収束ゾーンでのライフ: Life in the Convergence Zone

I’ve been thinking about the “weird” label being used – very effectively – at the fascists lately.

Personally, I’d prefer the word “bizarre” but, well, weird’s what we got and it’s working great at fucking ’em up, so keep it going. I’ve seen a couple of other people say that “weird” invokes the “weird uncle” who ruins family gatherings by going off about conspiracy theory bullshit, and I have to agree – that’s a good connection to make.

On the other hand, I know a lot of weird people, people who are weird in good ways, and they’re seeing all the old bullying coming right back at their faces again.

Importantly, I think there’s a dividing line here, and I even think it’s one people kind of get. So being reminded of that line’s existence might help some people.

Americans are just fine with individual people being weird. Artists, writers, other ‘creatives.’ Makers. Inventors. They should be weird. Neither Doc Brown nor Jillian Holtzmann nor Rick Sanchez are what you’d call normal people, and it’s fine.

But Americans aren’t actually fine at all with politicians being weird. Yes, individuals can be weird – even gloriously weird – but politicians should not be weird.

(And yeah, I’m looking at you, “goodspaceguy” of Seattle.)

So if you’re weird, just remember: you’re not also a politician. Maybe you’re a gadfly, or even a little arty, if not an out and out artist, writer, inventor, musician, maker – for me, for you, for all of us, weird is a positive. The creativity part, that’s the weird.

But for a politician?

Weird is not a positive, and I think the difference is power.

Particularly if your power is power over others.

You do your weird, I’ll do my weird, we can be weird and it’s okay. Maybe we can be weird together Just don’t make me do your weird, that’s not okay. YKINMK, but for weirdness.

But add actual power to the mix, and things change.

Political power makes your weird suddenly into my weird, whether I want it to or not…

…and nobody likes that.

Except them.

Which is part of why they’re so goddamn weird…

…in the bad way.

I’ve had to spend a lot of time in politics – far, far more than I ever wanted. I’m pretty good at this shit. I’m real good at enemy intelligence and trends plotting, particularly long term – far better than I’ve been given credit for, even if like everyone else I’m not perfect. In some ways, I’m obscenely good at this, but all those ways are really, really weird. And I should never be a politician.

So. If you’re feeling bad about all the “weird,” just remember – they’re talking about weird politicians. Weirdos who are creepy and all about power.

And if that’s not you, then, well – relax. It’s okay.

It’s not about you…

…and you are just fine.

95 days remain.

Posted via Solarbird{y|z|yz}, Collected.