Have I missed anything?

November was the month of big returns: Donald Trump's election as US president - again. Funnily, I've just returned too. Post-"babypause" (a term that should be cancelled immediately), I faced Trump II and questions about its impact on IDM target countries.

 

This wasn't déjà-vu. The world has changed, especially in our "Insel der Seligen." I've changed too, questioning the current role of political analysts. During elections, they morphed into fortune-tellers instead of providing solid arguments.

 

Returning from maternal timelessness, I realized how odd it is to expect instant reactions to shocking events. Why can't we sit with the shock without rushing to superficial answers? Isn't in-depth thinking what think tanks are for? Shall we always give into the media's urge or do we have the right to say: I really do not have an answer right now.

 

Eva Menasse recently nailed it in "Fleisch" magazine: she won't write banalities just to be quick. The historian in me questions this societal urge for immediate commentary. How can we predict Trump II when we haven't grasped how Trump I was even possible?

 

So, perhaps we should once in a while resist the pressure to react instantly. We can't control what's coming, but as informed individuals, we must take time to choose our words wisely, particularly on Social Media. 

 

While seeking answers for others, we might miss asking the truly important questions. 

Let's rediscover the joy of exploring the unknown without the constant pressure to understand everything immediately. That's how children learn, and they're undoubtedly better at it. They're not afraid or ashamed of not knowing. So, what have I missed? I think there's a lot…