Thread by @JYSexton

America is dying because of its myths. The illusion of exceptionalism, of rugged individualism, of a functioning meritocracy and a boundless future devoid of consequence or change.

These things have never existed and we’re still desperately clinging to them in a flood.

The panic and desperate uncertainty, the gnawing anger and rage, is a realization of actual reality. The decay being exposed has festered for decades. Things haven’t been right for a long time.

We have to discard our myths of a functioning America. They brought us here.

So much of America culture has been predicated on these myths and symbols. On flags and speeches about freedom and liberty and opportunity.

They were illusions that could only hold for so long until the check came due. We can’t expect them to save us. Something has to change.

Myths aren’t a way to organize a society. They can be weaponized and seized. Watching Trump clumsily and stupidly hug flags made this clear.

We have to make something real and human and sustainable. Waiting on the myth of American exceptionalism to fix everything will destroy us

When I started writing AMERICAN RULE I didn’t understand how potent and essential American myth had been in the country’s rise to power, but it turned out to be the most devastating weapon ever imagined.

It’s not a means to live. It’s a means to conquer.

penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611439/a…

The sad truth is that we’ve been living in an illusion our entire lives. It seems like the pandemic is destroying everything but it’s just bringing the rot to the surface.

Doubling-down on old myths won’t save us. They got us here and they will destroy us if we let them.