A great deal of harm is being perpetrated on purpose by people whom it feels charitable to call villains. You personally individually on your own cannot meaningfully take action to prevent it all. You can see much more evil than you can personally prevent. And that is just an immensely disheartening consequence of our incredible access to information.

This doesn't mean do nothing; it means don't try to do everything. Pick the work which feels most meaningful first. Your efforts are so much more powerful focused in one place than spread among dozens. You can become extremely proficient at the specific sort of good you do. That also lets you empower and uplift others who want to work on the same challenges to which you are dedicating yourself.

But this also does not mean that visible less-practical gestures of support have no value. You can only dedicate your time and effort to a few focused tasks. But you can show others focused on fighting other aspects of our dystopia that their work is valued and loved. Simple symbols like a sticker, a poster, a sign in a window — these remind others that they too are doing work for their community.

My first task continues to be putting on my own oxygen mask. There is just so much freaking paperwork involved with being trans. And I want to keep every single document in perfect order because… well you know why. And it's so expensive. Certified copies and application fees add up fast.

And that's before even thinking about making sure I have an extended, reliable supply of medication. Insurance only covers a few months at a time, but the consequences of suddenly running out of some medications include super dangerous side effects and a significant chance of sudden death. Which focuses the mind somewhat.

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