I think you're missing several things. First, if the phenomenon is accurate, and it is, then the burden is on you to figure out how to stop getting played. Don't ask other people to solve your problems. Recognize your problems, and then work to solve them directly.

Second, the spoiler effect doesn't exist unless you're in a swing state. But how many Americans were told that they have to vote for Harris or they're supporting Trump, when in fact their state was nowhere close to 50/50 so realistically they could have voted for anyone?

Third, there is no single leftist community. There are many different leftist communities that overlap and agree on various points. Also, you're suggesting that leftists are idealist, but that's not the truth. We all recognize the current situation, and we're trying to make a better one, but you're not. In other words, your cynicism has caused you to throw in the towel, and to accept the current reality as permanent, unchangeable, it sucks but there's nothing you can do, and that's certainly true if you believe it.

[–] Mr_Fish@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

then the burden is on you to figure out how to stop getting played. Don’t ask other people to solve your problems

Sorry, but how the fuck did you get to that opinion? Sharing knowledge and ideas is how humanity thrives, but unless I'm misunderstanding you you're saying that we should each individually find a solution to the problem we are all in together.

the spoiler effect doesn't exist unless you're in a swing state

The spoiler effect will always exist to some extent in any FPTP system. Sure, it won't make nearly as much difference in a one sided state as it will in a swing state, but the effect still exists, and makes it much harder for a better party to gain traction while not losing a lot of ground in the mean time.

how many Americans were told that they have to vote for Harris or they’re supporting Trump

The people that didn't believe this and so didn't vote are probably the reason that Trump won the popular vote, and that the republicans have a majority in the senate and the house.

you’re suggesting that leftists are idealist, but that’s not the truth

Acting like "voting for the lesser evil is evil and therefore unacceptable" seems pretty idealist to me. I'm well aware that most people here are aware of how shit the world is, and are doing their part to improve it, which is something I appreciate and want to support. It's just that from what I can tell, the recent US election was the wrong place for idealism.

we’re trying to make a better one, but you’re not

Sorry, mate, but don't assume. I'm not american, I'm kiwi. And since we don't have a completely shit voting system, I always vote as a huge idealist and never vote for one of the big two, because in MMP that's not a wasted vote.

your cynicism has caused you to throw in the towel, and to accept the current reality as permanent, unchangeable

No. I've just accepted that, at least for this cycle of US elections, the better approach would be playing defensive. It's not that the current reality is unchangeable, it's that positive change will be very slow.