Things are going to get bad.
It is not secret that Trump and the people around him are mean-spirited and vindictive. Trump and his associated have made it clear that they intend to prosecute their critics and go after the press, via the DOJ and IRS, even absent actual wrongdoing. The plan to round up, stuff them into camps, and deport millions of people is going to trash the economy. The kind of widespread, non-targeted tariffs they want to implement will finish off the remaining economy. They intend to gut critical parts of the civil service either by budget or by firing civil servants and hiring patronage incompetents. They may not succeed at all of what they intend to do, but they will try, and they will hurt a lot of people in the process. And given that almost all of the media in this country is controlled by billionaires, many people may not even hear about these failures.
So, what to do? A lot of smart people have given good answers to that, mostly focusing on the fact that this is not yet Hungary and not obeying has a weight all its own. But this section of the newsletter is supposed to be about writing, so that is what I want to focus on.
First, I think that it is important for people to mentally take care of themselves. I have no intention of stopping writing because writing brings me joy. And joy really, really pisses off the right wing. Just living a good life, one that they do not approve of, infuriates them. It is why almost all of their messaging is based on grievance and whining.
More importantly, art can and does make a difference. One of the lessons is that the information sphere for younger voters is dominated by twitchers, podcasters, tiktokers, etc. Most of those are a form of art, and it has obviously had an effect. Art is one of the ways that opposition to autocracy has always spread. Art can and has and does move people, change minds, breakthrough. Artists are going to be one of the ways that this tide of dime-store autocracy is forced back. Make art with the rage, fear, and disgust you are feeling, and that art will move people. it is one of the few things that do. If you are an artist, you should lean into that power.
There will be other things that can and will be done to resist, and you can be a part of those. But don’t forget that art can both sustain you and encourage others. If you are a professional artist, art even harder. It will matter. If you are a failed artist, such as myself, but the process brings you joy, lean into that. Remember, living a happy life is like waving a middle finger in their faces. Writing helps me be happy, so, join me: 1000 words, or an hour of creation, and two middle fingers a day.
