Look, I get it. I can be pretty extreme, and pretty inflammatory, on some issues, at times. Which is odd, really, when you consider that I'm probably fairly close to a political "moderate", as compared to some of you.
I care far too much about certain things. Perhaps I value individual freedom more than you do. Fine. Perhaps I have less to lose than you do. Fine. Perhaps I trust the government less than you, and trust the cops, and courts, less than you do. Also fine.
But, with all that in mind, I must say that I'm finding some of the comments and posts, from some of you here, in recent days and the last couple of weeks, really do come across like some sort of... Controlled demoralisation, or something.
"Obey the law, bruh". "Think of your family, bruh". "Your job is more important than your freedom!". "They mean well!". "The pendulum always swings. It'll all be ok in the long term!". "Think of the collective good, dude!" "At least you're safe!" "You don't want a criminal record, bruh!"
I see all of this shit, and more, all over posts on this "community", now. And I really never thought I would see that, from here. Just the... Sheer amount of fear porn, and of "We should obey the government" is really quite... Disconcerting. And some of it is even coming from those of you who I normally find myself agreeing with, at least partly...
So here's my request: this isn't Reddit. Stop being so damn afraid of your respective governments. Stop being afraid to step on official toes, and to work outside the fucking law, in particular the emergency powers that these megalomaniacs have given themselves. Stop telling others to be afraid, or "You really don't wanna do that, bro". Sure, call out violence. Do not do that shit. But telling people to comply, and to just... Suck it up, and play along? You're better than that, or at least, you should be.
Sure, we need to be smart about this, and disobey in ways that are effective, and necessary. But to think the law will protect you, or that you should just play along, to keep the status quo, because you "value your job" so much? Well, I'm sorry, but that just ain't gonna cut it for some of us, anymore.
I get it. I think the primary cause of misunderstanding the aus gravity is just that we're all primed to hear stuff about the USA, since that seems to be a major culture war hub of the world (some say we export it to other nations). And I suppose a bunch of us may be americans.
I also understand something I think you said earlier, about how you doubted how bad things were at first. That's some kind of psychology thing I've forgotten the name of, but it isn't limited to geo-politics or culture wars. It can be a very bitter pill for a person to accept that something wrong is happening. A symptom of civility, perhaps; we're all ready to put on our social masks and go to training camp or the factory, then come home for beer and tv because that's what "happiness" is and we can tough out any compromise for that baited hook.
The older guys often chime in to remark that things have been getting bad much longer than each of us has noticed - then we all start doing history research and associated rabbit holes of education.
I wonder if the world is starting to notice aus-land? Or if people remain wrapped up in their own local problems (which is understandable to a degree).
Just keep doing the best you can, bro. Not much other advice I can give. Your efforts will compound within yourself to grant you strength within and without that will aid you in the trials to come (and if by some miracle, the trials never come, you can enjoy your strength in peace). If you can obtain allies, even better. We might give some good advice here, but remember we can't substitute a real friend that has your back.