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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"Deus ex machina", my friends.
Trust me, it will strike from the firmament. No one could have predicted what happened last time. This time will be no different.
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That is all.

Ocelot II
(124,345 posts)The situation will become so unstable that shit will happen and it will come out of left field. We just don't know what it will be. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_swan_theory
Wounded Bear
(61,775 posts)
Fiendish Thingy
(19,113 posts)Unlike 9/11, the GFC and COVID, (which still had warning signs for the vigilant), we know from past experience that Trump 2.0 will unquestionably leave America more vulnerable to whatever threat comes its way.
P.S. Black Swan and Deus ex Machina are not the same thing,
PCIntern
(27,289 posts)But Ill take either at this point
Ocelot II
(124,345 posts)The Deus ex Machina ("god from the machine" ) was a device originating from ancient Greek theater, in which an actor playing a god was lowered by ropes and pulleys onto the stage to solve an apparently hopeless problem. That is definitely not our situation; nothing is coming from outside the situation to solve our problem (God could dangle down from the heavens and strike Trump dead, but then we'd have Vance and probably Musk anyhow, so we're still screwed). A Black Swan event is something unexpected that has significant effect. Knowing something is likely to happen isn't the same as predicting the event itself. Something significant is certain to happen because the upcoming kakistocracy will be so unstable as to make some huge goat-fuck inevitable. But there are so many moving parts and unpredictable actors that it's impossible to know what it will be. My guess is that we will be visited by a whole flock of Black Swans over the next four years.
ananda
(31,535 posts)And it will strike, often.
bucolic_frolic
(49,952 posts)Sure to remember. Thanks for the warning, er, optimism.
Fiendish Thingy
(19,113 posts)From Wikipedia:

Is that what you really meant?
Easterncedar
(4,259 posts)PCIntern
(27,289 posts)My classical education and I meant that.
Marthe48
(20,510 posts)I was praying for God not to forsake us, and realized the irony of praying for political intervention in a government with separation of church and state.
On the other hand, if the traitorous cadre and adherents disappeared, I would see it as deus ex machina. Would definitely lift my spirits.
Drones, anyone?
Hugin
(36,052 posts)Last edited Mon Jan 6, 2025, 04:29 PM - Edit history (1)
Although I admire your confidence in tipping points. I have long since ceased to believe in anything beyond a faint whimper. Its a long and fine grind.
AloeVera
(2,537 posts)Ye gods and little fishes!
We can all dream...
obamanut2012
(28,419 posts)Do you mean something else?
PCIntern
(27,289 posts)And yes, I know of what I speak.
Elessar Zappa
(16,328 posts)JoseBalow
(7,270 posts)