[BostonCard]

I wonder if a bit of what is going on is just capitulation to what seems like inevitability of the spread.  It’s easy to see everything that’s going on around and conclude that if no one else is taking this seriously, why should we do so.

BC

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The reason for examining this experience, and the the suggestion of nuance, is simple. It isn't so much that persuasion or force won't work, but that we have run out of authority. The basic anti-authoritarian 'don't-tread-on-me', element in American culture is in full play now. The absence of Presidential leadership doesn't help, but it is also true that it runs very deep in this society. Generally, that's an aspect of the culture to be appreciated. However, no question it is a problem in a pandemic.

So you try to think of some way to finesse this situation. Generally speaking, the slow retreat being undertaken by Newsome and Abbot seems most practical.

I think we're heading for a brief period of increasing anarchic behavior, which is emblematic of the American approach to dealing with COVID-19...stupid behavior with zero care for one's neighbors on the part of at least a large minority of our citizens (Feels like 30% to 40%, depending on where you are).  I also think we're likely headed for a totalitarian society within a generation or two.  The totalitarians won the COVID-19 argument, at least how to deal with it.

When Noah Smith wrote this, I thought he was channeling his inner Mick.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articl...n-the-open

Of course, in 1948, McArthur was already going on about American declineism, though this time really does seem different.

BC

[BostonCard]

I wonder if a bit of what is going on is just capitulation to what seems like inevitability of the spread.  It’s easy to see everything that’s going on around and conclude that if no one else is taking this seriously, why should we do so.

BC

---

The reason for examining this experience, and the the suggestion of nuance, is simple. It isn't so much that persuasion or force won't work, but that we have run out of authority. The basic anti-authoritarian 'don't-tread-on-me', element in American culture is in full play now. The absence of Presidential leadership doesn't help, but it is also true that it runs very deep in this society. Generally, that's an aspect of the culture to be appreciated. However, no question it is a problem in a pandemic.

So you try to think of some way to finesse this situation. Generally speaking, the slow retreat being undertaken by Newsome and Abbot seems most practical.

I think we're heading for a brief period of increasing anarchic behavior, which is emblematic of the American approach to dealing with COVID-19...stupid behavior with zero care for one's neighbors on the part of at least a large minority of our citizens (Feels like 30% to 40%, depending on where you are).  I also think we're likely headed for a totalitarian society within a generation or two.  The totalitarians won the COVID-19 argument, at least how to deal with it.

When Noah Smith wrote this, I thought he was channeling his inner Mick.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articl...n-the-open

Of course, in 1948, McArthur was already going on about American declineism, though this time really does seem different.

BC