"Deus ex machina", my friends.

[PCIntern]

Trust me, it will strike from the firmament. No one could have predicted what happened last time. This time will be no different.

Bookmark this post.

That is all.

[Ocelot II]

1. A Black Swan event is almost guaranteed.

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]

2. And we have the worst possible people in charge to handle it...

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. Is it really a "Black Swan" if we know it is coming?

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]

11. True...

But I’ll take either at this point

[Ocelot II]

16. A Deus ex Machina is quite different from a Black Swan.

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]

3. Aka climate change!

And it will strike, often.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Remarkable post delivered with certainty.

Sure to remember. Thanks for the warning, er, optimism.

[Fiendish Thingy]

6. Do you really mean "Deus ex Machina"?

From Wikipedia:

Deus ex machina (/ˌdeɪəs ɛks ˈmækɪnə, ˈmɑːk-/ DAY-əs ex-MA(H)K-in-ə,[1] Latin: [ˈdɛ.ʊs ɛks ˈmaːkʰɪnaː]; plural: dei ex machina; English "god from the machine&quot [2][3] is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly or abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence.[4][5] Its function is generally to resolve an otherwise irresolvable plot situation, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending or act as a comedic device.[6]

Is that what you really meant?

[Easterncedar]

7. Let's hope for that!

[PCIntern]

10. Yes

My classical education and I meant that.

[Marthe48]

17. I have been thinking of deus ex machina a lot

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]

8. While we wait, the most vulnerable get slowly clubbed by the scores...

Last edited Mon Jan 6, 2025, 03:29 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. It’s a long and fine grind.

[AloeVera]

9. Trump's gonna drop dead?

Ye gods and little fishes!

We can all dream...

[obamanut2012]

12. Deus ex machina is a good thing

Do you mean something else?

[PCIntern]

13. It will be a good thing in consideration of everything else .

And yes, I know of what I speak.

[Elessar Zappa]

14. I hope you're right!

[JoseBalow]

15. Let me guess...