In general - what we've been seeing is our own human failing for slipping into narcissism and

[NRaleighLiberal]

how easily people are seduced by power, greed, power of personality. That it is easy to follow - to be led - or to want the power and lead - but harder to just be - just be one of the organism of life, live the old "do unto others" thing (golden rule), do no harm...but keep learning, keep humble.

It's been happening all around us for a long long time. There are too many components and root causes that lead to the apathy - the consolidated media, the rampant propaganda, the purity tests, and group think.

We are flawed, folks, as an organism. Humans version 1.0 have some issues. We are seeing them played out all over the world - we have throughout history, but we have so many tools to watch it now that the true WTF-ness of it, the FUBAR of it, is clear.

We will all do what we need to do to keep sane in our own way - get really active, pull back and find our safe place, get angry, get sad, drink, toke, walk our dogs. But we all get one shot at this and we will each have our unique approach.

You will, as always, find me in the garden, or in a kayak, or on a walk with my wife and dog. Or listening to music I love, or watching a movie I love. My escape.

Not sure if my many times daily visits to DU keep me sane or drive me further inward - but I am thankful for this one stop shop of what's up out there.

[LisaM]

1. The amount of attention people (and the media) paid to Trump in 2015 and 2016 was insane.

Even people who'd never vote for him in a million years were fascinated by him and would watch any coverage of him (with me, the creep factor is so high I can't stand to even be in a room where he's on TV). I admit, I did not take him particularly seriously at first, because I didn't think that fascination would turn into votes, but wow, was I proved wrong. This now has me questioning my own judgement on absolutely everything - how could I have so over-estimated the intelligence of the American people?

But what's frustrating to me is that he got so much attention to being with. I watch reality shows too, but it would make my skin crawl to see one of the Real Housewives attempt to run for office.

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. But emails...

but speeches

[mopinko]

3. the evolutionary longing for the big chimp who keeps us safe.

and who sets up the hierarchy, the rules, the norms.
who surveys the environment and decides if we have the luxury of being peaceful and good, or whether life requires savagery.

we are, indeed, programmed to fall in line. and shut our mouths about it.