Meta, Fact-Checking, and My Journey to Mordor

This morning, I was hit harder than expected by the news that Meta is giving up on fact-checking. As someone who survived a war and witnessed the chaos of dictatorship and societal polarization firsthand, this feels like an ominous turning point. Part of me hoped I was overreacting—after all, my imagination has a knack for catastrophizing. But with billionaire after billionaire in the U.S. folding before any real pressure is even applied, it seems my imagination isn’t catastrophic enough.

A few months ago, I decided to focus on helping people who will inevitably end up worse off in the coming years. Why? Because one haunting memory from the last war still gnaws at me.

Near my university, there was an old woman begging. When I first saw her, she wore decent clothes and didn’t look particularly hungry. But day by day, her clothes grew more tattered, her frame thinner. At the time, I thought, I don’t have enough for myself—how can I give anything to anyone else? And then, one day, she was gone. Most likely, she starved to death.

To this day, I can’t forgive myself for not sharing what little I had with her. So this time, I refuse to let history repeat itself.

I will help others, even if it means risking my own comfort, safety, or even prosecution. I won’t cower in the face of evil or indifference.

I’m going to Mordor, metaphorically speaking, and I’m doing what needs to be done. Because if we’re all going to be swept into the chaos, I’d rather be on the side trying to hold the line.