A sense of paralysis has settled in the wake of fascism's resurgence, as described by an author who did not foresee such a reaction. When fascism adorned itself with its symbolic attire, it evoked a chilling effect that many thought belonged to a bygone era. From Nazi salutes to the upheaval of reality, these behaviors were once considered relics of the past. However, recent events have shown otherwise.
The author recounts a meeting with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, while declining an appointment with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The decision by JD Vance to meet with Weidel instead of Scholz has raised eyebrows, though it might have caused more alarm had it not been accompanied by additional signaling. This scenario underscores the author's assertion that the postwar consensus has unraveled.
The AfD party, according to the author, is attempting to forge a new reality. Their actions are seen as a direct threat to democracy, echoing textbook behaviors where truth is distorted and reality is flipped on its head. The vice-president of a nation currently dismantling its institutions has even lectured Europe on this agenda to "destroy democracy."
The author paints a picture of inaction, where limbs remain frozen in Sieg Heils and voices are silenced. This stagnation spans from the most mundane aspects to the most extensive concerns. A striking image is presented of dreams where people fear dreaming itself is forbidden, reminiscent of Charlotte Beradt's work. Between 1933 and 1939, Beradt compiled "The Third Reich of Dreams," chronicling the nightmares of citizens under Nazi rule and smuggling these accounts to the United States.