I am publishing a series of posts on how Putin's ill-fated war on Ukraine has exposed the dysfunctions of autocracy as a political system. The first one (read or listen to it here) examined how the low-input, high-paranoia environment of the "inner sanctums" autocrats like Putin create contributes to ill-considered decisions—the war on Ukraine being a spectacular example.
Welcome back. I am so glad you posted these, especially the Atlantic piece. I have received many questions about you when leading folks to that article. The new year has started off in full run. With Merloni in, eyes now turn to Lula and Bolsonaro. Question is, will Bolsonaro step down and will the elections be legal. In my own State, many have taken on the fight and we are seeing a turn. Folks I talk to are actually asking what is Fascism, hopeful sign. At this point, I am grateful for any reprieve we get. I am not so foolish to think it will last. On a personal note, I bought 2 books last week. "The 1619 Project", Nikole Hannah-Jones and "The Art of Worldly Wisdom", Baltasar Gracian. One book is by a Black woman, written in 2021 and paints the truth of life. The other, was written in 1647 by a Spanish Jesuit and paints the truth of life. There are many experiences in life, objective and subjective, and then there is truth. We are living in an age of unbelievable truth, that has been distorted, twisted and lied about. Many are standing for the truth, in this undeniable time of darkness. Almost 50 yrs ago, a book, "The Need to Question", in an intro Philosophy class, was like rocket fuel for me. When we stop questioning, we have exhausted the subject and come to truth. The alternative is to accept the narrative and to live in and support the world in darkness. This forum, if one lets it, demands the need to question. Fascism can be like rocket fuel, for those who dare. We must question our presuppositions and narrative. Thank you good Dr. You are very busy since the truth of your book.
How interesting to read 2 books on the same subject (truth), written 1647/ 2021 -- and also from perspectives of a black woman and then a Spanish Jesuit. There can be many vantage points but there is only one truth to me. I am hopeful too, it seems the many more people now understand the term 'fascism' and 'authoritarianism' . Just a few months ago, that was not so. Progress in our messaging. Also people are talking about a threat to democracy, . . .that there is a serious threat of something going on, even MAGA-leaners are less reactive, it seems. Lost some of the wind from their sails, a bit less bluster. We just keep flooding the zone with truth, diversity & plurality. 40 days.
What happens with the ascent of fascism, is the need by its leaders to put out an atmosphere that objective truth cannot be known (postmodernism). From there, they foster the idea that opinions are just as viable as facts (post-truth). Once this unreality foundation is set into place, the leader can effectively convince followers that what he says is the truth, and then lie with impunity. Since outsiders have been demonized by the leader, they cannot possibly be correct. Suddenly, truth only comes from within their clan/party. This is essentially what Trump has done and why his followers are so stuck in a mental quagmire. Once they have decided what the truth is, they have real cognitive dissonance when trying to see the REAL truth. Most are unable to see the real truth and double down on their original belief (The Backfire Effect). This is why fascism is so insidious.
Excellent, could not agree more. Your point is exactly where we come into play. We, are the "Rote Kapelle", the "White Rose", the Resistance. We, who do not bend the knee to, "The Corruption of Reality." It will become harder for folks, as you say. I expect the rising NAR Dominionist movement to take the religious lead in this country, as well as Europe. It won't take long for the Evangelicals to jump on board, en mass, due to, again to use your words, the "Cognitive Dissonance." A "miracle" or two, and Fascism and religion will merge. Most pieces are in place, we have to wait and see. A few experts to look up on this would be: Anne Nelson, Samuel Perry, Jenny Cohn, Dave Troy, Brian Wilson and Annika Brockschmidt. All, are at the top of their game. Gonna be a fun year my friend.
Agree we are the resistance, protectors of curiosity, critical thinking and truth. While it sounds serious, and it is --- we are also helped in our resistance by lightheartedness & fun with the arts, visual, plays, films, music which spur curiosity and thrust internal & external thought and further innovation. Speechless tools that lighten our load. It's like when people say something "moved" them . . . that is what we are after. Personal persuasion is difficult work, need a crash course on!
Serial gaslighting., with attention to timing. You whip up and confuse the public so much, that the gaslighter's false narrative becomes a buoy/ life-preserver that people cling to, out of mind-blowing confusion, fear and exhaustion -- while as average Americans they try to work, cook, do laundry & carpool.... the 'easy' answer looks like a life-saver. I believe we must re-educate people on the advantages of slowness of democracy which allows compromise and the honing of the best solutions to complex problems. (Analogy: Fast food is fast, but is good for us?) And democracy should look to perhaps refine & speed up its processes, if possible (thereby appealing to the fast fooders so they don't go the other way completely). Democratic processes typically work at a snail's pace ---- however, President Biden's first two years have offered a template for change.
The pro-democracy movement needs to continue to sharpen skills to anticipate and stay one-step ahead and be ready to strategically respond with false narratives, using communication experts with significant psychology background. The intersection of the internet has allowed for advanced gaslighting. I still believe we can right-the-ship in the information arena. Gaslighting is cruel.
Welcome back. I am so glad you posted these, especially the Atlantic piece. I have received many questions about you when leading folks to that article. The new year has started off in full run. With Merloni in, eyes now turn to Lula and Bolsonaro. Question is, will Bolsonaro step down and will the elections be legal. In my own State, many have taken on the fight and we are seeing a turn. Folks I talk to are actually asking what is Fascism, hopeful sign. At this point, I am grateful for any reprieve we get. I am not so foolish to think it will last. On a personal note, I bought 2 books last week. "The 1619 Project", Nikole Hannah-Jones and "The Art of Worldly Wisdom", Baltasar Gracian. One book is by a Black woman, written in 2021 and paints the truth of life. The other, was written in 1647 by a Spanish Jesuit and paints the truth of life. There are many experiences in life, objective and subjective, and then there is truth. We are living in an age of unbelievable truth, that has been distorted, twisted and lied about. Many are standing for the truth, in this undeniable time of darkness. Almost 50 yrs ago, a book, "The Need to Question", in an intro Philosophy class, was like rocket fuel for me. When we stop questioning, we have exhausted the subject and come to truth. The alternative is to accept the narrative and to live in and support the world in darkness. This forum, if one lets it, demands the need to question. Fascism can be like rocket fuel, for those who dare. We must question our presuppositions and narrative. Thank you good Dr. You are very busy since the truth of your book.
How interesting to read 2 books on the same subject (truth), written 1647/ 2021 -- and also from perspectives of a black woman and then a Spanish Jesuit. There can be many vantage points but there is only one truth to me. I am hopeful too, it seems the many more people now understand the term 'fascism' and 'authoritarianism' . Just a few months ago, that was not so. Progress in our messaging. Also people are talking about a threat to democracy, . . .that there is a serious threat of something going on, even MAGA-leaners are less reactive, it seems. Lost some of the wind from their sails, a bit less bluster. We just keep flooding the zone with truth, diversity & plurality. 40 days.
What happens with the ascent of fascism, is the need by its leaders to put out an atmosphere that objective truth cannot be known (postmodernism). From there, they foster the idea that opinions are just as viable as facts (post-truth). Once this unreality foundation is set into place, the leader can effectively convince followers that what he says is the truth, and then lie with impunity. Since outsiders have been demonized by the leader, they cannot possibly be correct. Suddenly, truth only comes from within their clan/party. This is essentially what Trump has done and why his followers are so stuck in a mental quagmire. Once they have decided what the truth is, they have real cognitive dissonance when trying to see the REAL truth. Most are unable to see the real truth and double down on their original belief (The Backfire Effect). This is why fascism is so insidious.
Excellent, could not agree more. Your point is exactly where we come into play. We, are the "Rote Kapelle", the "White Rose", the Resistance. We, who do not bend the knee to, "The Corruption of Reality." It will become harder for folks, as you say. I expect the rising NAR Dominionist movement to take the religious lead in this country, as well as Europe. It won't take long for the Evangelicals to jump on board, en mass, due to, again to use your words, the "Cognitive Dissonance." A "miracle" or two, and Fascism and religion will merge. Most pieces are in place, we have to wait and see. A few experts to look up on this would be: Anne Nelson, Samuel Perry, Jenny Cohn, Dave Troy, Brian Wilson and Annika Brockschmidt. All, are at the top of their game. Gonna be a fun year my friend.
Agree we are the resistance, protectors of curiosity, critical thinking and truth. While it sounds serious, and it is --- we are also helped in our resistance by lightheartedness & fun with the arts, visual, plays, films, music which spur curiosity and thrust internal & external thought and further innovation. Speechless tools that lighten our load. It's like when people say something "moved" them . . . that is what we are after. Personal persuasion is difficult work, need a crash course on!
such a good explanation, thank you Steve.
Thank you Ruth for the military perspective, new for me, and timely too. Shows patterns to learn from.
Great piece. So, sounds like there is no old folks home for dictators.
Serial gaslighting., with attention to timing. You whip up and confuse the public so much, that the gaslighter's false narrative becomes a buoy/ life-preserver that people cling to, out of mind-blowing confusion, fear and exhaustion -- while as average Americans they try to work, cook, do laundry & carpool.... the 'easy' answer looks like a life-saver. I believe we must re-educate people on the advantages of slowness of democracy which allows compromise and the honing of the best solutions to complex problems. (Analogy: Fast food is fast, but is good for us?) And democracy should look to perhaps refine & speed up its processes, if possible (thereby appealing to the fast fooders so they don't go the other way completely). Democratic processes typically work at a snail's pace ---- however, President Biden's first two years have offered a template for change.
The pro-democracy movement needs to continue to sharpen skills to anticipate and stay one-step ahead and be ready to strategically respond with false narratives, using communication experts with significant psychology background. The intersection of the internet has allowed for advanced gaslighting. I still believe we can right-the-ship in the information arena. Gaslighting is cruel.
oops, correction: respond TO false narratives
Such an insightful and comprehensive conversation you had with Mary Trump!! Absolutely phenomenal!!