If Putin truly is not real might the purpose have something to do with the problem of evil and individuals ability to cope well with being perpetrators. Some people want the results of evil but no one wants to feel what it feels to be a human wreaking evil. The diffused responsibility for evil as is used in a firing squad so no one man suffers knowing they are a murderer.( the same explanation could be applied to the deep state in the u.s. and all our presidents in my life excepting Jimmy Carter).
If each layer of the set up fades into another layer of the set up ,if no ground is ever found,we might find agency in becoming the ground ourselves. Like conscious dreamers we can be the collective creators with this lasting as long as the dream goes on.
That's an interesting theory, as trauma definitely lessens one's sense of agency. If you listen to the trauma experts, trauma is far more common world wide today than what is officially recognized. Perhaps that's why the world is losing its mind, and why authoritarianism is gaining popularity, since the autocrat presumably restores order and makes life more predictable, which is the key to coping with existential anxiety. Yes, I'm back to Terror Management Theory! :) Therefore, look to Earnest Becker and Sheldon Solomon's group for potential coping solutions. None of the trauma coping strategies are effective unless you feel safe, and with the world feeling less safe daily, that's a challenge. Grief is also at the root of much trauma, and that would make sense here, since the older folks are probably still grieving the loss of their Soviet identity. You have to work through loss before you can move on. The most primal response to grief is anger, and Putin is certainly an outlet for channeling that anger, which perhaps explains his large base of support among older people for the war, unless you think they're simply more easily manipulated, but I'm not so sure of that. Anyway, Russia needs lots of therapy (don't we all), and Putin is not coping with his anger in a healthy way, so it will be up to the artists (including literary and performing artists) to expose the reality in a way that feels safe and helps people cope.
If Putin truly is not real might the purpose have something to do with the problem of evil and individuals ability to cope well with being perpetrators. Some people want the results of evil but no one wants to feel what it feels to be a human wreaking evil. The diffused responsibility for evil as is used in a firing squad so no one man suffers knowing they are a murderer.( the same explanation could be applied to the deep state in the u.s. and all our presidents in my life excepting Jimmy Carter).
If each layer of the set up fades into another layer of the set up ,if no ground is ever found,we might find agency in becoming the ground ourselves. Like conscious dreamers we can be the collective creators with this lasting as long as the dream goes on.
That's an interesting theory, as trauma definitely lessens one's sense of agency. If you listen to the trauma experts, trauma is far more common world wide today than what is officially recognized. Perhaps that's why the world is losing its mind, and why authoritarianism is gaining popularity, since the autocrat presumably restores order and makes life more predictable, which is the key to coping with existential anxiety. Yes, I'm back to Terror Management Theory! :) Therefore, look to Earnest Becker and Sheldon Solomon's group for potential coping solutions. None of the trauma coping strategies are effective unless you feel safe, and with the world feeling less safe daily, that's a challenge. Grief is also at the root of much trauma, and that would make sense here, since the older folks are probably still grieving the loss of their Soviet identity. You have to work through loss before you can move on. The most primal response to grief is anger, and Putin is certainly an outlet for channeling that anger, which perhaps explains his large base of support among older people for the war, unless you think they're simply more easily manipulated, but I'm not so sure of that. Anyway, Russia needs lots of therapy (don't we all), and Putin is not coping with his anger in a healthy way, so it will be up to the artists (including literary and performing artists) to expose the reality in a way that feels safe and helps people cope.
When you were describing the concept, I was totally thinking about Trump for sure.
When you were talking about the loss of agency and the desire for the strongman.
As you were describing your headset idea, I was typing "A Norman Rockwell illustration of Vladmir Putin at a Soda Fountain." 🤣
It told me "It looks like this request may not follow our content policy."