Living in the time of The Emperor's New Clothes

We like to think we live in “interesting times.” Then again, people thought the same in the 1930s. And the 1770s. And probably every decade that later made it into history books, tales and broadway plays.

This time, though, it feels like we’re living through a full-scale reenactment of The Emperor’s New Clothes, except the emperor is a Big Orange Leader who believes he’s smarter than everyone else (and, to be fair, smarter than many… maybe even most), and who is convinced he can get away with anything while the world politely nods along.

If the problem ended with him, we’d be in a relatively good shape. But it doesn’t.

He has become a role model for liars, bullies, and cheaters to operate in the open, and even proudly, celebrating behavior that would once have been hidden or at the very least embarrassing.

Lies are no longer a bug; they’re a feature to be proud of. And they’re reinforced by other liars and bullies who understand that this is now a hand-helping-hand economy.

So what can naïve, straight-thinking people do in “interesting times”?

Honestly—I don’t really know. And the uncertainty is a big part of the frustration.

Yet, I still believe that the ability to go to sleep at night with a clean conscience is worth far more than many people currently think. And because of that, the only response that still makes sense to me is to keep walking a straight path. To act cleanly, help honest people honestly, and treat integrity not as a strategy, but as a way of life.

Even when it feels unfashionable. Maybe especially then.