video } from "Images May Disturb You", the blog of Georgia Mason, entry #002

[choosetruth]

Hello.

[Georgia is sitting, unsmiling, at her desk, but her laptop is closed in front of her. There's a window open--she keeps them closed most of the time but she recognizes the value of being well lit when you're on camera. It means she has to be wearing her sunglasses, but that's nothing new either. She's almost never seen without them.]

I'm working on an article about the effectiveness of imPorts, especially superheroes, in establishing long-term positive change. If you consider change to be a goal, I would appreciate if you could take a few minutes to talk to me on the record.

[She adjusts slightly, leaning forward, her hands steepling in front of her.]

Whether or not you are actively working for it, I am also interested in hearing what would, to you, qualify as a positive change. I am aware of how subjective a topic it is. I do not intend to make a statement in any direction until I've gathered as many facts as possible to build my opinion.

Thank you for your time.

Comments

video;

[kanyounot]

It can be small and specific, yeah.

How else do you find out about people? Talk to them. Get to know them. Try to understand where they come from and what are the circumstances of their lives.

Not too different from what you're doing right now, as a matter of fact.

video;

[choosetruth]

Perhaps not. [She doesn’t quite smile, but there’s the very slightest softening of her expression.] I am trying to change the world in my own way as well.

video;

[kanyounot]

I thought maybe so.

And I think there are about as many ways to change the world for the better as there are people willing to try.

video;

[choosetruth]

Perhaps. [Her expression hardens again.] But not everyone agrees on what qualifies as "better." And not everyone thinks through consequence even if their idealist hearts are in the right place.

video;

[kanyounot]

That sounds like it's coming from a place of personal experience.

video;

[choosetruth]

I'm a political blogger. [Her voice takes on a twist of irony.] I've seen some people wholeheartedly embrace some truly terrifying ideals.

video;

[kanyounot]

People can do that pretty easily. Believe really obvious lies as long as they don't have to see the evidence every day, decide that good is bad and bad is good, justify horrible acts in the name of "order"...

[ Oh yeah, he's seen it all. ]

video;

[choosetruth]

Even if they do see the evidence.

[The expression on her face resembles a smile, but there's nothing remotely happy about it.]

Fear makes people foolish and easy to control. The only antidote is reliable, accurate information.

video;

[kanyounot]

I agree. In my own world, the government has gone to a lot of trouble to keep people misinformed and in the dark about its atrocities. It's the hardest part about fighting them, in some ways.

This world isn't free of propaganda, but we have a lot more of a voice here.