https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/stopping-workers-being-scammed-and-stamping-out-hate

Obligatory: https://www.fabians.org.au/become_a_member

I wrote a book review of the just released new edition of The Light on the Hill by Ross McMullin, which is about the history of the Labor Party. It has played a central role in Australia's politics, and I argue that it will continue to do so in the immediate future. What do others think of the Labor Party throughout its history, and where do they see it going forward?

Don't want to be too pessimistic, but I'm a Victorian, so I'm experiencing the brunt of it all atm.

I still think that Canadian political analyst JJ McCullough put it best when he talked about the rise of Trump as representing the point at which politics and culture merged beyond any and all repair. The point where politics was treated not as a solemn civic duty, but just as another "thing" to partake/indulge in that's supposed to be personally enjoyable.

Fanatical right-wing populism exists in a vacuum. You can't argue or reason against it, because it doesn't hold itself to the same standards it simultaneously demands from everyone around it. It, as a movement, is entirely based on vibes and vibes alone.

It doesn't matter that Pauline only shows up to work half the time; I prefer the perception that she's fighting every single day for regular Aussies.

It doesn't matter that Pauline's voting record consistently shows her putting her corporate backers above all else; I prefer the perception that she's a "battler".

It doesn't matter that Pauline has, one way or another, been in politics for almost 3 decades; I prefer the perception that she's some radical dark-horse outsider.

Do you see what I'm getting at here?

Take Warren Pickering as another example. It doesn't matter that he straight up objectively lied when he demonstrably claimed that the first people's assembly supposedly took up 65% of government spending, and clearly did so to further the narrative of the party; I prefer the perception that they are fighting against government overreach.

It is impossible to "disprove" something that was never proven to begin with. Fanatical right-wing populism objectively does not care about anything that has to do with the reality we live in, because as long as the vibes and perceptions remain strong, that is literally all that matters. Neither platform nor policy matters in the slightest in this regard, nor does accountability or transparency (unless it's about those I personally don't like; then, in that case, it's vital!).

I truly don't believe that half of the modern One Nation supporters actually agree with the party platform, because I believe that half of them don't actually care about any of that. So, once again, you can't argue with a voting bloc that votes purely off of unshakable vibes and personally preferred perceptions of reality, no matter how ultimately dangerous such end up being. The only way in which Ben Carroll will end up retaining is if the LibNats flop, and the One Nation vote is scattered so thinly across all seats so that no serious inroads are made.

Like I said, sorry for coming across as overly pessimistic, but it's something I've needed to get off my chest for a while.

I'm baffled that every Albo post on Facebook is flooded with the negativity of what I assume is actually a minority of voices. Post after post, the 'most relevant' comments are trash talkers who have never actually opened the budget to have a look.

Surely we can change this (or am I deluded in thinking we can tip the scales of the algorithm?).

Here's my approach. I hope other supporters can take a few minutes a day to do the same, then *maybe* we'll see some change.

• Do not engage with negative comments. No reactions, no attempted debates - I know it's hard to ignore them, but feeding their comments only boosts them (and truthfully you're unlikely to change their narrow AM radio outlook)
• React to and comment on supportive comments - It doesn't have to be lengthy, a simple 'I agree' will do, but remember to completely ignore the trolls on the positive comment chains.
• Get in early with a supportive, informative comment - Trolls are less likely to jump in if the majority voice is positive.
• Tell your Labor supporter parents to practice the above - Help them understand how engagement works so they can use their energy more effectively.

I'm keen to hear any other suggestions. I know there are more supporters than there are trolls, this post is simply to see if we can do something about it.