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I’m not a political journalist, so was gladly surprised at the community I found here last night. To Americans anxious about the upcoming elections, a key thing we learned in Brazil that might help you: DO NOT engage with the far-right online. Don’t share rage bait. Amplify your people. Ignore them.

After the first round elections, Congressman André Janones created a WhatsApp channel titled “Lula’s Army.” It ballooned to 10 million people following his commands on how to behave online to counteract Meta’s far-right-favouring algorithms. The right knows how to use socials. We must learn, too.

Some ground rules that have helped us: - Go outside your bubble, try new social media channels - Don’t underestimate the power of WhatsApp (although less so in the U.S.) - Post on the Instagram grid, not just stories - Watch every Instagram video until the end before sharing - IGNORE THEM

I don't use the other social media chanels. I know this site is a left leaning bubble but unlike other sites it doesn't push rancid opposing views in your face to provoke responses. Twitter became an absolute sewer following Musk's acquisition.

I haven’t posted on Twitter since Musk joined Trump’s government but I kept my account there to have access to real-time intel on what’s happening in Brazil and, in that sense, it is still useful. But very much a cesspit of hatred and the breeding ground for those algorithm-chasers on the right.

I think we are contending with the question: Should left-leaning/liberal Americans be on Twitter? What do you think, Ross?

That may be true for America or Western nations in general, but developing nations use Twitter extensively.