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PCIntern

(27,206 posts)
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 03:36 PM Jan 6

"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.

Bookmark this post.

That is all.

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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"Deus ex machina", my friends. (Original Post) PCIntern Jan 6 OP
A Black Swan event is almost guaranteed. Ocelot II Jan 6 #1
And we have the worst possible people in charge to handle it... Wounded Bear Jan 6 #2
Is it really a "Black Swan" if we know it is coming? Fiendish Thingy Jan 6 #5
True... PCIntern Jan 6 #11
A Deus ex Machina is quite different from a Black Swan. Ocelot II Jan 6 #16
Aka climate change! ananda Jan 6 #3
Remarkable post delivered with certainty. bucolic_frolic Jan 6 #4
Do you really mean "Deus ex Machina"? Fiendish Thingy Jan 6 #6
Let's hope for that! Easterncedar Jan 6 #7
Yes PCIntern Jan 6 #10
I have been thinking of deus ex machina a lot Marthe48 Jan 6 #17
While we wait, the most vulnerable get slowly clubbed by the scores... Hugin Jan 6 #8
Trump's gonna drop dead? AloeVera Jan 6 #9
Deus ex machina is a good thing obamanut2012 Jan 6 #12
It will be a good thing in consideration of everything else . PCIntern Jan 6 #13
I hope you're right! Elessar Zappa Jan 6 #14
Let me guess... JoseBalow Jan 6 #15

Ocelot II

(123,904 posts)
1. A Black Swan event is almost guaranteed.
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 03:39 PM
Jan 6

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

Fiendish Thingy

(19,023 posts)
5. Is it really a "Black Swan" if we know it is coming?
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 03:43 PM
Jan 6

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,

Ocelot II

(123,904 posts)
16. A Deus ex Machina is quite different from a Black Swan.
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 04:43 PM
Jan 6

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.

bucolic_frolic

(49,459 posts)
4. Remarkable post delivered with certainty.
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 03:42 PM
Jan 6

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

Fiendish Thingy

(19,023 posts)
6. Do you really mean "Deus ex Machina"?
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 03:46 PM
Jan 6

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?

Marthe48

(20,355 posts)
17. I have been thinking of deus ex machina a lot
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 04:52 PM
Jan 6

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

(35,950 posts)
8. While we wait, the most vulnerable get slowly clubbed by the scores...
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 03:52 PM
Jan 6

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. It’s a long and fine grind.

PCIntern

(27,206 posts)
13. It will be a good thing in consideration of everything else .
Mon Jan 6, 2025, 04:16 PM
Jan 6

And yes, I know of what I speak.

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