The biggest problem with tyranny is how it degrades the human spirit. I've been listening to "A Lodging of Wayfaring Men," narrated by nostr:nprofile1qqst0mtgkp3du662ztj3l4fgts0purksu5fgek5n4vgmg9gt2hkn9lqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsz9mhwden5te0wfjkccte9ehx7um5wghxyctwvshsz9mhwden5te0wfjkccte9ec8y6tdv9kzumn9wshs54zrlx (who does a superb job of it), and the most striking thing about the novel is just how *good* the people are. They're not unbelievably good - they're humans, and they have natural human desires, one of which is to do the right thing. I think that's entirely natural. But I know that if I was writing this novel, I wouldn't be able to create such good characters. What is it about me that prevents me from seeing the good in people? I think its the culture that produced me. We have an assumption that no one can be trusted. How has America, with its wonderful ideals, produced a culture of automatic distrust?

I think the answer is : tyranny usually appears patriotic.

☕

#gm #books #culture