Metaphysical Docility

Americans are metaphysically docile; they can't even imagine acting outside the prevailing elite consensus. Taking any risk -- no matter how small -- toward freeing themselves from the anguish of moral conformity, is not an option they even consider.

Non-cooperation with authoritarians, non-compliance with tyrants, non-collaboration with despots--these acts are not only off the table, they are outside their perceived options. They are so intellectually helpless that they can't imagine they have any independent choices.

Self-esteem, dignity, resolve--these notions are so removed from their imagined reality that they appear to them as historical fictions. Were they not so complaisant, they might surprise themselves with the results of small efforts.