Here is another major thing I find horrible in a war: confusion. Not only a general lack of order and timely information, but also of a global view of the situation. I can understand how people try --as you rightly say-- to *make sense* out of the little bits and pieces of their personal experience. I can also understand how this contributes powerfully to the confusion!
Before recent events in the US, I would've asked Maria how she would explain Putin's blatant use of attacking civilian targets to promote terror but just recently read a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer about the futility of communicating anything to people who are locked into their world view. He called the phenomenon "stupidity". The quote is online and it starts like this "‘Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice." Maria is a classic example of what Bonhoeffer was describing in NAZI Germany. MAGA people in the US are the same in that they pick and choose which "facts" reinforce their worldview.
Excellent journalism, but I am frankly a little concern for your safety. You are an experienced traveler so I won't say more except I think you must have courage and that's something I wish more politicians would have more of.
Well, Maria's town was destroyed and some of her neighbours killed, so I guess whatever makes sense to her is valuable for helping her survive.
I was definitely in no danger at the refugee centre! I was driven there as an honoured guest, and there was no sign of dysfunctional. behaviour of any kind. But thanks for your concern. It's clearly possible I'll end up in a dangerous situation at some point.
Here is another major thing I find horrible in a war: confusion. Not only a general lack of order and timely information, but also of a global view of the situation. I can understand how people try --as you rightly say-- to *make sense* out of the little bits and pieces of their personal experience. I can also understand how this contributes powerfully to the confusion!
Before recent events in the US, I would've asked Maria how she would explain Putin's blatant use of attacking civilian targets to promote terror but just recently read a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer about the futility of communicating anything to people who are locked into their world view. He called the phenomenon "stupidity". The quote is online and it starts like this "‘Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice." Maria is a classic example of what Bonhoeffer was describing in NAZI Germany. MAGA people in the US are the same in that they pick and choose which "facts" reinforce their worldview.
Excellent journalism, but I am frankly a little concern for your safety. You are an experienced traveler so I won't say more except I think you must have courage and that's something I wish more politicians would have more of.
Well, Maria's town was destroyed and some of her neighbours killed, so I guess whatever makes sense to her is valuable for helping her survive.
I was definitely in no danger at the refugee centre! I was driven there as an honoured guest, and there was no sign of dysfunctional. behaviour of any kind. But thanks for your concern. It's clearly possible I'll end up in a dangerous situation at some point.