The Spell of the Status Quo

and breaking it

The Spell of the Status Quo

Nothing new here. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” But like the advice “be yourself,” it is at the same time vague and inspiring. This little substack seeks to provide its readers with concrete actions, taken every day, to change your life and the world.

Status quo is almost like water to a fish. You really don’t notice it too much until it is somehow taken away or disrupted. That invisibility leads to unthinking acceptance, and is the tool of anyone who wants to take your freedom away: spouse, cult or political movement.

Would you pause to reflect if this goat were chasing you?

Most of our life is unthinking automation. With good reason, it is how we can function without taking most of the day to get something done. That tool allowed us to react to tigers hunting us in the African savanahs. It allowed us to harvest crops before a storm.

But it can also be used against us.

Tactics

Because every interpersonal revolutionary needs weapons of t…