Ok, bucket list item crossed off. Tonight I was 4th row right in front of YoYo Ma!! ..with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra! My God, watching that man play the cello in person was breathtaking! 🎻.
Thanks @Shoshin1, I enjoyed listening to the two talks.
I used AI to give me some definitions of fascism a while back and got inconclusive results on whether Trump can be seen as a fascist. He definitely checks some boxes, but to my mind not all. This does not mean that I dislike him any less. And then of course there is the problem that there is not a single definition of fascism.
Personally, today, I think that by calling him a fascist we lose much clarity and precision. It's intellectually lazy. Nearly a hundred years have passed - things have changed. Political scientists should define (and probably have) what precisely "Trumpism" is in its main elements in detail. The details matter because we can then better see, keep noticing, and follow the development of the phenomena. Also, then we can better counter it.
Just my 2cc this tired evening.
Just started watching this ...
American Heretics : The Untold Truth About Faith in America's Most Conservative State
"American Heretics" explores the intersection of faith, politics, and social justice in the heart of the Bible Belt. Featuring progressive voices challenging conservative norms, the documentary delves into the struggles of redefining Christianity in Oklahoma—a state marked by deep-rooted traditions and social challenges. From LGBTQ+ rights to addressing historical injustices, it uncovers how faith can inspire change in unexpected places.