Light Relief, Rainbows, and the Real World · 6:37pm Feb 3rd, 2017
New story just submitted: Invisible Shades of Rainbow. This is a sequel to my first story The Art of Rainbow Engineering (you don’t need to read that one first - unless you want to), continuing the exploration of the physics of light. I have learned a lot about writing since I wrote that one, but I still quite like it, and this is what I view as my core activity - explaining basic science through simple fun pony stories. In a way, this sequel is an attempt to get back to that.
But while, at the moment it is very tempting to retreat into a fantasy world and write stories about unicorns and rainbows, it is unfortunately also more necessary than ever before to engage with this world and keep repeating some things, even if everyone gets weary of the exercise. The new travel restrictions banning nationals from many countries from visiting the US are divisive and dangerous. It’s really upsetting to hear so many stories of people unable to visit friends and family. These include those actively fighting terrorism. It’s not clear what we can do except to keep repeating that this is wrong, and to hope that somehow the message will eventually get through. Unfortunately Trump and his supporters seem to be stuck in their own fantasy world where climate change does not exist and all Muslims are terrorists.
At the same time, it doesn't help much if people burn themselves out with activism and such. So, while retreating into a fantasy world is not a good idea, now or ever, occasional visits are good for your sanity and blood pressure, and indirectly to any political engagement you may be doing.
Remember! You can't care for others, if you don't take care of yourself.
I support the nauseating repetition of necessary truths
The prevaricating over whether green card holders are/were supposed to be included is especially strange.
Given Trump's personality, and the word that the order wasn't vetted through the usual channels, it seems probable that he has no clue what he's doing with this. He probably was trying to fulfill one of his inane campaign promises.
I've seen a lot of conspiracy theories about it being part of a power grab, and I could maybe see Trump's aids doing that, but Trump does not strike me as that clever. What's the saying? Don't be too quick to assume malice when it can be explained by incompetence.
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It's a plausible hypothesis that Trump is a malicious genius, who is just pretending to be an idiot for political gain. But the balance of evidence does point towards him being a genuine idiot.
The travel ban got to me as I have a good friend from Iran who is hit by this, and I know plenty of people who have been really messed around by immigration rules, so I can easily visualize the hell which those affected are going through.
I'm also worried by how Theresa May chose to try to ally herself with Trump. That will not be good for Brexit negotiations. The sensible strategy for the European Union now would be to isolate Britain as much as possible, so as not to encourage the far right in other states. The previously unthinkable scenario we are now thinking about is what if Le Pen wins the French presidential election?
4409653 Yeah I feel like if he was really a genius Trump Casino would have worked out better. Also he wouldn't have looked so surprised when he won. The Daily Show described it as "the look of a man whose bluff has been called."
I don't think isolating Britain would have that effect. I feel like the talking points then become "Britain can do it, so can we" and "The bureaucrats in Brussels don't care about any of us: just look what they did to Britain!" The fact that those contradict isn't a problem as long as it's not the exact same person saying both of them, and sometimes even then.