PLEASE read this.
About the importance of throwing sand in the gears—of stubborn collectivism—of focusing on the meaning of “WE”
I stress this most nights on “A Few Thoughts For Those Who Can’t Sleep” on my YouTube channel
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/16/o...
It’s easier to fight authoritarianism than you might think.
@fieldsmeyer.com and I interviewed more than 100 global dissidents & found they often start with small, specific and social actions to help others.
A book preview in @nytopinion.nytimes.com (gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/16/o...
@juliaangwin.com and I interviewed 100+ dissidents
We found is that resistance starts with a decision that is as much spiritual as it is political. Even when it is hard and risky to do so, expand the bounds of whom you are committed to. Reconsider whom you feel responsible for.
Book preview in NYT
The State of American Resistance Is Stronger Than You Think
It’s the willingness of individuals to engage in what the political scientist Maria J. Stephan calls “collective stubbornness”
They interviewed > 100 dissidents and activists and found American resistance is strong. “There are a range of proven ways to defeat a leader who has little regard for the rule of law…forming a wellspring of defiance that is vivid, dynamic and growing every day.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/16/o...
"collective stubbornness”: people working together to increase the costs of authoritarian behavior, throwing enough sand in the gears of the state that its operations sputter and eventually fail.
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/16/o...
@juliaangwin.com and I interviewed 100+ dissidents on five continents.
What they had in common:
At the moment conventional wisdom would say to retreat into the ease of a smaller, more cautious, more guarded life, people facing authoritarianism made their community bigger.
More here, for the NYT👇
We Interviewed Over 100 Dissidents and Activists. This Is the Secret to Resisting Trump. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/16/o...
Authoritarianism is about how we can do less for each other and still feel OK about it”
“A key to fighting against authoritarianism is ‘What more can we do for each other?’”
“after spending a year interviewing more than 100 dissidents and activists on five continents, we believe that American resistance is stronger than you might realize.
There are a range of proven ways to defeat a leader who has little regard for the rule of law”1/7
