At the very start of COVID. When many of my online and IRL friend groups started internalizing what I now recognize as Russian/Chinese influence ops (which were being spread by unwitting Western Useful Idiots – Conservatives and Libertarians)
They started not just opposing lockdowns, but actively spreading virus: no mask, it’s just a flu, CDC is lying, Fauchi is an idiot, etc.
It felt like being in a burning building. I grabbed my family, ran for the exit by cutting ties with the Influenced, and left them to burn. Now many of them are utterly consumed by propaganda and no longer recognize reality. 😢
At the very start of COVID. When many of my online and IRL friend groups started internalizing what I now recognize as Russian/Chinese influence ops (which were being spread by unwitting Western Useful Idiots – Conservatives and Libertarians)
They started not just opposing lockdowns, but actively spreading virus: no mask, it’s just a flu, CDC is lying, Fauchi is an idiot, etc.
It felt like being in a burning building. I grabbed my family, ran for the exit by cutting ties with the Influenced, and left them to burn. Now many of them are utterly consumed by propaganda and no longer recognize reality. 😢
I lost one in much the same way. It still hurts.