Each appearance of fascism in history is different ("When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross” - not actually said by Sinclair Lewis, but often attributed to him). But your latest post is a good reminder that certain psychological conditions are common to all fascists no matter what country they are from. Perhaps, then, there are good lessons in how to resist fascists that we can glean from history - though unfortunately, one of those lessons seems to be "Don't try to convert the fascists or win them back; just exclude them and deny them power, instead, letting them wither rather than helping them redeem themselves." Not an inspiring strategy, per se, but probably our best bet for saving American democracy.
Though I imagine if Sinclair Lewis wrote "When fascism comes to America, it will be hugging and kissing the flag and carrying a bible, upside down,” people would have thought he was on a drunken bender. But there we are.
My Sister is in the cult but would vehemently deny it. We haven't spoken since I discovered she once again voted for tRump and we had a few words. I have thought about trying to get her to leave the maga cult but frankly I know it would be not work. So be it.
Yup. The worst part of all cults is their persistence. Once a mind is captured by any cult, breaking free is only possibly through mindful focus, for life. It’s like any addiction; backsliding is very easy. Doing it alone is extremely hard. “Cults Anonymous” may be the next self help group with meetings, steps, sponsors, etc.
I'm reading your essay, and I'm really intrigued and enjoying it, but then I read the part where you said Trump signed an EO for "Office of American Metrics". Was this satire? If so, you did a poor job of indicating it. I can't find anything on the web about this office, so it seems false. Let me know if I'm misunderstanding something.
You're right to ask. The 'Office of American Metrics' isn't a literal agency. It’s a rhetorical device, a symbol of how truth is being reengineered through executive overreach. I re-worked the paragraph, and took it out completely because it didnt fit with the paragraph and the actual EO.
Ok, I see you did change that. I'm a pretty literal person, so it might be on me. But one of my biggest fears is this administration starts manipulating data.
A background in psychology. I didn’t see much concrete evidence or context to plausibly make the case. But I agree you’d have a better case with a Rorschach test. Maybe one that shows Trump’s side profiles facing each other. That would certainly tell the tale right down to the year, month, day, hour, minute and second that the national fascist transformation is complete.
This is what the John Birch Society tried to sell about a communist party takeover back in the 1950-60s dressed up for today’s audience. Maybe apply your acumen to the NYC mayoral race? Is it getting a commie makeover? Set your sights at a more manageable target? Sorta aim small miss small?
We’re almost entering the second decade of these psychological analyses of Trump and his government policies. Yes, yes, yes, Hitler 2.0 is upon us. Any minute now….
The whole post appears to be as well. You could change a few words, other references and have the Democratic Party as it’s focus. Or hocus-pocus. And never be the wiser.
You could swap the subject of any authoritarian critique if you ignore evidence, strip context, and flatten reality into a Rorschach test. But this isn’t hocus-pocus, it’s heavily cited political psychology and documented policy. If it feels interchangeable, that says more about your projection than my precision.
A great essay. I recently read "They Thought They Were Free" and recommend it highly. Not long after reading it, I sat through two university faculty meetings that were absolutely chilling in this context. Renaming courses, changing recruiting practices, and revising syllabi to avoid the wrath of the new administration were all voluntary steps toward the abyss and an abandonment of what I thought were long-held academic values. Once those are gone, there is no turning back. They will have won.
Great essay. I appreciate how you are building on your previous posts and repeating key points while introducing new research and examples in our current experience to give a broad and growing understanding of the psychological underpinnings of our American politics. There is so much to learn about this moment we’re in, even though there are precedents.
As for detractor’s comments they are just proving your point about cultists’ inability to engage in open and civil discourse.
Yes, people dont understand that there are a lot of moving parts and a lot of new readers so touching on concepts I've touched on before is necessary. It feels cheap to say "Click the link to read about right-wing authoritarianism" or have a hyperlink. Thank you
Thank goodness there are just articles.....after articles.........after articles spelling it all out. How it's happening. Like the author is just sitting in a skybox and observing it all. Another article instead of another citizen finally putting their money where their mouth is and doing something about it.
Each appearance of fascism in history is different ("When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross” - not actually said by Sinclair Lewis, but often attributed to him). But your latest post is a good reminder that certain psychological conditions are common to all fascists no matter what country they are from. Perhaps, then, there are good lessons in how to resist fascists that we can glean from history - though unfortunately, one of those lessons seems to be "Don't try to convert the fascists or win them back; just exclude them and deny them power, instead, letting them wither rather than helping them redeem themselves." Not an inspiring strategy, per se, but probably our best bet for saving American democracy.
Though I imagine if Sinclair Lewis wrote "When fascism comes to America, it will be hugging and kissing the flag and carrying a bible, upside down,” people would have thought he was on a drunken bender. But there we are.
They are a loss cause. Ignore, marginalize, and get to work on opposing this vile regime
My Sister is in the cult but would vehemently deny it. We haven't spoken since I discovered she once again voted for tRump and we had a few words. I have thought about trying to get her to leave the maga cult but frankly I know it would be not work. So be it.
Yup. The worst part of all cults is their persistence. Once a mind is captured by any cult, breaking free is only possibly through mindful focus, for life. It’s like any addiction; backsliding is very easy. Doing it alone is extremely hard. “Cults Anonymous” may be the next self help group with meetings, steps, sponsors, etc.
I'm reading your essay, and I'm really intrigued and enjoying it, but then I read the part where you said Trump signed an EO for "Office of American Metrics". Was this satire? If so, you did a poor job of indicating it. I can't find anything on the web about this office, so it seems false. Let me know if I'm misunderstanding something.
You're right to ask. The 'Office of American Metrics' isn't a literal agency. It’s a rhetorical device, a symbol of how truth is being reengineered through executive overreach. I re-worked the paragraph, and took it out completely because it didnt fit with the paragraph and the actual EO.
Ok, I see you did change that. I'm a pretty literal person, so it might be on me. But one of my biggest fears is this administration starts manipulating data.
A background in psychology. I didn’t see much concrete evidence or context to plausibly make the case. But I agree you’d have a better case with a Rorschach test. Maybe one that shows Trump’s side profiles facing each other. That would certainly tell the tale right down to the year, month, day, hour, minute and second that the national fascist transformation is complete.
This is what the John Birch Society tried to sell about a communist party takeover back in the 1950-60s dressed up for today’s audience. Maybe apply your acumen to the NYC mayoral race? Is it getting a commie makeover? Set your sights at a more manageable target? Sorta aim small miss small?
We’re almost entering the second decade of these psychological analyses of Trump and his government policies. Yes, yes, yes, Hitler 2.0 is upon us. Any minute now….
The whole post appears to be as well. You could change a few words, other references and have the Democratic Party as it’s focus. Or hocus-pocus. And never be the wiser.
You could swap the subject of any authoritarian critique if you ignore evidence, strip context, and flatten reality into a Rorschach test. But this isn’t hocus-pocus, it’s heavily cited political psychology and documented policy. If it feels interchangeable, that says more about your projection than my precision.
A.I. illustration, A.I. essay. Anti-fascism is a business.
A great essay. I recently read "They Thought They Were Free" and recommend it highly. Not long after reading it, I sat through two university faculty meetings that were absolutely chilling in this context. Renaming courses, changing recruiting practices, and revising syllabi to avoid the wrath of the new administration were all voluntary steps toward the abyss and an abandonment of what I thought were long-held academic values. Once those are gone, there is no turning back. They will have won.
History is known to repeat when it’s hidden out of shame and disgust. NOT THIS TIME!!!
Great essay. I appreciate how you are building on your previous posts and repeating key points while introducing new research and examples in our current experience to give a broad and growing understanding of the psychological underpinnings of our American politics. There is so much to learn about this moment we’re in, even though there are precedents.
As for detractor’s comments they are just proving your point about cultists’ inability to engage in open and civil discourse.
Yes, people dont understand that there are a lot of moving parts and a lot of new readers so touching on concepts I've touched on before is necessary. It feels cheap to say "Click the link to read about right-wing authoritarianism" or have a hyperlink. Thank you
Thank goodness there are just articles.....after articles.........after articles spelling it all out. How it's happening. Like the author is just sitting in a skybox and observing it all. Another article instead of another citizen finally putting their money where their mouth is and doing something about it.