PLUS : ARE YOU A "HORSE THIEF" OR A "SPECIALIST IN EQUINE PROCUREMENT & RESALE?"

Would a "Specialist in Equine Procurement & Resale" called by any other name sound as professional? I use that example to help provide some food for thought about the meaning of words... because words DO have meanings. Also, please don't let the horse photo or opening line confuse you, this post is NOT about horses.

FEAR-MONGERING, PROPAGANDA, & CHOOSING TO REACT TO THEM

There is a reason why I do not have a television and why I do not watch "the news." I fear that a level of these tactics has plagued many of the trending posts here on steemit recently.

I'll not recap the whole Justin Sun / Tron / Steemit inc / Ned / STEEM Blockchain / Witnesses fiasco here, but I will make a few statements about the current state of affairs.

1 - Emotions are Dangerous.

A lot of emotional people are reacting, writing, over-reacting and etc around here right now. When someone becomes over-emotional, reason usually flies out the window. Be careful as people attempt to motivate you with an appeal to your emotions. Using words and phrases that appeal to emotions is a very effective tactic to get people to do what you want them to do. Again, be careful. Keep your cool and attempt to use reason.

2 - Wait for Facts Before Making Important Decisions

As far as I know, some actual facts may have finally surfaced. If you receive hearsay or listen to the speculation of others and treat them as concrete facts, you run the risk of reacting to an imaginary scenario. This can be dangerous.

3 - Watch out for Propaganda and Fear-Mongering

By now, people should be able to recognize things like propaganda and fear-mongering. The Main Stream Media uses these tactics because they are effective, and ultimately they are attempting to control our thoughts and actions. Just because you've turned the television off, doesn't mean that you will not be exposed to these things. It is my belief that I've seen a lot of these lately, and it's unfortunate. Even people that we look up to and trust can be guilty of these, whether intentionally or accidentally. It is up to us as individuals to watch out for such things, and not be manipulated by them.

4 - Choose Your Words Wisely

In the "horse thief" vs. the "equine procurement and resale specialist" scenario, please understand that these are two ways of saying the same thing. One sounds much nicer, and perhaps a horse thief would prefer to be referred to as the latter, but that doesn't change who he is or what he's up to. Although there is a difference in the wording, both of these phrases are applicable and true. Things become worse when false claims, labels, accusations, etc are raised. I would recommend feeling free to get creative with accurate wording, but refrain from choosing to say things that are not true, and if you are speculating, then present it as such, rather than presenting your speculations or interpretations as facts.

5 - Do What You Can, and Steem On

Honestly, even after the hour long conversation with Justin Sun (video above) the reality of this current scenario is still hazy, and the facts are difficult to discern, even if everyone is being honest, which is not always the case. Anyone on steemit has an interest in the future of steemit and anyone holding STEEM should be very concerned about what's going on.

We need to proceed with caution and choose wisely how we discern the truth, and how we respond to what we believe to be going on. For the moment, I'll keep posting and voting for witnesses, and I recommend that others do the same.

Until next time…

Make today special!

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