Dealing with potential crises
1 July 2024
To optimally survive a crisis, we need to recognize the crisis, acknowledge its importance and then change or adapt our behavior to counter it.
Humans, like other species, can evolve to survive a crisis due to changes in our environment:
1. Why do some species survive while others go extinct? Extinction is often caused by a change in environmental conditions. When conditions change, some species possess adaptations that allow them to survive and reproduce, while others do not. If the environment changes slowly enough, species will sometimes evolve the necessary adaptations, over many generations. If conditions change more quickly than a species can evolve, however, and if members of that species lack the traits they need to survive in the new environment, the likely result will be extinction. PBS
As humans, we have an advantage over other species because we can voluntarily change our behavior to counter changes in our environment or society - we do not have to rely on the evolution of genetic changes taking thousands of years. However, people are stubborn and we regularly read about those who die because they refuse to adapt.
For example, why do people refuse to evacuate during a hurricane? Some reasons are:
They believe it is too hard financially or logistically to evacuate
They thought they could handle it on their own or they underestimated the crisis (i.e. it won’t be that bad)
They waited too long to act
Other reasons:
People are overwhelmed by the crisis and are incapable of acting rationally. Many of us are familiar with this feeling after experiencing a traumatic event (death, major accident, loss of job)
People rely on information from those they know instead of experts
We become immune to the constant announcement of crises and do not want to listen anymore
Some people appear to lack the capacity to adapt.
Crises relating to political behavior are particularly difficult because many people
Are frustrated with politics and don’t want to get involved
Do not believe that what they do makes a difference.
In my opinion, and that of many others, the possible reelection of Donald J. Trump as President is a major crisis that will markedly damage our lives, as the United States will transform from the world’s most important democracy to a dictatorship, with Trump resembling Putin or Hitler, as he:
refuses to accept any election results in which he or his followers do not win
threatens, attacks, kills or prosecutes his political opponents, either through his political power or through his followers
ignores laws that interfere with his political goals.
In addition, Trump’s election particularly threatens many groups of Americans:
Women and girls: Trump, with or without Congress, may order a national ban on all abortions, including medical abortions. Women and girls with pregnancy complications will have to go to Canada, Mexico or other countries to get medical care to save their lives, and even then, that travel may be a felony. Trump may also outlaw hormonal birth control, the morning after pill and IUDs. We can anticipate religious indoctrination about reproduction in public schools and additional efforts to restrict the education and employment of women and girls, lest it interfere with the Trump / GOP view of women and girls as baby incubators. In addition, women and girls with cancer, autoimmune disorders or many other diseases will have their treatment options limited if it may cause damage to an embryo or fetus that they may carry during their treatment, even if they are not pregnant now.
Immigrants or those who look like immigrants: Trump has promised “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history” by federalizing National Guard troops to round people up. However, the troubles for immigrants or those who look like them will likely begin November 6, the day after the election, as the Proud Boys and other Trump followers start attacking immigrants.
Minority groups (particularly Black, Hispanic and immigrant Americans): Based on past conduct by Trump and Republican public officials, these non-Whites will now be a major target of discrimination, encouraged by the federal government.
Recipients of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other federal government programs: These programs will be cut, as repeatedly discussed by Trump and Republicans, to pay for Trump’s massive tax cuts to the wealthy.
LGBTQ individuals: In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state laws that criminalized sex between men. Subsequently, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled that the Constitution guarantees same sex couples the right to marry. Under Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to reverse both of these rules to allow States to again criminalize gay relationships and end their right to marry. States would likely also attempt to invalidate existing gay marriages.
Everyone who reads: The Trump administration and its Supreme Court appointees will likely allow book bans and prohibit any content - written, digital or otherwise, that they deem “dangerous”.
Do you recognize that these crises are possible? Are you going to do anything to prevent them from happening? Or will you wait until the hurricane is at your door to decide whether you want to act?
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