Over the decade in which this shebeen has been open, I have gradually come to the sad conclusion that the climate crisis is far beyond the ability of our democratic republic to handle. Our institutions are too creaky, too money-sodden, and too fat with chokepoints to develop a consensus that the climate crisis is even a crisis at all. Our politicians and our political system are sleepwalking themselves—and us—into an apocalyptic cul de sac from which there is no way out, and in which there are no good choices anymore. More and more, I think that the only nation-states that will survive what’s coming are the most brutal and authoritarian ones. And good morning to you, too. Have a nice day.
