Ernest Hemingway is famous for the terse economy of his writing. And in one of the most resonant examples of that quality, he captured the essence of catastrophic failure in just a few words, in his novel The Sun Also Rises. The alcoholic veteran Mike Campbell is asked how he went bankrupt. “Two ways,” he says. “Gradually and then quickly.” As it is with one … [Read more...] about Slowly and then all at once
Trump
Why are so many of us abandoning democracy for some form of tyranny? Joan Esposito interviews Spencer Critchley
Spencer often talks with Joan Esposito, who interviews him about politics for her show on Chicago's WCPT-AM. This episode of Dastardly Cleverness replays one of those conversations that's especially relevant now. Joan and Spencer focus on why democracy, after all its successes, is now in so much danger from authoritarianism. They talk about: You can hear more … [Read more...] about Why are so many of us abandoning democracy for some form of tyranny? Joan Esposito interviews Spencer Critchley
The Psychology of Trumpism
This time, host Spencer Critchley talks about the psychology of sedition, Trumpism as Freudian dream logic, and the apparent belief of Capitol rioters that they were in a movie. Listen to the episode as embedded above, or subscribe with Apple Podcasts and other podcast apps. Text Excerpt: Dream Logic In dream logic, the Capitol riot was the start of a patriotic … [Read more...] about The Psychology of Trumpism
What History Can Teach Us About the Attack on Democracy
In this episode, Spencer talks about what history can teach us about how to face the attack on democracy happening now: Why we can’t “just move on” after the Capitol riot — or everything else that’s happened over the past four years.The circle of shared moral values that must encompass democracy and how each of us can and must defend it — starting by simply speaking … [Read more...] about What History Can Teach Us About the Attack on Democracy
The Attack on Democracy
Just about the only thing many of us are thinking about these days is the endangered state of American democracy, especially since the attempted coup on Jan. 6. In this episode, Spencer Critchley offers some of his thoughts, and invites you to share yours. You can do that in the comments on this post, or at these links: Twitter: @scritchleyFacebook: … [Read more...] about The Attack on Democracy