Matt Christman and Chris Wade's podcast "Hell of Presidents" provides some great context on the singular weirdness of American politics. In particular, the bonus episode "Vote yourself a pod" goes into the electorate, the "consumerization" of the voting process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZQhIj2ZHlY
I listened to bits of it, and these dudes are passionate/nerdy about the subject.. the level of knowledge is crazy but also you can tell they're geeking out on American history haha! Thanks brother.
There’s a Black Mirror episode where a television cartoon character is elected Prime Minister of the UK. Being Black Mirror, it hits close to home and is horrifying. I heard an interview with the director talking about that episode—before I’d ever watched Black Mirror—and how he wasn’t surprised about Trump getting elected (this was back in 2017 or thereabouts) because he’d really thought about human psychology in making that episode.
A lot of nonsense. A lot of an insanely outdated systems that should have been abandoned decades ago. A lot of complete lack of caring or knowledge about the world outside this country’s borders. A lot of brainwashing (the media ecosystem across the country is mostly appalling and local news has disappeared almost everywhere). And a lot, I think, embedded in a society where people are persuaded that their only security can be in what they own and how hard they can work for someone else’s profits. Rather than how well cared for everyone in their community and world is. Which is the only real security.
When I think of how many times my relatives in Russia have made the effort to vote only to see ballot boxes being pre-stuffed to guarantee the results …
I have boycotted elections in my home country for over 10 years now, because I refuse to take part in a sham.. Elections have been suspended now for a year.. It was already a sham..
On community: I've never heard it in the US spaces as much as I heard it last week, and I am yet to be convinced that Americans are able to provide a solution and actually build 'sustainable' communities that are able to actualize taking collective action.
On a sideline: I was discussing this with a friend and said, obviously from a biased POV: "that's why when someone becomes Muslim, they have to become Muslim in front of the community, to hold the moral accountability and responsibility.." But the philosophical meanings behind this action are very clear.. Thank you Tonia! I cherish every comment you make, and every thought you share..
That is beautiful, about becoming Muslim in front of the community.
And yes, America's religion is individualism and the property that enables it. Most don't know what community means. But it's not dead -- in many Indigenous communities, obviously, and also in many religious ones, it's kept alive. Not always in completely healthy forms, but the focus on collective and community is predominant, counter to the rest of American society. It's something the rest of us have to relearn, rebuild, and restore in the center of our hearts, minds, and spirits.
But mainstream Americans who talk a lot about community also need to understand that it's not easy. It's not all planting vegetables together and bringing one another soup. Community is hard. You have to make common cause with people you might like, or people who've hurt you badly. In a way, it requires this society to start growing up.
I've been ignoring most American election post-mortem posts, but read yours because you have an immigrant's perspective and I thought that might be illuminating.
It amazes me how many post mortem posts I've skimmed that talk about Democrats needing to look in the mirror. I wrote one, in fact.
And I think there are some things to be learned from this election. It didn't surprise me that Harris wasn't elected -- I mean, how can you fund and arm Israel for a year as it commits genocide, say that you would continue to do this if elected, and expect people to vote for you? -- but what did surprise me was the glee with which so many white men and women voted for Trump. I've heard the flimsiest of excuses, but I wonder what lurks behind supporting this guy. What is the appeal? I don't get it.
I don't think Americans care that much about the genocide. They care more about the fact that money goes from their taxes to another place. They all justify the Kamala votes by saying "this is not an endorsement"..
I think the appeal of Trump is in the clarity of messaging. Also, the same way liberals 'overlooked' genocide, the people who voted for him 'overlooked' the racism, misogyny, etc. Americans are comfortable with being 'pragmatic' a lot more than other people.. Additionally, a lot of people are able to vote for him because of the absolute failure of liberals in this case... They can't find a reason for existence or a position they can defend, and when you don't know who you are, people don't know who you are too..
Matt Christman and Chris Wade's podcast "Hell of Presidents" provides some great context on the singular weirdness of American politics. In particular, the bonus episode "Vote yourself a pod" goes into the electorate, the "consumerization" of the voting process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZQhIj2ZHlY
I listened to bits of it, and these dudes are passionate/nerdy about the subject.. the level of knowledge is crazy but also you can tell they're geeking out on American history haha! Thanks brother.
There’s a Black Mirror episode where a television cartoon character is elected Prime Minister of the UK. Being Black Mirror, it hits close to home and is horrifying. I heard an interview with the director talking about that episode—before I’d ever watched Black Mirror—and how he wasn’t surprised about Trump getting elected (this was back in 2017 or thereabouts) because he’d really thought about human psychology in making that episode.
A lot of nonsense. A lot of an insanely outdated systems that should have been abandoned decades ago. A lot of complete lack of caring or knowledge about the world outside this country’s borders. A lot of brainwashing (the media ecosystem across the country is mostly appalling and local news has disappeared almost everywhere). And a lot, I think, embedded in a society where people are persuaded that their only security can be in what they own and how hard they can work for someone else’s profits. Rather than how well cared for everyone in their community and world is. Which is the only real security.
When I think of how many times my relatives in Russia have made the effort to vote only to see ballot boxes being pre-stuffed to guarantee the results …
I have boycotted elections in my home country for over 10 years now, because I refuse to take part in a sham.. Elections have been suspended now for a year.. It was already a sham..
On community: I've never heard it in the US spaces as much as I heard it last week, and I am yet to be convinced that Americans are able to provide a solution and actually build 'sustainable' communities that are able to actualize taking collective action.
On a sideline: I was discussing this with a friend and said, obviously from a biased POV: "that's why when someone becomes Muslim, they have to become Muslim in front of the community, to hold the moral accountability and responsibility.." But the philosophical meanings behind this action are very clear.. Thank you Tonia! I cherish every comment you make, and every thought you share..
That is beautiful, about becoming Muslim in front of the community.
And yes, America's religion is individualism and the property that enables it. Most don't know what community means. But it's not dead -- in many Indigenous communities, obviously, and also in many religious ones, it's kept alive. Not always in completely healthy forms, but the focus on collective and community is predominant, counter to the rest of American society. It's something the rest of us have to relearn, rebuild, and restore in the center of our hearts, minds, and spirits.
But mainstream Americans who talk a lot about community also need to understand that it's not easy. It's not all planting vegetables together and bringing one another soup. Community is hard. You have to make common cause with people you might like, or people who've hurt you badly. In a way, it requires this society to start growing up.
I've been ignoring most American election post-mortem posts, but read yours because you have an immigrant's perspective and I thought that might be illuminating.
It amazes me how many post mortem posts I've skimmed that talk about Democrats needing to look in the mirror. I wrote one, in fact.
And I think there are some things to be learned from this election. It didn't surprise me that Harris wasn't elected -- I mean, how can you fund and arm Israel for a year as it commits genocide, say that you would continue to do this if elected, and expect people to vote for you? -- but what did surprise me was the glee with which so many white men and women voted for Trump. I've heard the flimsiest of excuses, but I wonder what lurks behind supporting this guy. What is the appeal? I don't get it.
I will read your post Diana!
I don't think Americans care that much about the genocide. They care more about the fact that money goes from their taxes to another place. They all justify the Kamala votes by saying "this is not an endorsement"..
I think the appeal of Trump is in the clarity of messaging. Also, the same way liberals 'overlooked' genocide, the people who voted for him 'overlooked' the racism, misogyny, etc. Americans are comfortable with being 'pragmatic' a lot more than other people.. Additionally, a lot of people are able to vote for him because of the absolute failure of liberals in this case... They can't find a reason for existence or a position they can defend, and when you don't know who you are, people don't know who you are too..
Thanks, and I think you're probably right. Lots of people around the world care about the genocide, but more don't, unfortunately.