Well yeah, but there's precedent for Trump personality types believing their own bullshit long before the Internet and AI. Goebbels' private diaries are a case in point. See Peter Longerich's biography. Yes people+ our era"s tech just helps reinforce the narcissistic delusion.

And in terms of geopolitics, their American first rhetoric and microwaved nostalgic fantasies is on course - in the developed world - to place North America and Europe last.

That looks like a fucking funeral mask.

Douthat, like some of his fellow columnists at NYT are as nuanced in their thinking as a thrash metal band performing in the Holywell Music Room. He would do well - as would many others - to dive deep into the late sociologist Peter Berger's (himself a complicated Xian) thought on such matters.

Since you mentioned this I've been thinking: Lucinda Williams writes a related song... Or maybe James McMurtry or Texas/Okla singer/songwriter like Terry Allen or Joe Ely. But top w/be Lucinda & Mavis Staples album w/this as ironic cover. Guest artists Buddy Guy/David Byrne. You get the credit.

That's funny and appropriate. I was thinking of Lawyers, Guns, and Money when I first saw it (And posted with that audio on another site.)

Hypothesis: He and Ezra Klein are the same person.

I'm more with Children of Men and The Road.

Photo from the other day that you should paint.