#601 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Tuesday March 7)
Good morning,
I’ve been thinking a lot about extremism, both here and abroad. It seems to be that people can’t seem to find common ground—whether on shared ideals or shared ways to achieve values. As we are reminded so often by the press, we are in a “polarized moment.” That polarization is, of course, fed by the television shows or radio stations we listen to. It is multiplied by the feeds in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and any number of smaller apps, managed by algorithms that are not based upon delivering the truth, but rather on delivering views that are agreeable with the user. The goal is not to deliver news but, rather, the ability to hold onto viewers’ attention for as long as possible.
We have been through various examples of extremism in history. It never works out well and it often results in oppression of “the other” (typically in the form of minority groups and immigrants). When times are bad, it’s open season on scapegoats.
POLARIZATION IS THE NORM
We have two powerful forces well outside of the norms of American history and jurisprudence. One is a movement that decries the greatness of the American experiment in a free, open, capitalistic society, tossing it into the trash heap of failed empires because of the wrongs committed in times not nearly as enlightened as our own. These people also want to limit free speech when that speech delivers ideas different from their own. Another group is unable to see the inequality in their midst and does not want to teach their children the good and bad in American history. Many of them are seeking to create a homogenous “majority” society based upon religious underpinnings, while distancing themselves from others who fall outside of their narrowly established norms.
LESSONS OF EXTREMISM FROM WEIMAR GERMANY?
There are lessons in Weimar Germany, a democratic republic of the 1920s, with its own economic challenges and economic woes. These woes largely were the result of the excesses of the Treaty of Versailles. There were two seemingly irreconcilable movements in Germany at the time. The Communists and the Fascists (Nazis) both were active, recruiting, writing and speaking, both growing increasingly violent. In the end, Hitler ended up on top. Would the Communists have been gentler? We’ll never know. Today, we similarly have two diametrically opposed visions of the future. Only one can survive if democracy falters. I wouldn’t want to bet on either.
The 2022 election offered hope that our democracy is healthier than believed, that the damage of Trump is not irretrievable, and that perhaps we don’t fall into the abyss of either the far left or the far right. But the end of the story remains far from clear.
SURPRISING BOOKS FROM THE 30s
I picked up the book The Hopkins Manuscript, by R.C. Sherriff, re-released this year, after reading a positive review. It’s the story of a small town in rural England and its preparations for, and life after, an apocalyptic celestial event that changes the world forever. This early entrant in the genre of post-apocalyptic fiction was written before the Second World War, a period of angst, anxiety, and the unknown. While the story reads like a modern page-turner, it has a wonderful early-20th century focus on character development and the painting of a mental picture not only of the physical environment, but the society, archetypes, and zeitgeist of the moment. The message? A natural cataclysm offers nowhere near the challenge to humanity than the people of the world.
The other 1930s era novel I’ve read recently is The Passenger, by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz. The story of a not-too-particularly-religious Jewish businessman is confronted with the slow erosion of rights and changing perspectives and actions of people around him during the ascendant days of the Nazi regime. Through the story of a man leaving his home through being a passenger on trains around Germany as he tries to sort out his circumstances, this book provides a compelling glimpse into Jewish life in Germany shortly before some of the most extreme policies of the Nazi regime went into effect.
CURRENT TV
On the list of promising television that’s not worth the hype or the talent, run as fast as you can from Shrinking. What a waste of the otherwise talented Jason Segal and Harrison Ford. Bad dialog, terrible acting, hamming for the camera, unrealistic conversations, and uninspired writing. And if you think it gets better after a couple of episodes, this has the opposite effect.
As for the Yellowstone phenomenon, it had a strong two seasons but has devolved after having jumped the shark at the end of Season 2 and it has never recovered. The broad story arc of the multiple series seems to be the story of the family striking out with great hope, followed by a decline into selfishness and senseless violence. 1883, the prequel starring Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, is phenomenal production of an earnest, relatable wagon train heading west. While it touches on many of the western tropes, it tells a unique story that is both riveting and realistic. It represents the best in the Yellowstone universe.
A step down the quality ladder is the next prequel, 1923, starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford. It’s still interesting, with characters we can relate to, but a step down the food chain in terms of quality. The dialog is awful, the characters two-dimensional. The cinematography soars at times and the basic story is marginally interesting. And once the time gets to the present day, all we have left is just Yellowstone, in which the characters often are one-dimensional, the rivalries absurd, and violence unnecessary and brutal. Do yourself a favor and stop after season two.
Over the past few years, TV shows have been a haven for the best writers, well directed actors and the most interesting plots. It has offered many rich stories and well-drawn characters. I’m not a critic, but I’d say there is too much product out there. In the “Yellowstone universe,” the product can’t be spewed out fast enough. And it shows.
Have a great day,
Glenn
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