Kogout, N: Happy New Year (1918)
Publisher: Lit. Izd. Otdela Politupravleniia Revvoensoveta Respubliki
NYC Public Library Collection: Harold M. Fleming papers
Russian Revolutionary Era Propaganda Posters

This writing week began with the most innane act a government can ever engage in, the violation of a neighboring country's territorial integrity. Make no mistake, this was nothing other than a forcible rape of decency; however the perpetrators might argue their innocence. I figure the act will just render them that much easier to impeach when that time comes, and it's definitely coming. I was wrestling with saying "No!" and making it stick before acknowledging that Flurries of useful information fall in even the otherwise most innane social media scrolling. I noticed how what was once news has turned into Speculation, then realized that I scroll my social media searching for Validation. Why have I been searching so for validation? I concluded that I have been actively Procrastinating, if that concept isn't too contradictory. I set about unprocrastinating, by which I mean that I started doing something I'd been actively avoiding. That felt better. I ended this writing week marveling at how social media encourages people to Make rather than take Sides. Thank you for following along!

Weekly Writing Summary

No-ing
“…I’d take my marbles home while mumbling ”Good riddance!” under my breath.”
This Unscrolling Story finds me reading a truly terrible novel but unable to put it down.
This Unscrolling Story reflects on the nature of power, suggesting that true authority lies with those who can say “No” and make it stick, rather than with those who merely grant permission or control resources. Drawing from my project management experiences and current political events, I observe that reality often undermines plans and intentions, and that power frequently emerges from unexpected places. The piece concludes with personal reflections on the difficulty of disconnecting from ongoing news and the broader impacts of lost trust and withdrawn support.

Rembrandt van Rijn: Self-portrait ( c. 1628)

——

Flurries
“Then I feel glad for my little social media addiction.”
This Unscrolling Story confesses that I’m still intermittently scrolling and that it’s even a useful activity sometimes.
This Unscrolling Story explores the complex, addictive nature of social media scrolling. I acknowledge that while scrolling can be distracting and sometimes harmful, it also provides access to valuable and timely information, often in ways that weren’t possible before digital platforms. I compare the compulsion to scroll to other addictive substances, noting that the benefits and drawbacks are intertwined. I reflect on the struggle to practice moderation, admitting to repeated lapses and the difficulty of staying away from the “scrolling pit.” Despite its risks and frustrations, the experience sometimes yields genuine, important news, leaving me both wary of and grateful for my social media habit.

Claude Monet: Sandvika, Norway (1895)

——

Speculation
“I work much harder now, trying to become informed.”
This Unscrolling Story recounts how “the way it is” morphed into propaganda and Speculation.
This essay examines the transformation of news media in the United States, tracing the decline from fact-based reporting to speculation and entertainment. I argue that the rise of cable news—particularly Fox News (“Faux News”)—and later social media, replaced traditional journalism with opinion, propaganda, and Speculation, blurring the line between fact and fiction. As news outlets prioritized entertainment value and partisan viewpoints, public understanding fragmented, and reliable information became harder to find. I lament the loss of trusted, global perspectives and acknowledge that staying informed now requires skepticism, effort, and reliance on less authoritative sources, with no guarantee of actually grasping “the way it is.”

Unknown Artist: Color Reconstruction: Ahuramazda in the Winged Disk (21st century reconstruction of 5th century BCE original)

——

Validation
“I doubt that heaven awaits those who get saved from pursuing their purpose.”
This Unscrolling Story stumbles upon my originating purpose for starting to scroll.
This Unscrolling Story reflects on my increased use of social media during the isolation of the pandemic, emphasizing that my scrolling was not simply a waste of time but a search for information, connection, and, most importantly, validation. Social media became a crucial tool for maintaining communication, sharing experiences, and feeling seen during a period of loneliness. I contend that the pursuit of validation qualifies as a natural, ongoing need—more like regular nourishment than a problem to be solved. Rather than viewing scrolling as merely addictive or negative, I conclude that it’s a meaningful, if sometimes compulsive, part of my life, fulfilling important emotional and social needs.

Hendrick Martensz. Sorgh: The Lutenist (1661)

——

Procrastinating
“Progress is Procrastinating, finally turning outwards.”
This Unscrolling Story finds me identifying a plausible source motivating my scrolling: Procrastinating. I have much work to complete, it seems. Scrolling might amount to shirking.This Unscrolling Story explores my need for validation through social media, tracing it back not only to pandemic isolation but also to my overwhelming backlog of uncompiled manuscripts. I describe a long-standing habit of daily writing and the daunting, procrastination-inducing task of compiling and editing these works into manuscripts. Scrolling social media becomes a form of distraction and reassurance, helping to avoid facing this massive chore and its associated anxieties. Ultimately, this story suggests that procrastination often leads to facing the avoided work—despite the challenges—after some frantic, unproductive activity. It can be a step toward progress and satisfying a creative legacy.

Allart van Everdingen: Reynard disguises as monk and distracts cock
Series/Book Title: Reynard the Fox [Reinecke Fuchs] (17th century)

——

MakingSides
“…they create the losers they compete with…”
This Unscrolling Story considers how social media seems to depend upon participants MakingSides, creating eternal dichotomies rather than resolving or integrating anything.
This Unscrolling Story reflects on how social media fosters division and opposition rather than cooperation. I observe that people have adopted a habit of “MakingSides,” turning discussions into battles where winning is valued more than understanding. This dichotomous mindset encourages defensiveness, argument, and a scarcity mentality, degrading true conversation and mutual understanding. As a result, social media interactions often become addictive competitions, entertaining for some but ultimately reinforcing conflict and preventing genuine connection or consensus.

Dorothy Dehner: Family Group (1954) © Dorothy Dehner Foundation for the Visual Arts

——

After Epiphany
Realization might visit in an instant, but the energy released was usually built up over a much longer period. A year ago, the US economy was reportedly the envy of the rest of the world. Nobody envies it today. Anyone who wondered how our incumbent managed to bankrupt every business he touched shouldn’t be surprised when realizing that he’s turned his primary skill on us. I might have chosen the worst time possible to wean myself off of my social media feeds, just when the most credible end-of-the-world scenario in my lifetime starts unfolding. I feel curl-up-in-the-fetal-position-under-my-bed dread; defenseless. I consume news and innuendo with almost equal zeal, as if information acts as a vaccination against an encroaching infection. I know it doesn’t. If anything, it amplifies vague feelings into even greater clarity without hinting at any resolution strategy. I’ve continued my writing routine like I’ve continued breathing. I gain Nothing from undermining the foundation upon which I’ve so long relied. I even decided to double down this week, dedicating fresh energy toward finally compiling the balance of my series into actual manuscripts. This should be a near-perfect activity to overwhelm me into activity After Epiphany.

©2026 by David A. Schmaltz - all rights reserved

Tags: #Unscrolling, #PureSchmaltz