What are simple things you are doing to help yourself and your neighbors right now? (US)

A lot of people are overwhelmed, and that is the point of the rapid fire changes we are seeing. Small actions can make a difference, and can grow into big impacts.

I live in a deeply red state, so a lot of my peers have to battle some cognitive dissonance before we can acknowledge there is a problem, much less begin to pin down actions that may help. So, I’m focusing on teaching my social circle on the tech basics. I have taken these things for grated, but I am finding many people do not use them. Plus, they don’t have to battle their cognitive dissonance with me in order to make these changes. Changes that will make everyone on the Internet safer and ensure we have information access to stay informed.

  • Install a VPN - talking about it helps to normalize this. It doesn’t mean “I have something to hide” it means “I need to protect my privacy in an ever increasingly online world”. It means “I need to make sure my banking passwords stay secure.” If it is normalized for everyday use, then when somebody needs it to obscure their search for critical healthcare information that is now censored in their country or area, their VPN usage alone doesn’t give them away.

  • Install a password manager - this one is best practice anyway, and good advice across the board. These things do not need to be equated with being a hacker.

  • Establish secure lines of messaging - I recommend signal to people. This one has a high social cost, but you may be able to point out that normal text group chats often drop messages when the group has mixed apple and android users. YMMV and this one is a harder one for many people. I don’t push it too hard. I do censor myself on unencrypted messaging. If you want all the memes, you can join me on encrypted chat! Lol

  • Secure chat doesn’t have to be signal if you’re on android, and you message others on android, note if you have the encryption lock or not. If not, encourage them to look in their settings for RCS messages and make sure they have encryption turned on.

Also, start small. And teach small. Plant the seed. Help get people set up where you can. If people as for your advice, think about suggestions that are easy to implement, even if they aren’t perfect. Encourage others to do what they can. You don’t need to self-host your own cloud server to take steps in the right direction and be a little safer online. We just need to slow them down.

  • guaraguaitoEnglish
    5·
    6 hours ago

    I’m bedridden so I can’t do much. But I buy lots of antifacist and activist stickers and give them to friends so they can stick them around the towns and cities we live in.

  • Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    3·
    6 hours ago

    Any news or info I feel is not reaching the masses, I try to spread. I’m also prepared for as many scenarios as I can think of. I should probably buy more rice.

  • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
    10·
    10 hours ago

    Went to the protest yesterday. Lot of people were afraid so I wanted to show them it is still safe.

    I’ve also been doing a lot of local organizing and I’ve made good friends with some really amazing people through that process. Even though our activism is more focused on the local scene than the national I think the bonds we are building with each other and our communities will be the most important thing if things continue to worsen.

  • Nougat@fedia.ioM
    26·
    13 hours ago

    • I saw some old dude in a fast food restaurant wearing a MAGA hat, so I said “Hey look, a Nazi!” Then I had an audible conversation with my tablemate about why I have no problem with making people who advertise their fascism uncomfortable.

    • Every time my kids have friends over, I make a point to tell all of them that they are welcome in our home anytime, and if they ever find themselves feeling unsafe, they can come here and be made to feel safe.

    • I actively and vocally oppose discriminatory policy ideas in my HOA.

    • I practice regularly with my pistol at a range. I have some “protest gear”.

    • I participate in an online community for like-minded people to encourage and share ideas about what is possible.

    • I have enough camping/bushcraft gear that I could bug out for a few days if I really had to, or make up some of the difference in case power goes out for an extended period of time.

    • xorollo@leminal.spaceOP
      2·
      1 hour ago

      Even if you have enough gear for you, get extras. Lots of your people nearby may not know how to do those kinda of things, and may rely on your expertise. I know I would need to.

      • Nougat@fedia.ioM
        2·
        56 minutes ago

        Ha, I didn’t say I had “expertise.” I can definitely get a flame from a ferro rod and the spine of my knife. I should practice processing firewood and tying knots. Needing to build an ad hoc shelter is less likely, since we have tents and cars.

        • xorollo@leminal.spaceOP
          2·
          49 minutes ago

          Haha, friend. You may not feel like it’s expertise, but I’m telling you, your information is valuable and not everybody knows it. We all need to learn on others right now for many reasons. Keep it up, and you’re making a difference whether you realize it or not.

  • Maeve@kbin.earth
    11·
    14 hours ago

    I’ve been looking at Delta chat.

    Blessings box, little free library, trying to start community garden