Mutie Swag

(I'm mainly just copy-pasting from a previous post about this topic.)

"Finland is not real" sounds as ridiculous as "birds aren't real". So it's just a harmless joke, right? But not everyone will know the context of the joke. Most people making this joke know nothing about Finland's history or relationship with Russia (or Sweden, but that's less relevant). Even ridiculous lies start feeling truthful when repeated often enough and can be used as the first step for bigger lies.

Today people are joking that Finland isn't real. How silly! Let's keep the joke going! So what about when in five years' time Russia starts pushing propaganda to the West saying Finland isn't a legitimate country, just like they've been doing with Ukraine? The idea is already in your head in the form of a "harmless joke."

It's not funny to question a nation's existence and sovereignty, even as a joke, especially not now.

If Finland isn't real, then Finns aren't real people. If Finnish isn't a real nationality or a real ethnic group, then "they're just (confused) Swedes (or perhaps even Russians)." Both Sweden and Russia are historically Finland's oppressors.

Here's Russian state media saying "it's all ours, of course" in reference to Finland and some other countries.

Here's Russian state media saying they "want the Russian Empire", which would include Finland. Although, the guy immediately follows up by calling for genocide against Finns (and Poles).

Here's a Russian state official calling for the invasion of a bunch of nations, including Finland, because it's "all our lands."

To quote @lurks-no-more from the post linked: Taken by itself, it's mostly harmless… but it's part of a broader flood of misinformation and disinformation that pervades the internet, and contributes to the blurring of objective reality. And that is dangerous, because it can and will be used by bad actors and authoritarians to spread their hateful lies and bullshit.

As @mint-ty points out regarding the post linked earlier: There's also a big misconception that all fake info has a purpose. While in reality a lot of it is just thrown around randomly to see what sticks. The key point is to find what resonates and what can be utilized further. So if jokes about the lack of sovereignty resonate with any of you - well. You might be susceptible to more than just this.

Here's also a whole video about the topic:

Neurodivergence refers to variations in neurological functioning that diverge from what is considered typical or "neurotypical." While there is no single, universally agreed-upon list, neurodivergent disorders generally include conditions that affect cognition, behavior, perception, or social functioning.

1. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) (controversial as a separate diagnosis)

Asperger’s Syndrome (outdated term, now part of ASD)

2. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD (Predominantly Inattentive Type)

ADHD (Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type)

ADHD (Combined Type)

3. Learning Disabilities & Processing Disorders

Dyslexia (difficulty with reading and language processing)

Dyscalculia (difficulty with math and numerical processing)

Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing and fine motor skills)

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Visual Processing Disorder (VPD)

Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD)

4. Intellectual Disabilities

Global Developmental Delay

Down Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome

Williams Syndrome

Prader-Willi Syndrome

5. Communication Disorders

Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder

Speech Sound Disorder

Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Selective Mutism

6. Tic Disorders

Tourette Syndrome

Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder

Provisional Tic Disorder

7. Mental Health Conditions Often Considered Neurodivergent

Schizophrenia Spectrum & Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia

Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Delusional Disorder

Mood Disorders with Neurological Features

Bipolar Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (long-term cases cause atrophy in brain regions like the hippocampus)

Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder)

Anxiety & Related Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (sometimes considered)

Panic Disorder (sometimes considered)

Trauma-Related Disorders (sometimes included)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (when it significantly alters cognition and sensory processing)

Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Personality Disorders (Not all PDs)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Schizotypal Personality Disorder (StPD)

8. Sensory Processing Differences

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) (not formally recognized in DSM-5 but widely acknowledged in neurodivergent communities)

9. Epilepsy & Neurological Conditions (sometimes considered)

Epilepsy

Migraines with Aura

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

10. Other Conditions Sometimes Considered Neurodivergent

Hyperlexia (advanced reading ability with comprehension difficulties)

Synesthesia (cross-wiring of sensory experiences)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) (due to high comorbidity with neurodivergence)

Autoimmune Encephalitis (when it affects cognitive function)

indian residential school survivors society (BC)

toronto indigenous harm reduction (ON)

native women's resource centre of toronto (ON)

water first (nationwide)

indspire (nationwide)

miskanawah (AB)

ma mawi wi chi itata centre (MB)

manitoba indigenous cultural education centre (MB)

native women's shelter of montreal (QC)

native friendship centre of montreal (QC)

first light (NL)

thank you for the info!!

first light (merchandise store only; unfortunately there is no direct donation link that I could find)

nfc montreal (updated)