Cleaning off the desk…
I do a lot of *clicky*clicky* and save-to-read, then getting interrupted and wandering off. Then I find it later and have no idea whence it came. So I owe *someone* a 
.
Consider this idea:
It is an interesting and somewhat macabre parlor game to play at a large gathering of one’s acquaintances: to speculate who in a showdown would go Nazi.
Yes — Godwin’s Law and all… But this article was written in 1941 so it’s a timely, concrete reference, not hype. And I find it applicable today, though we need a different name than Nazis. [which we'll likely have to wait for History to coin.]
The idea/article struck me because I live in an area where there I have the …opportunity to observe strangers, friends – of – friends and acquaintances like this every freakin day™DM. So I already play a less clearly-stated version this game in my mind.
Every time the subject of The World Situation / politics arises in gatherings with casual acquaintances and friends – of – friends, I fall back on, “Oh, yes. The World Situation — desperate as usual… Look! A squirrel!” [sometimes metaphorically -- sometimes literally]
I’d rather appear stupid or ignorant than get into a discussion of politics and political motivations which must needs evolve into The Discussion of inherent philosophical motivations — which becomes much like attempting to discuss string theory with a duck.
In my daily activities, I have the opportunity to observe piles of self-righteous t-shirt slogans proudly worn, hear tons of guilt-tripping “everyone knows people [white people] / Americans are ruining the Plaaaanet” remarks, and encounter scores of that type. Yanno what I mean — you can pick ‘em out of a crowd by their “fair trade” hand-woven purse or vest, their REI shorts [that have never seen an "outdoor space" that wasn't paved or lawned], the dried-up Earth Mother heaving her way thru a crowded market like the Queen Mary with her skinny, cargo-shorted, straw-hatted little metro “mate” dutifully trotting behind schlepping her brightly colored Nicaraguan shopping totes and purse.
It’s kinda like living on a different planet or a foreign country and I occasionally find myself wondering what it would be like to live, physically [other than The Porch], in a place where most of my daily encounters would be with people with whom I share The Basics. [I'm always up for a good discussion of what might be a more effective methodology of achieving commonly-held goals but when no goals are held -- or even conceived of -- in common it's just no damn fun.]
I wonder… Does such a place even exist?
aaaaaaaaaaaanyway: as to the article. I think the game is kinda fun [in a bizarre, dark way] and good practice for the situational awareness muscles.
Just me™?