Thanks for this. Re: Dave Troy, I discovered him late. His writing delivers well-earned frissons on the one hand. On the other, I was more impressed by Joseph O'Neill's post-election interview in the NY Review of Books. He said, with a courage I admire:
"Harris lost, yes—but let’s not overegg the pudding. Trump’s margin of victory was humdrum. His final vote tally will fall millions short of the votes won by Biden in 2020. The opposition to him is huge and intense and in the right."
Thank you for framing Dave Troy’s rhetoric in this light - as he delivers each day dire warning after dire warning, it begins to be comical, which is also better than nail-biting, impotent fear.
I agree with your point about despair, but besides Dave Troy's Twitter comment after the election, if you read his writing, listen to his podcast, or watch his Ted Talks that he started sharing nearly a decade ago, then he is absolutely right that most of America had no idea what was coming. Not only did the slightly higher majority that actually votes elect Trump, but more people are only now realizing the full implications of their choice even after years of information he and others shared, that like 0.01% of America paid attention to before 2024. Now, here we are, and plenty of populations outside the US are wondering what happened but probably remain unsurprised. Having read, listened, and watched Troy, I commend him for having the patience not to be more direct in calling out our national ignorance after everything he shared, but I think that's just the type of person he is. If preserving American democracy as we knew it before 2025 was an exam, he and others gave everyone the answers years ago, and our leaders still failed.
Thanks for this. Re: Dave Troy, I discovered him late. His writing delivers well-earned frissons on the one hand. On the other, I was more impressed by Joseph O'Neill's post-election interview in the NY Review of Books. He said, with a courage I admire:
"Harris lost, yes—but let’s not overegg the pudding. Trump’s margin of victory was humdrum. His final vote tally will fall millions short of the votes won by Biden in 2020. The opposition to him is huge and intense and in the right."
I'll stop there.
Once again you've brilliantly synthesized some ideas that were vaguely swimming around in my noggin. Thank you!
Thank you for framing Dave Troy’s rhetoric in this light - as he delivers each day dire warning after dire warning, it begins to be comical, which is also better than nail-biting, impotent fear.
Thank you for providing this important reminder. Complying in advance takes many forms.
Like all the scary movies you review with insight, I am glad to understand An important meaning of the movie alien without having to ever watch it.
Very grateful again.
no notes, thanks for this
I agree with your point about despair, but besides Dave Troy's Twitter comment after the election, if you read his writing, listen to his podcast, or watch his Ted Talks that he started sharing nearly a decade ago, then he is absolutely right that most of America had no idea what was coming. Not only did the slightly higher majority that actually votes elect Trump, but more people are only now realizing the full implications of their choice even after years of information he and others shared, that like 0.01% of America paid attention to before 2024. Now, here we are, and plenty of populations outside the US are wondering what happened but probably remain unsurprised. Having read, listened, and watched Troy, I commend him for having the patience not to be more direct in calling out our national ignorance after everything he shared, but I think that's just the type of person he is. If preserving American democracy as we knew it before 2025 was an exam, he and others gave everyone the answers years ago, and our leaders still failed.