Annette Simmons
annettesimmons.bsky.social
Annette Simmons
@annettesimmons.bsky.social
Author of Territorial Games,” “A Safe Place for Dangerous Truths,” “The Story Factor,” “Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins,” and “Drinking From A Different Well: How Women’s Stories Change What Power Means in Action.”
My grandmother was ten when women earned the vote. She gave me letters to type and send to the President. The Constitution promised her voice mattered no matter who she voted for. It also saved money, avoided power struggles (so inefficient!), and solved problems without the wasteful infighting.
February 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM
February 11, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Democratic lawmakers Don Beyer, Chris Van Hollen and Jamie Raskin deserve a donation for showing up for USAID. Maybe some of our other lawmakers will get the message.
February 3, 2025 at 9:52 PM
10 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back

10. Discrediting Game: Call out corruption. Name names. Keep up the cartoons. Do public art. Performance art is both effective and therapeutic.
January 29, 2025 at 6:55 PM
10 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back

9. Powerful Alliances: We have very few billionaires, but we ARE the majority. Invest in relationships, build coalitions, nurture each other’s energy to keep resisting. Strengthen the ties that bind. Develop “assets.”
January 29, 2025 at 6:55 PM
9 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back

8. Shunning: This tactic is so dehumanizing; I can’t recommend it. But Eleanor Roosevelt knew how to fight it: “No one can make your feel inferior without your consent.”  Show up anyway. Refuse to be belittled. Comfort the shunned.
January 29, 2025 at 6:54 PM
8 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back

7. Manipulate Information: In our case, un-manipulate disinformation. Tell true stories with vivid details. Fact-check and report false info. Subscribe to truth teller newsletters. Sabotage disinformation providers. (talking to you, cyber geniuses)
January 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
7 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back

6. Invisible Walls Game: Bullies know a thousand ways to corrupt our positive agendas:  tone of voice, secret meetings, pull funding, sabotage “implementation.” We can use these games to corrupt their corrupt agendas. Make edicts impossible to implement.
January 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
6 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back
5. Strategic Non-Compliance Game: When you can’t say no, saying yes doesn’t count as consent. Build shadow systems. Do good deeds in secret.
January 29, 2025 at 6:50 PM
5 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back
4. Camouflage Game: No matter what they ask, point them in the wrong direction. Return chaos for chaos. Be creative. Communicate with your art. Every distraction buys time.
January 29, 2025 at 6:49 PM
4 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back

3. Intimidation Game: Don’t allow intimidation to silence you. Mostly it is an illusion. Keep speaking. We can use intimidation too. If you can, speak up. Lock eyes. Risk more.
January 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
3 of 11 Ten Ways to Fight Back
2. Filibuster Game: Speak up, speak often, keep speaking even when tired – every delay helps run out their momentum. Rest and repeat. Monopolize airtime.
January 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
2 of 11

1. Occupation Game: Occupy space. Refuse to leave. Protect status information, and relationships. Take pictures. Withhold information if necessary. Provide sanctuary. Assemble. Tell true stories!
January 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
TEN WAYS TO FIGHT BACK
In my 1997 book, Territorial Games, I identified ten territorial games people use to grab power. I prefer collaboration and suggested ways to de-escalate the games.  But with democracy at stake …If you are ready to go toe to toe, here are some ideas. 1 of 11 posts…
January 29, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Plato taught about the limitations of democracy with a story about a ship lost at sea. The Navigator knew how use a map but the majority of the crew was mesmerized by the confidence of their boastful captain who belittled and then ignored the Navigator.
January 17, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Reposted by Annette Simmons
Billie Eilish and Finneas, Joni Mitchell, Lady Gaga, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Katy Perry, Green Day and Jelly Roll will be part of the lineup for FireAid, the first fund-raising mega-event to support fire relief efforts in the Los Angeles era.
Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell and Lady Gaga Set for FireAid Benefit
The concert, which also includes Dave Matthews, Katy Perry, Stevie Nicks and more, will take place on Jan. 30 at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
www.nytimes.com
January 17, 2025 at 5:11 AM
December 10, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Coldplay “ALL MY LOVE” featuring Dick van Dyke!!

Amazing!

Talk to me.

youtu.be/o4OlL0OpbW8?...
Coldplay - ALL MY LOVE (Official Video) (Directors' Cut)
YouTube video by Coldplay
youtu.be
December 8, 2024 at 11:06 PM
My sweet Katee from Ireland!
December 8, 2024 at 9:52 PM
Girlfriend boots!
December 8, 2024 at 9:51 PM
Just signed on. How yall doin’?
November 24, 2024 at 10:13 PM