Erik Scott de Bie
@erikscottdebie.bsky.social
He/him NG Rogue/Paladin, leftist, support BIPOC/LGBTQ rights, obvs. #NoGOP #NoMAGA
I write and stuff. Fantasy/Scifi/Horror/Superheroes
Check out the Justice/Vengeance series! erikscottdebie.com/bibliography/justice-vengeance/
I write and stuff. Fantasy/Scifi/Horror/Superheroes
Check out the Justice/Vengeance series! erikscottdebie.com/bibliography/justice-vengeance/
Like… c’mon, we can’t find another mid white dude with a beard to run?
Or better yet, a NON-white NON-dude with or without a beard?
C’mon.
Or better yet, a NON-white NON-dude with or without a beard?
C’mon.
February 13, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Like… c’mon, we can’t find another mid white dude with a beard to run?
Or better yet, a NON-white NON-dude with or without a beard?
C’mon.
Or better yet, a NON-white NON-dude with or without a beard?
C’mon.
Indeed.
No one who 1) had a Nazi tattoo, 2) was a prison guard at Abu Ghraib, 3) returned for more tours of duty, 4) joined Blackwater, 5) has a long history of racist/homophobic statements should EVER serve in public office.
Ever.
He can help organize, but he’s a liability running for office.
No one who 1) had a Nazi tattoo, 2) was a prison guard at Abu Ghraib, 3) returned for more tours of duty, 4) joined Blackwater, 5) has a long history of racist/homophobic statements should EVER serve in public office.
Ever.
He can help organize, but he’s a liability running for office.
February 13, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Indeed.
No one who 1) had a Nazi tattoo, 2) was a prison guard at Abu Ghraib, 3) returned for more tours of duty, 4) joined Blackwater, 5) has a long history of racist/homophobic statements should EVER serve in public office.
Ever.
He can help organize, but he’s a liability running for office.
No one who 1) had a Nazi tattoo, 2) was a prison guard at Abu Ghraib, 3) returned for more tours of duty, 4) joined Blackwater, 5) has a long history of racist/homophobic statements should EVER serve in public office.
Ever.
He can help organize, but he’s a liability running for office.
And no, not because I especially like Sanders—I don’t—but he is largely seen as the grumpy but lovable old grandpa of the left, and his mistakes damage the entire movement.
We’ve already dealt with enough of Sanders’ screw-ups. This one seems career-ending for him.
We’ve already dealt with enough of Sanders’ screw-ups. This one seems career-ending for him.
February 13, 2026 at 5:05 PM
And no, not because I especially like Sanders—I don’t—but he is largely seen as the grumpy but lovable old grandpa of the left, and his mistakes damage the entire movement.
We’ve already dealt with enough of Sanders’ screw-ups. This one seems career-ending for him.
We’ve already dealt with enough of Sanders’ screw-ups. This one seems career-ending for him.
Plattner just seems to be setting us up for failure.
Can we get genuine leftists who aren’t closet Nazis please? Thanks.
Can we get genuine leftists who aren’t closet Nazis please? Thanks.
February 13, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Plattner just seems to be setting us up for failure.
Can we get genuine leftists who aren’t closet Nazis please? Thanks.
Can we get genuine leftists who aren’t closet Nazis please? Thanks.
I asked for clarification. You came back with aggression, projection, and insults.
You’re not a serious person, and there’s no point engaging with you further.
You’re not a serious person, and there’s no point engaging with you further.
February 13, 2026 at 3:30 PM
I asked for clarification. You came back with aggression, projection, and insults.
You’re not a serious person, and there’s no point engaging with you further.
You’re not a serious person, and there’s no point engaging with you further.
Ok buddy, whatever you say.
February 13, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Ok buddy, whatever you say.
I’m not entirely sure what your point is here.
Sanders has plenty of flaws and some unexamined racist wiring. But he doesn’t have a totenkopf tattoo and he wasn’t part of Blackwater.
Sanders has plenty of flaws and some unexamined racist wiring. But he doesn’t have a totenkopf tattoo and he wasn’t part of Blackwater.
February 13, 2026 at 2:30 PM
I’m not entirely sure what your point is here.
Sanders has plenty of flaws and some unexamined racist wiring. But he doesn’t have a totenkopf tattoo and he wasn’t part of Blackwater.
Sanders has plenty of flaws and some unexamined racist wiring. But he doesn’t have a totenkopf tattoo and he wasn’t part of Blackwater.
And look. I’m a leftist. I believe people can and do change. He might even be sincere.
But Platner has never taken accountability. Never apologized. Never shown any sign of understanding what the big deal is.
We don’t need another Fetterman, Manchin, or Sinema.
But Platner has never taken accountability. Never apologized. Never shown any sign of understanding what the big deal is.
We don’t need another Fetterman, Manchin, or Sinema.
February 13, 2026 at 2:27 PM
And look. I’m a leftist. I believe people can and do change. He might even be sincere.
But Platner has never taken accountability. Never apologized. Never shown any sign of understanding what the big deal is.
We don’t need another Fetterman, Manchin, or Sinema.
But Platner has never taken accountability. Never apologized. Never shown any sign of understanding what the big deal is.
We don’t need another Fetterman, Manchin, or Sinema.
Iit is DEEPLY concerning to watch Sanders embrace this guy.
February 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Iit is DEEPLY concerning to watch Sanders embrace this guy.
It is deeply concerning to me that this Platner guy is even still running. What with the Nazi tattoos and the Blackwater resume.
And making him the face of leftism? Oof.
Obvious plant is obvious.
And making him the face of leftism? Oof.
Obvious plant is obvious.
February 13, 2026 at 2:16 PM
It is deeply concerning to me that this Platner guy is even still running. What with the Nazi tattoos and the Blackwater resume.
And making him the face of leftism? Oof.
Obvious plant is obvious.
And making him the face of leftism? Oof.
Obvious plant is obvious.
Taking a person to the hospital when she asks to go to the hospital is baseline human behavior, partner or not.
He isn’t her best friend. He doesn’t see her as a person.
He isn’t her best friend. He doesn’t see her as a person.
February 12, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Taking a person to the hospital when she asks to go to the hospital is baseline human behavior, partner or not.
He isn’t her best friend. He doesn’t see her as a person.
He isn’t her best friend. He doesn’t see her as a person.
Of course. Which is fine by them.
The thing is, GOP men hate all women, including GOP women.
GOP women are active participants in their own oppression.
The thing is, GOP men hate all women, including GOP women.
GOP women are active participants in their own oppression.
February 11, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Of course. Which is fine by them.
The thing is, GOP men hate all women, including GOP women.
GOP women are active participants in their own oppression.
The thing is, GOP men hate all women, including GOP women.
GOP women are active participants in their own oppression.
You’re right. We’ve tried reason and logic, but they’re impervious to that.
Everything they support will hurt them, but they just can’t understand that their actions have consequences.
Everything they support will hurt them, but they just can’t understand that their actions have consequences.
February 11, 2026 at 10:31 PM
You’re right. We’ve tried reason and logic, but they’re impervious to that.
Everything they support will hurt them, but they just can’t understand that their actions have consequences.
Everything they support will hurt them, but they just can’t understand that their actions have consequences.
Considering that republicans don’t want women to vote, that actually makes a lot of sense.
February 11, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Considering that republicans don’t want women to vote, that actually makes a lot of sense.
I get my news from a reliable source
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 AM
I get my news from a reliable source
Bigotry is a mark of low empathy and intelligence. They assume everyone is racist because they can't fathom otherwise.
Racists live in a bubble. A bubble where it makes even a little sense to be racist.
If they didn't--if that bubble were to pop--they wouldn't be racists anymore.
Racists live in a bubble. A bubble where it makes even a little sense to be racist.
If they didn't--if that bubble were to pop--they wouldn't be racists anymore.
February 10, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Bigotry is a mark of low empathy and intelligence. They assume everyone is racist because they can't fathom otherwise.
Racists live in a bubble. A bubble where it makes even a little sense to be racist.
If they didn't--if that bubble were to pop--they wouldn't be racists anymore.
Racists live in a bubble. A bubble where it makes even a little sense to be racist.
If they didn't--if that bubble were to pop--they wouldn't be racists anymore.
Short of that literalizing magic power to absorb other's emotions, mundane human empathy is both an innate characteristic and a skill that can be taught and practiced.
Some of us are naturally better at it than others, which I think has to do with your neurochemistry, upbringing, and life status.
Some of us are naturally better at it than others, which I think has to do with your neurochemistry, upbringing, and life status.
February 10, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Short of that literalizing magic power to absorb other's emotions, mundane human empathy is both an innate characteristic and a skill that can be taught and practiced.
Some of us are naturally better at it than others, which I think has to do with your neurochemistry, upbringing, and life status.
Some of us are naturally better at it than others, which I think has to do with your neurochemistry, upbringing, and life status.
As noted, my superheroine Lady Vengeance is an empath. (Link in my bio.)
Not the kind of "I love people, I'm an empath" sort of self-professed identity, but literally she feels other people's emotions, all the time.
And she generally DOESN'T sympathize with people, but she's deeply compassionate.
Not the kind of "I love people, I'm an empath" sort of self-professed identity, but literally she feels other people's emotions, all the time.
And she generally DOESN'T sympathize with people, but she's deeply compassionate.
February 10, 2026 at 10:22 PM
As noted, my superheroine Lady Vengeance is an empath. (Link in my bio.)
Not the kind of "I love people, I'm an empath" sort of self-professed identity, but literally she feels other people's emotions, all the time.
And she generally DOESN'T sympathize with people, but she's deeply compassionate.
Not the kind of "I love people, I'm an empath" sort of self-professed identity, but literally she feels other people's emotions, all the time.
And she generally DOESN'T sympathize with people, but she's deeply compassionate.
Human psychology is complex, esp. emotions.
One does not have to empathize with someone to sympathize with their situation, nor does one have to empathize or sympathize to have compassion for others.
I can imagine situations where you can have any combination of these, or all three. Or none.
One does not have to empathize with someone to sympathize with their situation, nor does one have to empathize or sympathize to have compassion for others.
I can imagine situations where you can have any combination of these, or all three. Or none.
February 10, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Human psychology is complex, esp. emotions.
One does not have to empathize with someone to sympathize with their situation, nor does one have to empathize or sympathize to have compassion for others.
I can imagine situations where you can have any combination of these, or all three. Or none.
One does not have to empathize with someone to sympathize with their situation, nor does one have to empathize or sympathize to have compassion for others.
I can imagine situations where you can have any combination of these, or all three. Or none.
Obviously there's a lot of overlap with the terms "Sympathy" and "Compassion" there, and that's inescapable. Those concepts are all in the same cluster.
I think of it as:
Empathy: understands others' feelings
Sympathy: cares about others' situation
Compassion: cares about others regardless
I think of it as:
Empathy: understands others' feelings
Sympathy: cares about others' situation
Compassion: cares about others regardless
February 10, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Obviously there's a lot of overlap with the terms "Sympathy" and "Compassion" there, and that's inescapable. Those concepts are all in the same cluster.
I think of it as:
Empathy: understands others' feelings
Sympathy: cares about others' situation
Compassion: cares about others regardless
I think of it as:
Empathy: understands others' feelings
Sympathy: cares about others' situation
Compassion: cares about others regardless
Empathy on its own is not, of course, a substitute for actually being in actual community with marginalized people--communicating with, listening to, advocating for, and supporting them. That should be the goal.
But it is a gateway: a baseline level of common feeling we SHOULD strive to meet.
But it is a gateway: a baseline level of common feeling we SHOULD strive to meet.
February 10, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Empathy on its own is not, of course, a substitute for actually being in actual community with marginalized people--communicating with, listening to, advocating for, and supporting them. That should be the goal.
But it is a gateway: a baseline level of common feeling we SHOULD strive to meet.
But it is a gateway: a baseline level of common feeling we SHOULD strive to meet.
I think when people call on us to "have empathy," what they're asking is that we be able to *imagine ourselves* put in that scenario and consider how they might feel, not asking us to literally conjure emotions in ourselves, as an exercise in building a sense of community with marginalized people.
February 10, 2026 at 10:08 PM
I think when people call on us to "have empathy," what they're asking is that we be able to *imagine ourselves* put in that scenario and consider how they might feel, not asking us to literally conjure emotions in ourselves, as an exercise in building a sense of community with marginalized people.
This is a really interesting thread, well worth your read.
As I am currently writing a book about a literal empath (i.e. a superhero who can and does feel other people's emotions, whether she wants to or not), I find the formal vs. colloquial uses of the term fascinating.
As for the OP's question:
As I am currently writing a book about a literal empath (i.e. a superhero who can and does feel other people's emotions, whether she wants to or not), I find the formal vs. colloquial uses of the term fascinating.
As for the OP's question:
It’s interesting how the word “empathy” has replaced “sympathy” and “compassion” as an expression of fellow-feeling. Are the latter two too old-fashioned? Is it not enough to sympathize with others’ feelings—we have to feel those feelings with them? Or does “empathy” not mean that anymore?
February 10, 2026 at 10:05 PM
This is a really interesting thread, well worth your read.
As I am currently writing a book about a literal empath (i.e. a superhero who can and does feel other people's emotions, whether she wants to or not), I find the formal vs. colloquial uses of the term fascinating.
As for the OP's question:
As I am currently writing a book about a literal empath (i.e. a superhero who can and does feel other people's emotions, whether she wants to or not), I find the formal vs. colloquial uses of the term fascinating.
As for the OP's question:
That’s the thing, of course.
Fascism operates on aesthetics. Not logic, reason, analysis… just aesthetics.
It can’t convincingly pretend to be rational. It’s strictly vibes. Feelings over facts.
If you can’t understand the language, look at the vibes.
Because Bad Bunny’s vibes are immaculate.
Fascism operates on aesthetics. Not logic, reason, analysis… just aesthetics.
It can’t convincingly pretend to be rational. It’s strictly vibes. Feelings over facts.
If you can’t understand the language, look at the vibes.
Because Bad Bunny’s vibes are immaculate.
February 10, 2026 at 3:14 PM
That’s the thing, of course.
Fascism operates on aesthetics. Not logic, reason, analysis… just aesthetics.
It can’t convincingly pretend to be rational. It’s strictly vibes. Feelings over facts.
If you can’t understand the language, look at the vibes.
Because Bad Bunny’s vibes are immaculate.
Fascism operates on aesthetics. Not logic, reason, analysis… just aesthetics.
It can’t convincingly pretend to be rational. It’s strictly vibes. Feelings over facts.
If you can’t understand the language, look at the vibes.
Because Bad Bunny’s vibes are immaculate.