Jeff, thanks for this take. There is some big talent going into the administration. I truly hope that the Trump admin can double down on border security and the economy.
It would be easier for me to believe in leprechauns, Santa Claus and the tooth fairy than to think his reptilian brain is going to adapt...but it's a nice, brief fantasy thought.
Interesting. All great character compel us because of their motivations. The deeper and more complex the motivation, the more dynamic the character. I see a deep seeded desire to dominate and humiliate and to be dominated and humiliated by this potential Superman. I also see a more surface level desire to elevate the self, promote and market the self, the narcism. Unfortunately, while I think the surface level motivation will inspire moments of legacy building, the deeper motivation will find ways to hurt others and itself.
I agree, and that's the base case. But what if his worst traits can be harnessed to advance democracy, like some sort of bell-shaped boomer superhero? It's unlikely and maybe batshit, but I'm open to being surprised.
It may sound odd, but I expect him to be easily successful in the FoPo dept, and to have a nearly impossible time with institutional reform. This annoys me, because if I had to pick, I'd happily take the latter, as long-term it puts the US in a far superior position.
Stranger things have happened. I would love it if Jeff were correct about this, but I am not exactly holding my breath. Even if all of these good things happen, I would still regard Trump as one of the slimiest human beings on the planet.
...this is a fun and really surprising idea and article Jeff...i think the condition most feel towards the incoming administration is well earned and closer to the likeliest possible outcome [dismal]...but in true WWE fashion what if America's greatest heel became its hero instead?...feels fun to seek optimism for the time being...now whether the dice rolls this way or snake eyes we will see...fingers crossed for the best...
“To embody Superman, he must respect the rule of law, press freedom, and civil discourse.” Even if he had focus and self-discipline, Donald won’t.
Aside side from his prospective nominees for State and Treasury, his list is not very talented in terms of public service (Musk and Ramasmarmy, for example), and several carry heavy ethical baggage (Hegseth, Gabbard).
And DODGY won’t happen, even if there are likely huge economies possible at DOD and in how Medicare is gamed.
Good article. You're talking about the mythology and not the man . . .
I read a study from the late 2000s indicating that the average American spent less than 5 minutes per day thinking about politics.
He's certainly changed that! - the "political awareness" is fucking DEAFENING.
I like my little apolitical bubble in HN. I was home for ONE year of his first term and it was patently ridiculous. My Dad was from East Germany, Mom from the USSR . . . "If people just stopped talking about politics they wouldn't know the difference."
Hence Aristotle's "moderation" . . . I think that in for years more people will have dropped out and just get over this. We idolise way too many politicians of lore who never had to withstand the scrutiny of the 24-hour news cycle, nevermind Twitter.
SOMEHOW I am already finding the shock worn off and I'm learning less.
Just ramblings. Thoughts. Do I have to submit a close reading assignment?
"Political awareness" makes for a more DEMOCRATIC society!! Obvious, no? Your argument isn't only about the man, it's about the discourse around him. I think that's pretty obvious . . .
Yes agreed, none of this is going to unfold in a predictable linear way, and in retrospect it may turn out to be the transformative shock we need to get us to a better place.
He's already won office, so the arsonist is already in the office! It's unlikely, and maybe batshit, but I think we should be open to positive outcomes.
Just the picture of Trump as Superman brought back a memory of the Genesis music video that has Reagan (portrayed by a puppet) putting on his Superman uniform to the lyrics…
“Oh, Superman, where are you now?
When every thing's gone wrong somehow?
Men of steel, these men of power
I'm losing control by the hour”
The song is all about ‘80s angst and a call to action for good… I think Reagan can be Superman, but the people are the ones to solve the problems. the video is absolutely nuts too (a lot snow consumed making that one 😂)
Does Trump realize he's been given the biggest mulligan in American history?
So true
Jeff, thanks for this take. There is some big talent going into the administration. I truly hope that the Trump admin can double down on border security and the economy.
It would be easier for me to believe in leprechauns, Santa Claus and the tooth fairy than to think his reptilian brain is going to adapt...but it's a nice, brief fantasy thought.
Ha! Fair enough... I'm not saying he'll change but that some good could come out of his admin.
Interesting. All great character compel us because of their motivations. The deeper and more complex the motivation, the more dynamic the character. I see a deep seeded desire to dominate and humiliate and to be dominated and humiliated by this potential Superman. I also see a more surface level desire to elevate the self, promote and market the self, the narcism. Unfortunately, while I think the surface level motivation will inspire moments of legacy building, the deeper motivation will find ways to hurt others and itself.
I agree, and that's the base case. But what if his worst traits can be harnessed to advance democracy, like some sort of bell-shaped boomer superhero? It's unlikely and maybe batshit, but I'm open to being surprised.
It may sound odd, but I expect him to be easily successful in the FoPo dept, and to have a nearly impossible time with institutional reform. This annoys me, because if I had to pick, I'd happily take the latter, as long-term it puts the US in a far superior position.
Reasonable take!
Stranger things have happened. I would love it if Jeff were correct about this, but I am not exactly holding my breath. Even if all of these good things happen, I would still regard Trump as one of the slimiest human beings on the planet.
...this is a fun and really surprising idea and article Jeff...i think the condition most feel towards the incoming administration is well earned and closer to the likeliest possible outcome [dismal]...but in true WWE fashion what if America's greatest heel became its hero instead?...feels fun to seek optimism for the time being...now whether the dice rolls this way or snake eyes we will see...fingers crossed for the best...
Thanks. As with many things, I think it's good to be clear-eyed and also open to surprise.
Broligarchs got me
“To embody Superman, he must respect the rule of law, press freedom, and civil discourse.” Even if he had focus and self-discipline, Donald won’t.
Aside side from his prospective nominees for State and Treasury, his list is not very talented in terms of public service (Musk and Ramasmarmy, for example), and several carry heavy ethical baggage (Hegseth, Gabbard).
And DODGY won’t happen, even if there are likely huge economies possible at DOD and in how Medicare is gamed.
As this essay repeatedly acknowledges, all of this is probably true, but there’s still some chance good can come out of his admin.
🤞🏻
Your taking a long time to wake up
Apparently, you don't know my history. Write one more comment like this on one of my essays, and I will ban you. Also, it's "you're."
Good article. You're talking about the mythology and not the man . . .
I read a study from the late 2000s indicating that the average American spent less than 5 minutes per day thinking about politics.
He's certainly changed that! - the "political awareness" is fucking DEAFENING.
I like my little apolitical bubble in HN. I was home for ONE year of his first term and it was patently ridiculous. My Dad was from East Germany, Mom from the USSR . . . "If people just stopped talking about politics they wouldn't know the difference."
Hence Aristotle's "moderation" . . . I think that in for years more people will have dropped out and just get over this. We idolise way too many politicians of lore who never had to withstand the scrutiny of the 24-hour news cycle, nevermind Twitter.
SOMEHOW I am already finding the shock worn off and I'm learning less.
I don’t understand your point or how it relates to the article.
Just ramblings. Thoughts. Do I have to submit a close reading assignment?
"Political awareness" makes for a more DEMOCRATIC society!! Obvious, no? Your argument isn't only about the man, it's about the discourse around him. I think that's pretty obvious . . .
No worries. I do expect people to make coherent points when they comment on my platform and was just trying to understand you.
I love you optimism Jeff, but isn’t this a bit like asking the arsonist to step in to help put out the fire?
Yes agreed, none of this is going to unfold in a predictable linear way, and in retrospect it may turn out to be the transformative shock we need to get us to a better place.
He's already won office, so the arsonist is already in the office! It's unlikely, and maybe batshit, but I think we should be open to positive outcomes.
Whoa… I got a flashback to the Genesis music video for Land of Confusion. Songs lyrics are also relevant.
Fascinating, lol. What do you see as the connection between that and this essay?
Just the picture of Trump as Superman brought back a memory of the Genesis music video that has Reagan (portrayed by a puppet) putting on his Superman uniform to the lyrics…
“Oh, Superman, where are you now?
When every thing's gone wrong somehow?
Men of steel, these men of power
I'm losing control by the hour”
The song is all about ‘80s angst and a call to action for good… I think Reagan can be Superman, but the people are the ones to solve the problems. the video is absolutely nuts too (a lot snow consumed making that one 😂)