Consept

This is from https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-anti-vaxxer-playbook-to-destroy-confidence-in-covid-19-vaccines/ which documents how RFK jr and others led a campaign to take advantage of the covid pandemic and use that to increase negative sentiment around vaccines so that they can make money from it. I've only included some of the report but you can click the link for the whole thing. This is truly despicable behaviour imo because lives were on the line. To present this guy as someone who's going to save health when this was his reaction to a pandemic is completely nuts, it's like the chickens voting for the wolf to look after their safety. In early 2020 the CCDH put out a report entitled The Anti-Vaxx Industry which examined anti-vaccine social media, noting that 409 different English language anti-vaccine accounts had 58 million followers, with evidence that collectively, followers had grown approximately 19% since 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a booming business opportunity for anti-vaxxers and social media alike. The CCDH named four different sub-communities of anti-vaxxers: Campaigners are full-time, anti-vaccine professionals who may be seen as “experts”. They make a living based on promoting anti-vaccine sentiment and ideas. Their examples include: Informed Consent Action Network (Del Bigtree), Children’s Health Defence (Robert F. Kennedy Jr.), and the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC). Entrepreneurs leverage and amplify vaccine fears to sell content, products and services. Examples include Rashid Buttar, Ty and Charlene Bollinger, David Wolfe, Judy Mikovits, and the biggest, Joseph Mercola. Conspiracists focus on vaccines from a conspiracy angle, but vaccines are not their full-time focus. They may also be entrepreneurs. Examples they listed include Brian Rose, David Icke, and Patrick Bet-David. Communities are groups that share anti-vaccine ideas and stories, usually in Facebook Groups. Examples include “Stop Mandatory Vaccination”, “Vaccine Re-education Discussion Forum”, “Vaccine Choices”, and many more hidden, private groups. Certainly there is some overlap in these categories, and while I might quibble with their classifications, it’s worth acknowledging that anti-vaccine sentiment and rhetoric can be driven by a variety of motivations. While Facebook and other providers took some steps to address anti-vaccine sentiment after measles outbreaks in the US, the measures were largely ineffective in preventing its continued growth on the platforms. For example, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has touted COVID-related conspiracies since the beginning of the pandemic, has seen his Instagram following rise from 121,000 at the beginning of the pandemic to 792,000 today. He is just one example of the number of anti-vaccine advocates who have seen large increases in audience and reach. This type of growth is continuing largely unabated, probably because the CCDH has estimated that the anti-vaccine movement could be generating up to $1 billion in advertising revenue across the different platforms. Facilitating and spreading vaccine misinformation is highly profitable. The master narrative Despite the disparate group of individuals that are driving anti-vaccine sentiment, messaging has consolidated around a few key messages. NVIC’s virtual conference in October 2020 was accessible to anyone that registered, and CCDH attended. Prominent speakers included Barbara Loe Fisher (NVIC), Joseph Mercola, Del Bigtree, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Sherri Tenpenny, and Andrew Wakefield. CCDH noted that these speakers see COVID-19 as a historic opportunity: A number of speakers at the NVIC conference presented the Covid pandemic as an historic opportunity to popularise anti-vaccine sentiment. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told activists listening to the conference “All of the truths that we’ve been trying to broadcast for many, many years. There are people hearing it and the impact and those seeds are landing on very fertile ground.” The disgraced physician Andrew Wakefield echoed these sentiments, saying “The population who are aware of these issues has grown dramatically in the face of coronavirus, Covid-19. It is now an issue for discussion by everyone.” Other anti-vaxxers such as Sherri Tenpenny highlighted the Covid pandemic as an opportunity to build a wider movement with campaigners against masks and lockdowns: “We need everyone to get politically active, get behind this cause, get behind Hugs Over Masks, get behind MAD, Mothers Against Distancing, get behind the NVIC, the National Vaccine Information Center, get behind the things that we’re doing over at vaxxter.com, and Courses for Mastery, and our boot camp course that open enrolment is coming up again, the end of September. All the things that we’re doing, we need all hands on deck. We need everybody to release their fear from their brains, get rid of their masks, go hug people and absolutely say no. Wake up your community.” There are three key messages identified by the CCDH that are overlapping and common across these different speakers. They are recurrent and you will see them, in some form, in almost all anti-COVID-19-vaccine messaging: COVID-19 is not dangerous. Talking points: There are few deaths, and death reports are exaggerated. “It’s just the flu.” “It will just go away on its own.” COVID-19 vaccines are dangerous. Talking points: “The vaccines were rushed.” “The vaccines are killing people.” “Natural” immunity is better. Other treatments (e.g., hydroxychloroquine) are safer and better. “Vaccines are toxic.” “Vaccines will change your DNA/destroy your immune system.” etc. etc. Vaccine advocates cannot be trusted. Talking points: “It’s politics over health.” “It’s Big Pharma profits over health.” Vaccines are “too big to fail” and manufacturers are “not liable for injuries.” “Bill Gates! Bill Gates! Bill Gates!” Adapting the Master Narrative The Master Narrative is easily adaptable to target specific groups. The CCDH lists four, and describes how messaging is being modified to make the messaging more appealing: Alternative health advocates “COVID-19 is not dangerous” becomes “Alternative health products can prevent or treat COVID-19.” This is simply an extension of what we have documented repeatedly at this blog – the unending array of unproven or ineffective products touted as effective because someone has something to sell. “The COVID-19 vaccine is dangerous” is translated to “Alternative health experts say the vaccine is dangerous.” Another recurrent topic on this blog, where we have documented the efforts of naturopaths, chiropractors, homeopaths and other providers who do not practice based on scientific standards. Some of these practitioners are repeating misinformation and leveraging their perceived credibility as “professionals”. “Vaccine advocates cannot be trusted” becomes “Vaccine advocates suppress alternative health.” This is something that any health professional who advocates for science-based medicine hears all the time. By criticizing unproven or disproven remedies, we are dogmatic, not open to new ideas, and beholden to the pharma-industrial complex. Conspiracy theorists “COVID-19 is not dangerous” is translated to “COVID is a Scamdemic.” The message becomes: COVID-19 doesn’t exist, or has never been isolated. Or it’s all due to 5G. “The COVID-19 vaccine is dangerous” is translated to “The vaccine is designed to control you or kill you.” Vaccination (this one at least) will apparently usher in some sort of totalitarian society. Microchips in the vaccines (really tiny ones) will track you and cause mind control. “Vaccine advocates cannot be trusted” becomes “COVID is a Plandemic”. The pandemic was all intentional, to create the need for lockdowns and infringements on civil liberties. The vaccine will be used to kill millions as part of “The Great Reset” which will destroy the global economy.

I can't believe the state of US politics right now, it wasn't great before but it's actually scary how bad this could get and it's not even hidden at all, it's all so obvious

What I didn't realise is that rfk makes money from suing companies and he couldn't even commit to not getting money while and for 4 years after his term. He can still sue but not get money but that's not acceptable to him. America actually had a full pn dictator with the safety rails off, this is wild

yeah was gonna post this as well, he got destroyed but funny cos maga will still make excuses for him

Yeah first date simple almost pre-date, bar for a drink or coffee or shisha, cool place but not too expensive. I'd definitely pay the first date however it went, if it's buying rounds of drinks and they want to buy a round that's cool and prob a good sign. I wouldn't go for a meal or anything like that, it's more just getting to know each other and having a bit of fun

The weight loss is really impressive, 60kg is a whole human, so that would have made a massive difference anyway. But yeah you can't even tell she transitioned, there is a lot of make up going on though

Aww that's very sweet, thanks so much for your words🙏🏽 Also I didn't realise there was an actualized.org marriage, I'm kinda mind blown, but it's so cool you and @Marcel found each other on here and are so supportive of each other, really incredible and shows a massive benefit of spaces like this x

@Whitney Edwards Amazing 👏🏾 I think sometimes people don't really see your journey, they just see wherever you are now and I think it's really cool @integral noticed and pointed it out, it's such kind thing to do. But keep going, similar to downward spirals, upward spirals are also a thing and the more you work on yourself, the more good things and situations will arise and then they'll feed off each other. Well done x

I agree, in general the manipulation and the fact that it's usually someone who doesn't really know who they are or have good self-esteem to want non-monogamy, puts me off going down the road. What I tend to do is if we have lets say a date or meet up, if I can tell they like me but I don't really see them as a long term option or in the moment I just want something casual, I'll just tell them upfront. Something like right now 'I'm not really looking for anything serious but I'd still like to hang out and get to know you a bit better'. I maybe lying to myself lol but I feel like this gives them the option to back out or go with it and I haven't let them get to the point of catching feelings before making a decision, they're going in with their eyes open. I must say as well, most times I've done this they've been OK with it and we've actually had good but I guess sometimes short relationships. This actually hit for me, not that I think my parents hated me, but I would keep getting the message that I wasn't good how I was and in their eyes, step dad and mum, I needed to be different. What I've come to realise is that they have/had some real issues that they're still not fully aware of but I was under the impression they were 'normal' when I was younger, so because I wasn't crazy like them, I felt something was wrong with me. I didn't have the self-esteem and perspective to even think it could be them. Luckily I was able to give that love to my younger sister so her self-esteem didn't really suffer in the same way as mine and she could see pretty early on the situation. That's really good bro, I'm happy for you that you came out of it. Now you're like a non-monogamy love guru lol jk 😜

@gambler @Michael569 I appreciate you guys for putting me forward I just don't think I'd have the time to do the job justice unfortunately. But great picks anyway if I had to vote for one I'd go @CARDOZZO his posts are always good value. Would've said @Emerald as well but she's already said she can't do it. Regarding @NoSelfSelf can't say i didnt see it coming and i agree with @Leo Gura in that it does really degrade the forum and make Leo look bad for having him in a leadership role, so i wouldve made thevsame decision. Wish him all the best though and hopefully he does look back on this and see where he went wrong

Lol why is this so accurate? It could be how the pics are shot but yeah I had the same feeling

I havent done somatic therapy directly but i have done some of the elements myself like body scan, meditation etc. I have an app where it has trauma meditations and things like that, I probably dont use it as much as i could so i will try and do that at least. Thanks for the suggestion. Thats amazing that you managed to tackle something that was there for 30 years. I think being with women where i know it wont work or at least ive said that in my mind and to them even, gives me that get out when i need and means that theres no pressure on me to fully commit. In a way I've been scared of getting into a situation where i really like the person because then ill have to fully be in it. However i think through doing some of this work I am now more open to it and I dont think id be as scared now if it were to come along. This was the case for most of my life there was no real connection from immediate family, family members that i did get along with werent really around. So i was mainly left with my mum who has her issues as i explained and my stepdad who has extremely low emotional intelligence, again i have no issues with him but just speaking matter of factly. My mum also use to beat me as well, which is quite common in nigerian culture, im first generation to be born in the UK, in fact I think I was the first one on both sides of my family to be born and grow up in the UK apart from my scottish grandma. Its only the last few years after ive sorted some of these issues out where ive built really good friendships and am able to connect with more and more people. But for probably 30 years it was extremely difficult for me to do that. I also think previously, relationships were a kind of safe haven where i only needed to connect with this one person and could be shielded from the world a bit. So yeah its been a journey lol

Hey @Emerald thanks for your thoughtful reply Yeah i think there is some kind of repressed child dynamic, where essentially im looking for someone (a woman) to love me pretty much unconditionally, I also want to be 'special' in their eyes, so even if they do end up with someone else, it was always me they truly loved. I know how this sounds but I'm more just exploring these feelings rather than saying theyre right or wrong. Regarding my mum she had post-partum and OCD around not loving me when i was born and actually shipped me off to Nigeria to live with my auntie and cousins for 6 months when i was a baby. Apparantly when i came back I called my auntie my mum not my mum. She recently brought this up and apologised for it, but i actually hold no grudge against her, i did for a long time but this is something ive really worked on and am glad I dont feel any hate or negativity toward her. The second part of seeking out new partners, i not too sure about, in fact the issue is more I keep partners at arms length, iil even say upfront im not looking for anything super serious, which is how i feel, but then i will really get attached to the love thy show and like having them around, not always but just the idea of having someone in your corner. Whats counter intuitive is because im not as invested they get more attracted and end up really loving me but i still want to keep them at arms length. As i said probably because of what happened in childhood I feel like i dont want to fully let in someone who would not look after my emotions or would reject me or whatever. So i dont trust anyone to fulfill those needs and so id rather just have someone there and not let them in fully, not necessarily keep looking for new partners. Sex is also a factor as well, i want to have consistent enough sex but i need some kind of connection with the person. I do have an urge to just escape when i feel its too serious, i want to be free but then i also want someone there, which is not a great dynamic obviously. I sometimes also think whether I am just over thinking, like is it a case of just not finding the right one, obviously if i dont feel a situations right but im just in it cos it fulfills certain needs at the time, then obviously im not going to want it to get too deep. a few months ago i met a girl i think i really liked and it was just one night really, we didnt sleep together just kissed had fun in a club, but I kinda felt with her for whatever reason that i was willing to go deeper with her. It was more on her side where she probably wasnt looking for that at the time. But point being there are women i meet where I could see myself going further than just sex or a situationship type thing. How does one do this practically? I have dont IFS therapy with a therapist before and also some shadow work myself and i found it really useful, its what allowed me to forgive my mum and love myself more. But this relationship side of it seems to be a bit of a sticking point.

@Princess Arabia I don't think op is saying it's a good thing

There is something romantic I like about you and another person taking on the world, I also feel you can get deeper with one person than you would with seeing multiple at a time. I also feel like being non-monogamous and having multiple does inevitably lead to some kind of manipulation, even if you are upfront etc. So one of my things is i want to be as authentic as possible and I think you have to lose a bit of authenticity in non-monogamy although that can also be the case in monogamy. Just on a logistical aspect you have to spin a lot of plates and make sure you're giving attention to a lot of people, this can be hard even with one person let alone multiple. The other thing is that, for the most part the highest quality women are realistically going to want monogamy and so to have a 'roster' you do have to trade off having let's say not as high value women for them just being willing to be in that relationship. Right now I'm single and I have a few girls I could do this with but honestly I haven't fully taken that plunge. It's something I'm considering but then I don't know if I'd prefer to just go for a girl I really like.

I'm not necessarily arguing for not having kids I'm just saying it's not automatically some deeply spiritual thing to do, it can be of course but I can think of a lot of examples where I don't think those people shouldve kids. Someone could be biologically mature but not mentally mature or even have gone through trauma that can really damage the 'fruits'. As I say it can beautiful and amazing but so can many things in life.

Maybe but i think realistically everyone has some issues in terms of dating, so it wouldnt make sense to just not date, youd have to date to even expose and work on those issues. I couldnt just work on the issues indefinitely and then all of a sudden decide to date, I wouldnt have any experience dating and a whole new crop of issues might pop up. I think everyone feels the urge to have kids in some degree but im not sure its necessarily divine, one could even argue its selfish given that its another person to take resources when we're not exactly going extinct. But of course its a biological imperative we have built in. @RendHeaven Realistically i think what makes non-monogomy difficult is that we're all socialised toward monogamy, so if youre that different in society it just makes it difficult to implement on a wide scale. Also if there was non-monogamy it can create issues with les say the top % of men getting all the women pregnant and not being able to look after them. In small tribes this is fine cos the whole tribe looks after the kids but in western society it would lead to a lot of kids not being looked after sufficiently. My topic is more of an emotional connection argument, so i feel kind of at conflict with myself because i want freedom and connection and its hard to marry those 2 things. I'm probably similar to you in that im trying to find a way non-monogamy could work but it is difficult to do realistically. It feels like the options are either sleeping around or getting in a relationship.

I hear you, there can be a lot of cope for someone who chooses career over family, but then I also see a lot pf cope from people in families who are desperately unhappy but stay in mainly because they're afraid to leave but could also be because they're so tied up with each other, kids etc. In fact I'm my direct experience marriages that I've seen over the age say 60 are usually pretty bad. They may even show a great face to the public on social media and stuff but there's usually issues. Thinking about, I think if you are just a happy person, as in content with yourself, you'd probably be happy in either situation. I don't think a relationship necessarily makes you happy but it's something you can bring your happiness into. It could be argued there's more risk because if you choose someone who's not content with themselves they can bring you down. There's not really rules for monogamy or polyamory or whatever. You can have monogamous relationship that are extremely transactional and unequal. In fact that was the norm previously. If anything polygamous would be less transactional because you don't rely on one person for all your needs. I'm not even really arguing for polygamy but I just don't think it's as clear cut as you say

I would push back on this although I get where you're coming from. 1. Is that it's essentially a fear motivation, it's the ultimate fomo 2. There's no guarantee that you won't still end up lonely, there's a good chance you'd break up and if you do you may not have built the social relationships you would've otherwise 3. Legacy is kinda irrelevant once you die, also even if it is relevant there's an argument to be made that you can make a greater legacy without kids. I don't even necessarily disagree with you I'm just making an argument for the other side. I agree you potentially will get a lot more depth with one person over multiple, that is actually the best argument for me personally

It's interesting that a lot of people can relate, most of my friends are in ltrs or if not married with kids, that prob gives me a kinda fomo. Although when I look at their lives it looks so stressful especially with kids. It definitely can be lonely, however so can a relationship that goes sour. But I hear you, options will decline. That's an issue as well, most girls don't really want an open relationship, unless they're at a certain stage of life and if they are at that stage they will want to party and meet a lot of people. Another way it could go is if she really likes you, she'll go along with whatever you say just so she's stays around and the intention will be to wear you down, she won't necessarily do this consciously. So basically you run into a lot of issues doing this and I'm with you that you do have to compromise on things, it's hard though. Yeah that makes sense and then give yourself fully to each phase. Thing is I don't like randomly sleeping around, I do like to build a connection with the person and see them again, I just don't want them around all the time. I guess there isn't really an answer just pros and cons on each side. Part of me thinks are we just getting funneled into these traditional relationships by society? Like is that why it feels so difficult for a lot of people and flat out doesn't work for a lot of people in it? I'm more than open to me being the issue as well but I have always felt this pressure to find the 'right one'. Maybe I will come across someone who changes everything, who knows.

Man it's tough, there's pros and cons for each. But doing the player thing kinda feels like if you're travelling and you just make friends for that place and then you don't really see them again and then you make friends in a new place etc it's very transitory. Like you just dip in and out of someone's life. What road are you going down? I think we're around the same age

Yeah I think it's a latin American cultural thing, they're generally just more emotional, touchy feely and family orientated. Of course much more in touch with their sexuality, in Europe its a lot more colder and behind the scenes or joked about, but south America is matter of fact about it.

I agree but it's a seperate issue

This was really powerful Trump gas reacted to it and he wasn't a fan

I mean it's not just attempted murder, it's industrial level drug trafficking as well as facilitating countless crimes. The issue is more of setting up a detterent for others to setup a similar business, 10 years would probably be worth it for a lot of people if you're gonna make millions. Keep in mind there are lots of people doing time for much less severe crimes, there are many that are even legitimately innocent, but because of bureaucracy they're still in jail. I don't really get tje defence of this particular guy who knowingly committed these crimes and was found guilty. The only reason people are defending him now is because Trump pardoned him, can you imagine the uproar if Boden pardoned him?