The Perfect Storm was a phrase made popular by journalist Sebastian Junger, with his 1997 novel and subsequent major motion picture. The subtitle is: A True Story Of Men Against The Sea. I think the phrase applies now as then. You can read my review of the book here.
The perfect storm describes a confluence of circumstance that makes the outcome unavoidable. You could say it’s a “permutation of complications” (Wallace); or “co-incidence of circumstance” (Tolstoy); or “chain of circumstance” (Vasquez). In other words, thinkers and writers have been observing and recording the phenomenon for a long, long time. I’m almost sure I recall it also in For Whom The Bell Tolls (Hemingway).
It’s at the other end of the cause and effect spectrum as Occam’s Razor. Which purports that the simplest explanation is often the right one. Friar Ockham, however, lived in the 14th Century. Which was a long, long, long time before Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner and other notables considered happenstance – with regard to “what the hell’s going on?”
Parallels
to today are many. Especially concerning Election 2016, the upcoming 2020 Election (perfect vision election?), and the coronavirus effect.
As I wrote in Election 2016:
There are two worlds–one is real and the other illusory. Donald J. Trump lives in and has been extremely successful in the real world. The real world is the world of gravity; it is a competitive, chaotic, hostile, Darwinian, Hobbesian world. The unreal world is the one of peace, wherein everyone is equal and free, everyone matters, and everyone is entitled to life without struggle and failure–a noncompetitive, nonjudgmental la-la land of rainbows and unicorns, and one in which Mother Earth nurtures and cares for everyone. (Sorry) [page 310]
I am sorry. The real world is tough. Now, we’re some seventy days into the effect of the virus. Folks, all manner of “folks”, are starting to do a cost/benefit analysis regarding what is most important. And …
Hello!
Welcome to the real world. Mother Nature is a bitch!
Democrats
etc. and so on, want you to go to the extremes of the spectrum. Either you believe the wildest of theories – that of Russia-gate; or, the simple one – that Trump is evil (i.e. the Devil, racist, etc. etc.). For whatever the reason? (Calling Dr. Freud.) They want you to deny the real world – the world of complexity and unknowns – of perfect storms.
The Spectrum
is represented by the political parties’ world views’ etc. and so on.
At one end (Democrats, postmodernists, liberals, progressives, etc.) think (?) we should be cautious regarding opening up the economy. I have to question their sincerity. Say that and why that any way you want. Hmm?
The other end is represented by President Donald Trump and those he represents. We (yes me) think we’ve got to take the beast on. Fight. No more hiding (Biden). Avoidance?
Yes, “we” will lose some in the battle. However, the greater good is served by engaging the enemy. Because, I believe in our collective strength!
Winning
is defined by many metrics. I live in the real world, where there are winners and losers. Sometimes, you (as an individual) lose in the short term, but win in the long term. You/I (as an individual) sacrifice your life so that others may live to carry on – carry the fight/life forward.
Open! “We” have to work! Live, love, sacrifice, struggle, suffer, and yes die. That’s life.
Don’t take the bribe. It’s a lie.
