By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Nobel laureate Maria Ressa has drawn parallels between the erosion of US institutions under the Trump administration and the political climate in her home country, the Philippines, warning Americans against complacency in defending their rights. Ressa highlighted the speed at which these changes occurred, especially after the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. She noted the manipulation of public information as a key tactic used by illiberal leaders, and emphasized the existence of a “dictator’s playbook.” Ressa advocates for continuing the work of holding leaders accountable, drawing on her own experiences.
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The essence of the discussion, as illuminated by Maria Ressa’s conversation with Jon Stewart, paints a stark picture: Americans, in the face of a perceived assault on free speech, often react like “deer in the headlights.” This analogy, while perhaps not universally applicable, captures a widespread sense of paralysis and bewilderment. The situation is complex, rooted in a confluence of factors, and requires deeper analysis.
One key element contributing to this collective inertia is the ingrained “Every man for themselves” mentality that permeates American society. This ideology, where individual success is prioritized above collective well-being, undermines the ability to unite in the face of shared threats. When the call to action demands unity and collective effort, many Americans find themselves unprepared, having been taught to focus primarily on personal advancement. This can result in people caring more about their personal outcome and not caring about how others are getting affected, creating an environment where people are disengaged from each other.
This societal individualistic bias makes it hard for Americans to care about the threat on their freedom of speech. When they feel unaffected they care less about others who are bothered, which is not how they are raised. This is the case when Trump is literally the poster child of how the individual success is. People should be proud of this.
The rise of authoritarianism, as Ressa points out, often begins with the manipulation of the public information ecosystem. This resonates strongly with the current media landscape in the United States, where the rise of partisan news outlets, the pervasiveness of social media, and the spread of misinformation have created an environment ripe for manipulation. The lack of critical thinking, which is also contributed to the loss of our freedoms, makes the situation worse. This is happening in every field, from the government to the judicial system.
The article points out that the media and entertainers, certain political people have become targets. This makes everyone vulnerable in the near future, along with the rise of online watchdogs of the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security. The next step will be the neighbors watching neighbors, which is another aspect that is a part of the authoritarian play book.
The response to this situation can feel inadequate. Many Americans might feel helpless, unsure how to effectively counter the erosion of democratic principles. Protesting, contacting representatives, and voicing concerns on social media, while important, often seem to have a limited impact. The feeling is that they are not enough, and the call to action is not enough. This leaves them with little options and often leads them to want to buy a gun, a solution that is not agreed on.
As an example of how bad it has become, the article provides a deck of cards to show the current status. There is the deck where freedom of speech and the press are in danger and has become a target, from the government and the media to the platforms and technology used today.
Ultimately, the challenge is to overcome this “deer in the headlights” response. It involves fostering a greater sense of community and shared purpose, educating ourselves and others about the threats to democracy, and actively engaging in civic life. It means recognizing that the fight for free speech is not just an abstract principle, but a fundamental requirement for a just and free society.