The Persistence Of Narrative

 

We’ll come back to this.

This post, I'm sure, will generate a lot of "elitist doesn't connect with The People" bloviation, but in Europe - where the economy isn't nearly as good - people are *more* accurate and less doomy about the economy. This is an entitled, narrative-addicted American thing. https://t.co/iaovxumLYw

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) December 5, 2023

A better view of that chart:

To crib from @JVLast, hope this is just a long lag in perception. If it's actually just mass delusion - a fever that doesn't seem to break - we're in deep and inevitable political trouble next year.

This is from the @FT: Americans are *wildly* wrong about the economy. pic.twitter.com/CS2kzLn0Gm

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) December 5, 2023

Again: "and energy?"

The U.S. has been the world’s biggest oil producer since 2018 and continued its dominance in 2022 by producing close to 18 million barrels per day (B/D). This accounted for nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. 

Almost three-fourths of the country’s oil production is centered around five states: Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Alaska, and Colorado.

Yes, oil prices hit an all time high in 2022 due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But energy independence for America hasn’t been an issue since 2018. Unless you think oil is going to stop being a global market (maybe Trump IS that stupid), prices are going to be affected by global events. But energy independence is no longer an issue.

Except to Trump.

It’s all about the narrative.

Several years ago I wrecked a car. Low speed, no injuries, the cars were both even driveable. The other driver immediately called his lawyer, 🤷🏻‍♂️, who showed up to berate me for moving my car out of traffic, because police and reports and establishing liability. I’m pretty sure this lawyer wasn’t even born when I entered law school, and she was trying to enforce laws repealed in favor of “no-fault” insurance long before she was old enough to go to law school (if not before she was born, as well). 

Narratives are damned persistent. And can be pernicious. Ironic, as I’ll be writing again about persistent and pernicious narratives as Advent proceeds. Must be something in American culture…🤔