Emperor’s new clothes
July 13th, 2024
I am that kid! That kid who yells “Emperor is naked! The Emperor has no clothes!”. And I am proud of it! And there is nothing wrong with that — being a kid who calls things as they are and being proud of it. People can turn and shake their heads, tut-tutting and with poorly concealed embarrassment. But the true embarrassment is their behavior, their willing blindness to the reality in front of them. And I think they know it, but since they already invested so much effort into not seeing, they cannot just admit the truth. So they keep digging deeper into the denial and frown upon those who dare point out the reality. And what can a kid know, right? They know better and dismiss any unwanted thoughts that can lead to repulsive wantonness of the truth.
It is so much easier to repeat that everything is fine. That in the end everything will even out. That there is no time or place for doom-mongering. That there were so many crises before that our strong and tested will will get us through anything again. That we will manage… And that is not good enough for me. Why go to the point where only the powerful, most ruthless, strongest, or plain luckiest will survive? Why is telling the truth so frowned upon? Why the sideways glances — are my neighbors doing the same? Are they ignoring reality the same way? If so, then everything is fine and nothing needs to be done. And those who are those naked ones are parading everywhere without shame or embarrassment or self-awareness, wallowing in their pride and hubris that is constantly kindled by hangers-on and yes-men. Only kids (or inoffensive idiots) are allowed to tell the truth. That way, it can so easily be dismissed.
