But I hate to underestimate the dark side of the force.

  • Reversi [none/use name]
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    4 years ago

    where does all this neurotic political energy go after the the lightning rod disappears?

    Dissolves back into the society it arose from. It'll always be there, just manifest differently over time.

    • jmichigan_frog [he/him]
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      4 years ago

      well yes, that's what I was asking! How might it manifest differently? :P

      • Reversi [none/use name]
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        4 years ago

        Increased paranoia over 'antifa,' increased sinophobia, increased fear of black organizing.

        Difference will be that all of this fear and paranoia will be decentralized due to lacking a figurehead. Rightist pundits and commentators are constantly fighting for position and denounce each other pretty often. Since Trump's base will no longer have an authoritarian figure giving them permission to act, I'd expect distinct acts of violence and terror to lessen.

        • jmichigan_frog [he/him]
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          4 years ago

          Would agree that increased Sinophobia is likely. Neocons will see a temporary boost in influence under Biden, and Americans will be looking to "settle the score" with an economy and society in shambles next year. If the internal cultural conflict loses oxygen, it's logical that late-imperial angst would direct itself outwards. Reminds me of Carl Schmidt's analysis of politics: it's always a struggle against a perceived Other because insecurity is a powerfully unifying force.

    • MonarchLabsOne [he/him]
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      4 years ago

      Does anyone think the Left can harness the energy after Trump is done for?

      Can we provide a new lighting rod for at least some of Trump's supporters?

    • SteveHasBunker [he/him]
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      4 years ago

      Yeah I think if Trump loses they’ll be like two months of a few really hardcore supporters going kamikaze, but most will just return to normalcy. The American people’s mood is pretty beholden to the media, once they calm down under Biden everyone will just find a new Netflix show the binge or just keep posting FB memes. I actually think the next 4 years will be kinda boring. Libs will be pacified and conservatives will just sit and stew.

      • Moosegender [he/him]
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        4 years ago

        You forgot right wing media. Fox News will keep the outrage machine going.