Post Trump

Throughout human history, there have always been those whose idea of utopia was them at the top, and the rest which, in some way, served them. At different times, and in different places, they have had varying degrees of success. But the success they had, and the damage they had done, generally tended to be localized, and relatively short-lived. That has changed dramatically over the last 40 years. 

When I first started voting, the sum total of American media was 3 TV networks, radio, and your local newspaper. The local TV stations, even though they were affiliated with a major network, were still owned by someone, or some local company. In fact, back then it was illegal for any one person or corporate entity to own more than 7 media outlets. That changed with Reagan, who deregulated, well, pretty much everything. Now virtually all media both in America and in much of Europe is owned by three multinational corporations, who either own them outright or are major stockholders. I'm not waxing nostalgic here. All in all, we're still better off with the greater access to information that we have, at least for now.

But now we are saturated with information, much of it dubious, and left without the time (and for some of us, the will) to ensure its accuracy. We're provided with personalized content that panders to our likes and prejudices. It's understandable in some ways. While I wholly enjoy an animated debate, I'd rather not see things that are hateful or offensive.

Back in 2016, I feared that Trump would lay the groundwork for some other, more competent despot down the road. Those fears are being realized as I write this.

The Chonology of Crazy

Some may have wondered why I haven't posted in so long. I've certainly had more than enough material over the last couple of years. But rather than fighting against the crazy, I worried that I was contributing to it. Definitely not my intent.

When Trump became President, I lost it. My faith in my fellow Americans was shattered. A Republican was bad enough, but I could have handled that. But this? This vile, racist, misogynist, inept, mentally ill clown? A man so racist that he's trying to erase all evidence of Obama's Presidency.

To me, his election was an act of sabotage, perpetrated by a class of entitled white people who have absolutely no idea how bad things can get. I must admit that there's a part of me that hopes they find out. However if that happens, everyone loses.

Someday, fairly soon I think, the American people will 'disappoint' Donald Trump. It could be anything. The lack of deference by some aide, or the mockery of some late night comedian. This, along with Trump's low self esteem, lack of impulse control, lack of competence, and the pressures of the job will combine to snap him like a twig. If that happens, and if he isn't stopped then and there, people will die. The damage he will do will be far flung and indiscriminate. After all, his contempt for all Americans, even his base, is palatable.

I hope it doesn't get to that point. The damage he has already done will take generations to overcome, if it's even possible. We have a lot of work to do.

Absent

I took time off, and thought about scrapping this blog entirely. At the time, I felt that there were more than a sufficient number of old men, waxing philosophically about what’s wrong with the world. It felt somehow selfish, and less than constructive.

Before the internet, this would have been true. It would have been nothing more than a single voice, irritating friends and family.

Over the last year or so, I’ve engaged in many debates - Politics, religion, crime and punishment, and a number of other topics. Some were excercises in futility. Others were lively. Still others were incredible learning experiences. I’ve changed a few minds, and had my own changed.

I’ve even had meaningful exchanges with trolls, once the name-calling was dispensed with. It’s hard work, and requires a pretty thick skin. More often than not, it ends up being a complete waste of time.

But there are those rare occasions when the walls come down, and real communication takes place. I can’t speak for anyone, save myself, but in my opinion, it’s eminently worth it.

This technology has allowed us to exchange ideas in a way we had never been able to before. All the barriers that existed before – cultural, political, economic, social, and geographic – have essentially been rendered obsolete.

Sure, it’s dirty, and messy, and we’ll probably screw it up in ways we can’t yet imagine. But it’s my belief that the end result will be a positive one.

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