Yeah, for a long while now it’s been the case that the US exports its culture. Trends in America don’t always reach us here in Europe - gun ownership and military fetishisation being the first examples I can think of that didn’t make it across the pond. But a lot of stuff that happens in America seems to kinda osmosis into our culture after a few years.

That’s why many of us have been watching America with growing horror. Yeah, some people over here felt a bit superior, like we’d never fall for populist, nationalism, fascism. But brexit proved just how fuckin dumb our electorate can be, and that people who think they’re not vulnerable to propaganda are very vulnerable to propaganda.

More recently we have the online safety bill in the UK, which is an abomination. It’s not fully come into effect yet but when it does just one consequence is that we’ll need to identify ourselves before using social media. And, so far, people are swallowing it. Likewise the designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation (They’re not at all, a non violent direct action group).

Elsewhere in Europe we’re seeing similar trends towards right wing authoritarianism. It’s difficult to discuss overall trends in Europe because we’re a bunch of different countries - but the general trend in seeing is fuckin scary.

I don’t like to be a conspiracy shouter, but it almost seems like a conspiracy, this global lurch to the right. The only thing that makes me doubt conspiracy is the incompetence of our political leaders. That said, there’s plenty of competent people at the top of the capitalism tree, and politicians do what lobbyists pay them to.

You’re right, they are getting stronger and their program is accelerating. By the time we realise what’s happening it may already be too late.