Risk Vs. Reward Of Online Battles
So if you have not noticed, I am slowly getting more and more into writing posts here and less and less sharing my thoughts on Twitter. I knew it was going to happen, and I also knew it was going to take a little time.
I have not enjoyed Twitter (I refuse to call it X) for quite a while. It is not just the horrible people. It is much more than that. It is how good people are swayed to agree with horrible people. Now, for posting sports cards, sharing sports card knowledge, and a post about depression, weight loss, or a personal victory…I like it.
But I keep thinking about “Risk Vs. Reward”. This is something that has been in my mind for a while. While I have struggled with so many things over the last few years, life is different now. Someone gave me an opportunity to shine, and I am doing everything in my power to prove them right.
With that, I look at my online life. I spent a ton of years telling Republicans to fuck off. What good did that do for me in the long run? None. The same people that cheered me on for that turned their back on me when I sold are or had a different view than they did on a topic.
Which also makes me wonder why do people think I, or anyone, has to be one dimensional on topics? The large liberal accounts do this. They never share their opinion. It is not financially advantageous to do so. They literally spout what you want to hear. I assure you, the topic that is big is Israel, and no matter what your opinion is, you will get attacked online. If you know me, you are well aware where I stand. But what point is it to share online with no gain only to be attacked by far left or far right users.
It isn’t
Ted Cruz posted a picture of him and his daughter at Game 2 of the divisional series at the Houston Astros game. I hate every part of Ted Cruz. The way he did not defend his family from insults from Trump, his views on the LGBTQ community, and his bad takes on women in this world. So I am quick to comment on his tweets, especially this because the Astros lost.
But his daughter is in the pic, and he is at a game. I held off because there are plenty more. But something was weird. In the comments, an extremely large liberal account who makes well in the upper six figures off followers made some off the wall comment about the price of the tickets. It was extremely inaccurate, and I wanted to comment on that.
But fuck Ted Cruz. I do not care about him
And this is where I realize none of this matters.
I have been online for over 15 years. I have gotten messages from people who have lost weight and my words have helped. I have gotten messages from people who have contemplated suicide and my words helped. I have gotten messages from people who look at my art daily, who have enjoyed what I have written for years from restaurants to helping others.
No one has ever messaged me about a political post. No one has ever thanked me about my stance on a war. Not one.
And I do not blame them.
It is safe to say that while I have not changed, I have started to see things without blinders on. I think there is more good in the world than I thought. There is more love than hate. And yes, there are devastating things that I have no control over and I cannot do anything about it.
I guess what I am saying is I am done with doing things that have zero impact. I want to spend more time doing things I can control. Supporting local elections through local help. Writing my thoughts for a small audience here. Large platforms are fun for sharing sports thoughts or good hearted parody accounts.
I am happy now. For the first time in years.
I am going to stay that way. And I am going to do things that the reward is worth the risk.
Fighting with others is not.