I have a new hobby. I collect stories. Stories that the American people tell amongst themselves, about their leaders, about their regime. I don’t have that many yet, but I do have one.
Not the Nine O'Clock News
Someone made the mistake to post a review of Tesla model last week. It hit a zillion views. People didn’t watch the video though. They came for the comments.
Imagine this as conversation between two friends as in the Not the Nine O’Clock News:
—Have you heard that Tesla sent a new model on the market?
—No?
—This one uses White Power instead of electricity.
—Oh. Are you thinking to get one?
—I don't know, I will probably wait. They say that the new autopilot always takes the third reicht. Do you think there will be another update after this one, or is this the final solution?
—I don’t know, I’m just sad that they missed the opportunity to call it the V2. You know, I did consider to buy one once, but I was worried that it didn’t have enough Lebensraum.
—Yeah probably not a good family car. It's very hard to get into and once you are in you cannot get out. Pressing the gas pedal will free up some space on the back seat though.
—Really? I might give it a go then. Maybe it's better than my Führari.
What do you think, is it a decent start? I’m sure the stories will get better over time. Let me know in the comments if you pick up any good ones.
Be like Pelle
Swedish author Gösta Knutsson wrote a series of children’s books about the cat Pelle. Helpful and inventive, Pelle is bullied by Mons, a cat with all the traits of a bully. Enabled by Bill and Bull, two cats who are happy to pick on Pelle to be part of Mons’ group. First published in 1939, the books made their way into Swedish hearts and minds and into every day language. My kids heard the stories in kindergarten. Everyone knows Bill and Bull. Be like Pelle. Don’t be like Bill and Bull.
Don’t be a sycophant
Remember, bullies don’t have the best ideas. They work by making outrageous claims that unsettle people. Who then make concessions to restore the mood in the room. Rinse and repeat. Appeasement didn’t work with Hitler. It didn’t work with Putin. It will not work with Mr. Orange.
He says “I will take Greenland!” And Danish politicians scramble to restore the special relationship with their most important ally. I’m sure he will move on to even more outrageous claims once he has milked the Greenland scare.
Now, some find it opportune to suggest what their new leader could do. Sycophants. To get a leg up. For a moment in the sun before they are thrown under the bus. We saw this happen again and again last time. But things were improvised, chaotic.
That’s why Mr. Orange is more dangerous this time. People had time to prepare. To get good ideas.
A better future
Let’s stand against the authoritarian leaders of the world. Let’s not accept that old white alpha males with bully tactics from the school years of the past will lead us into the future. Let’s stand for our values. Resist.
Show that the US didn’t win the Cold War because they had a crazy man in the White House. But because the Soviet couldn’t keep up with the creativity of free people with the means and opportunity to make great things happen.
Live each and every day in full. Be kind and helpful to those around you. Don’t give in to bullies. Don’t enable them. We will pull through.
Whatever happens, the sun also rises. Old men tumble to their graves. In death we are all the same, no matter how much cryptocurrency we have accumulated.
Take inspiration from the people of Ukraine living through war soon entering its fourth year. They get up each day, clean the streets from debris, and bring help to the people who need it most. Their resilience in fighting a war against a bully with no respect for laws or people. One day the war will end. And we shall live to see a better future.
Timothy Snyder wrote some time ago twenty lessons for fighting tyranny. Read it.
