The Opinions The Beautiful Danger of Normal Life During an Autocratic Rise
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Jun 9, 2025 Masha Gessen, a renowned columnist for The New York Times, delves into the human tendency to seek normalcy amid chaos. They discuss the unsettling parallels between autocracy in Russia and rising authoritarianism in the U.S., emphasizing the dangers of desensitization to political repression. Gessen highlights innovative strategies needed to confront authoritarianism and the importance of maintaining optimism in political leadership. The conversation urges vigilance and active engagement to protect democracy against creeping tyranny.
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Human Habit to Normalize Crisis
- People adapt quickly to crisis by normalizing shocking events to maintain life.
- Masha Gessen witnessed this in war zones where life routines resumed within days despite ongoing conflict.
Shock and Adapt Cycle in Russia
- Putin's autocratic actions repeatedly shocked people but then became normalized over time.
- Masha experienced this shock-and-adapt cycle throughout Putin's rise and aggressive moves in Russia.
Rapid Autocracy Overwhelms Democracy
- Rapid assault on democratic institutions overwhelms the system designed for slow responses.
- People may rely on their unchanged personal lives and stop paying attention to political attacks.