Mirror Image

Triple-vaccinated Colin Powell died of coronavirus. That fact alone should serve as the impetus for a cultural, philosophical, and religious revival in the United States. Moreover, the primary role of a writer in a society is to make arguments and to point out facts that stir the conscience of a nation and a society. Writers act as the conscience of a nation when no one else does. Thus, as Alexis De Tocqueville said, writers are often left to their own devices by governments and states because of the fact that they serve as the conscience of a nation and a society.

Tocqueville added that in virtually every instance, writers neither have the money nor the armed militia to threaten a government or a state. Nor do many writers intend on toppling their government or state apparatus. At least in my case, I am not opposed to the American state, nor do I wish to topple the American government. In most instances, writers are equipped with just an active mind and a pen with the hope of seeing certain changes and reforms take place in their respective societies. As a result, governments and states are obliged to let writers go about their business freely, because writers assume and play a crucial and important role in society that no one else is willing to assume or play.

I mentioned a number of parallels between the Soviet experience of the 20^th century and Washington’s experience in the 21^st century over the course of the last few blog posts. Another parallel that is worth mentioning is that despite the fact that Washington and Moscow have been diametrically opposed to one another for decades, the “security tone” of both sides are totally identical. Thus, one can understand the history, decision-making, strategy, and trajectory of one side by understanding the history, decision-making, strategy, and trajectory of the other. That is perhaps why I was able to draw a number of parallels between the two sides over the course of the last few blog posts.

Moreover, George Bernard Shaw was one of the first Western writers to document the striking parallels between the West and Russia after a trip he made to the former Soviet Union in the early 20^th century. What is important to keep in mind is that according to Freud, we encounter entities and individuals who already exist in our subconscious mind. Also, when we are enamored or stirred by another entity or person, it is because we see ourselves in that other entity or person. Thus, one can argue with a certain degree of confidence that the United States and Russia are mirror images of one another, which is why each side is both enamored and agitated at the sight of the other.

From personal experience, I would argue that indeed, Freud’s assertion that we encounter entities and individuals who already exist in our subconscious mind is true and valid. Over the course of the last few years and months – but especially recently – I have encountered entities and individuals who long existed in my subconscious mind as a result of experience, but in a more dynamic and pure form. And in a few instances, the individuals I encountered were mirror images of my own self, even if they were from the opposite gender. As Plato said, reality is a reflection of the mind. Thus, if we wish to understand reality, we must first examine our own personal thoughts.