This Halloween, reality is serving up plenty of scares
Fears that Twitter will increasingly become a platform that peddles unaccountable disinformation and hate speech appear to be well-founded, writes Harriet Williamson
What’s scaring you most this Halloween? I’m willing to bet that it isn’t ghosts or a bloody slasher flick or even the prospect of having to interact with your neighbour’s sugar-hyped offspring.
For many households, the scariest thing is opening your gas and electricity bill. Or any bill, really. The squeeze on living standards is affecting millions of people across the UK, and supermarket essentials are becoming more expensive, driving up the price of the weely shop. Food prices are rising at the fastest rate for 42 years – that’s enough to frighten anyone.
For renters like me, it’s terrifying to think that your landlord could decide to kick you out any time in a “no-fault eviction” or, when you’re looking to renew your tenancy, could decide to hike your rent so that you’re forced to move (again).
The medium-term fiscal statement has been pushed back until 17 November, and it is expected to include spending cuts that will ravage Britain’s already depleted public services.
On a global scale, we are seeing frightening levels of political and economic instability – from the devastating war in Ukraine to the Trumpian threat of far-right contender Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, who – despite his defeat – could take a leaf out of the Trump playbook and cry electoral fraud, destabilising the country and triggering a wave of political violence.
Then there’s the brutal hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of US House of Representatives speaker Nancy, on Friday. According to a study by the Anti-Defamation League, right-wing extremists have committed around 75 per cent of the 450 political murders in the US over the past 10 years.
Many of us are experiencing a growing sense of “eco-anxiety” due to the climate crisis, which threatens the existence of all life on Earth. It’s exacerbated by the inaction of leaders – our prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is currently not even planning to attend Cop27.
Also worth mentioning is the Elon Musk Twitter buyout, which has now been completed. Previously banned accounts, including those of Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, Kanye West and Jordan Peterson, could be restored. Extreme far-right group Britain First is already back. On Sunday, Musk shared an entirely baseless conspiracy theory about the assault on Paul Pelosi. Fears that Twitter will increasingly become a platform that peddles unaccountable disinformation and hate speech appear to be well-founded.
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But where there is fear and darkness, there is also light and hope. I take heart from Sunday night’s election victory for Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; the people of Brazil chose indigenous rights, environmental justice and progressive politics.
We all have choices and opportunities that allow us to bring slightly more joy into this world, to see the humanity in others – and to stand up for the values of genuine connection, justice and inclusion.
Things might seem grim right now, but in the words of Critical Role’s Matthew Mercer: “Don’t forget to love each other.”
Yours,
Harriet Williamson
Voices commissioning editor