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If you had to choose RIGHT NOW... [View this email in your browser]( The following email is really important, so we're sending it to you again in case you missed it last time. Think freely and question everything, including Facebook's motives. I have an important question for you: if you had to choose RIGHT NOW, would you rather rely on corporate sell out mainstream media to keep you updated about the world, or [support]( independent media like The Mind Unleashed for a few bucks a month and continue to have free access to a perspective that isn't dictated by big money or special interests? If you’ve been a reader of The Mind Unleashed for virtually any length of time, you’re likely well aware of the challenges that independent media is facing. Social media and [those who act behind the scenes]( ([including the U.S. government]( don’t want you to think freely. They don’t want anyone to question the narratives they feed to corporate, mainstream media and they give preferential treatment to those giant media conglomerates that parrot government talking points. In yet another example of the hypocritical treatment we face, our very own web editor and admin of our Facebook page has been banned from posting, commenting, and sending messages for seven days for the terrible "community standards" violation of.. you might want to sit down.. quoting former president Ronald Reagan. Yes, our very own Aaron Nelson, is unable to post, comment or send messages for a week because he quoted Ronald Reagan, a former U.S. president who happened to be a racist. Aaron quoted the former president when sharing [an article]( on The Mind Unleashed, aggregated from Common Dreams, and inspired by a very popular New York Times article. Simply typing Reagan's name into Google shows just how hot this topic is right now. While yes, the quoted words were quite disturbing, they weren't being shared along with the words "I agree!" The quote was simply copied and pasted directly from the article, an act that people engage in across the internet millions of times per day. Aaron appealed Facebook's decision but was not given the opportunity to type any information. The appeal was processed and denied within seconds, after which Aaron was then given the opportunity to type an explanation that no one will likely see and that, according to Facebook, will not change the outcome of the decision. Aaron is now unable to do his job for seven days. How many careers have been ruined by Facebook in the last few years? From journalists to photographers and local restaurants to local bands—it's safe to say Facebook doesn't care who or what they destroy in their quest to please those behind the scenes. As a reader of The Mind Unleashed you may have noticed a reduction in posts to our Facebook page since this happened. It's true that we have posted a little less as we deal with Aaron's absence and make some changes to everyone's workflow to account for it, but we're also dealing with something else at the exact same time. As I already mentioned, as a fan of independent media you're likely well aware that we're being censored constantly and from every direction. It isn't only us. We see our friends letting writers go, cutting back on their output, or shuttering their operations completely. It's a terrible thing to witness in an age when we need the truth more than ever. Over the last couple of years, despite our follower count growing to over 9 million on Facebook (WOW!), some of our posts only reach a few hundred people. That isn't organically possible. It doesn't make any sense until you watch our traffic in realtime, next to Facebook's analytics, and witness where they literally pull the plug on posts. Articles that would have brought 1000s of readers to our website a few years ago now manage to bring 100 within the first few minutes and often that drops to less than 5 within an hour. Nine million people want to see our content, but only a few hundred people make it our website. That's the harsh reality we're dealing with. The Mind Unleashed employs a team of web editors, copy editors, graphic designers, journalists and more and, as frustrating as it is, we rely on Facebook to drive traffic to our website in order to earn revenue from those pesky ads. But if you don't see our posts on Facebook, chances are you aren't making it to [themindunleashed.com]( and that means we earn $0 and can't pay our staff. We have plans up our sleeves to remedy these problems, but when we're constantly being hit with new obstacles from Facebook, like the banning of our web editor and our reach being completely decimated following the democratic presidential debates, we often don't have enough time in the day to move forward with these new ideas. This is where you come in. Whether it's The Mind Unleashed or another independent media outlet, please make visiting websites daily a part of your regular routine. Do not rely on social media to be the middle man because social media doesn't want us to reach you. You wouldn't go to a Best Buy that hides the product you want in the dark basement when you could just get what you want down the street, from the source. Don't let Facebook, or any social media outlet, manipulate what you see, read, and do. Take charge and don't be bullied. Support independent media so we don't have to rely on revenue from those pesky ads. We know you don't like those ads. We don't like those ads, but until we get the ball rolling in other areas we're stuck with them. You can [support us here]( on Patreon for as little as $1 per month. A little goes a long way. If you already use an ad blocker, we could be like those well funded mainstream media outlets that literally force you to pay to access their content or turn off your ad blocker, but we're not. And we're not going to do that. We believe that you have a right to know what's happening in the world and we encourage other outlets to republish our work for free. News shouldn't be for profit, but news outlets do have to cover operating costs. If you use an ad blocker, toss us a couple of dollars every month [on Patreon]( to make up for it. If you've made it this far I want to thank you for standing by our side. We hope you'll tell your friends about The Mind Unleashed and educate others about the obstacles that independent media outlets are constantly facing. If independent media disappears—which it very well might—the government and corporate narratives will be the only ones out there and that's not something I'm willing to let happen easily and you shouldn't either. And in case you haven't heard: we're incredibly grateful that you've signed up to receive our newsletter and that you trust The Mind Unleashed. In solidarity, Emma Editor at The Mind Unleashed If ordinary people really knew that consciousness and not matter or material possessions is the link that connects us with each other and the world, then their views about war and peace, environmental pollution, social justice, religious values, and all other human endeavors would change radically. We seek to disseminate and inspire out-of-the-box thinking and act as a catalyst for people to discover the limitless potential that exists inside us all. The tools and information you see on the Mind Unleashed are used for research and educational purposes only. You are encouraged to think freely and question everything. Think freely and question everything. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Website]( Our mailing address is: The Mind Unleashed P.O. Box 2033Chula Vista, CA 91912 [Add us to your address book]( You're receiving this email because you signed up! Want to change how you receive these emails? [update your preferences]( [unsubscribe from this list](