Last night I hosted a Substack Live session to discuss my essay "The Emergency We Cannot Feel," exploring why many Americans remain psychologically unprepared to fully grasp the severity of the threats to our democracy.
In this discussion, I emphasized:
How psychological mechanisms—normalization bias, cognitive dissonance, emotional paralysis—prevent us from emotionally accepting the depth and seriousness of our democratic crisis.
The importance of clearly distinguishing between genuine existential threats (such as democratic collapse, geopolitical instability, authoritarian normalization, and unregulated technological advancements) and less urgent issues, such as political scandals or personal failings of individual politicians.
Why it's critical to confront harsh realities directly and courageously, rather than retreating into comfortable illusions of normalcy or neutrality.
The profound interconnectedness of domestic and global crises, and how the damage being done today will profoundly impact us for years—even decades—to come.
The urgent need for civic courage and active, meaningful resistance. Democracy is not a passive inheritance but something we must actively defend, embodying values that inspire genuine leadership, not merely reactive politics.
This conversation also touched on the concerning failures of current political leadership and the dangerous absence of serious, principled opposition capable of confronting threats head-on.
Above all, last night’s talk emphasized that fully grasping our situation isn't about despair—it's about empowerment. Only by accepting the truth clearly can we begin to respond effectively.
Thank you to everyone who joined. If you missed it, the recording is available now.
Share this post