2020 taught me that sunlight is NOT a disinfectant. Real UV light kills real bacteria, but the metaphor is a lie, designed to keep us focused on fake revelations.
Before 2020 I hoped that “opening the blackmail” would stop the tyranny. It didn’t. There were lots of leaks and peeks behind the scenes, showing the tyrants gathering without muzzles, and the approved rebels rioting while mayors led the riots. It was all open. Sunlight was shining brightly on the monsters, and they kept going.
After this hard realization I started thinking back to earlier leaks and hacks. The 2009 hack of Michael Mann’s climate crimes changed nothing. He’s still committing the same crimes and receiving honor and glory. The 1971 Pentagon Papers didn’t slow down Nixon’s war. We only pulled out after we were soundly defeated on the battlefield.
Modern “independents” like Taibbi and Assange** believe, or pretend to believe, in the power of leaks and revelations. They’re leading us astray.
Unwanted revelations like the 2020 riots can help us to understand the tyrants, and thus help us to defend our souls and integrity. Intentional leaks and hacks and FOIAs are fake.
This is a close parallel to the equally trite and false Santayana quote. In fact rulers DO learn from history. They learn how to maximize and improve their wars and tyranny. We can learn what’s likely to happen, and be prepared internally. That’s the best we can hope for.
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** I didn’t notice this until after writing the above. Assange has finally lost his naivete, though he’s understandably unhappy about the way the world works.
Polistra's Mill 