An essential part of the value I bring to the companies I work with as an external advisor and fractional executive is simply having the emotional and tactical distance from the day-to-day details, people, and politics to see things just a little bit more clearly.
When you have some distance from anything, your perspective changes, and you’re able to see a broader view. This view allows you to see patterns and paths forward that might not be obvious when you’re deep in the details — and in the weeds.
Another thing I’ve had the fortune to get some distance from in the last few years is the United States.
I love the United States. Thanks to the fact that my family owned video stores and watching movies was a family passion. I grew up deeply immersed in — and excited by — American stories and values. As I grew up, I also began to fall in love with America’s innovation, political system, ambition, and hustle.
In my late 20s and most of my 30s, I got to live there. It was a dream come true. The friendships and insights I gained while I lived in Silicon Valley were priceless and will be a part of me forever.
But having returned to my home in Australia, I’ve also had the fortune to get a fresh perspective on US politics and culture.
As I watch with horror, sadness, and disgust at the latest mass domestic terrorism event — this time against Asian Americans — I am struck by a simple fact that is hard to see when you live in California soaking up one political ideology or another.
Liberals will have you believe that some groups are privileged while others are subject to systemic racism. Conservatives will have you believe that we are all individuals and we should just pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.
I’ve actually come to believe that it’s both things. Some groups have been privileged due to historical and intentional assaults on their culture and people. Also, some people are victims of their own ineptitude, laziness, and poverty of mind.
But what really strikes me with the benefit of distance is that, in America, the real problem is neither of these things. The problem is that the individual people — of all races and cultures — are not just victims of each other, but of their government and the ultra-rich.
These oligarchs are sabotaging good governance, civil society, and the general welfare for their own selfish ends. They are raping and pillaging the country. And all the while — both on the left and the right — they are distracting everyday well-meaning people with issues of either identity politics or of conspiracy theories and race-bating.
The real overriding question of America is not whether or not “Whites” are more privileged than “Blacks”. Or if Latin Americans are less privileged than Asian Americans. These are questions of fighting over scraps that fall from the dinner table. More literally, these are the kinds of questions desperate people ask when they are over-worked, underpaid, under-educated, lack healthcare, and are under constant assault by disinformation, distraction, and violence.
The real overriding question is one of core values and priorities for the nation. Specifically, it is — are they a society that will continue to optimize for hyper-efficient allocation of wealth to the wealthy. Or are they a society that will start to re-balance its priorities to provide basic services and quality of life to all people — regardless of race, gender, religion, or socio-economic status?
They need to stop fighting amongst themselves and start fighting to reclaim the country’s soul for pragmatism and core social services.
For without health, you can not be productive. Without productivity and a basic living wage, you can not afford essential services. Without essential services, you will resort to opioids and desperate acts. Desperate acts include suspicion and hatred for others who have a few more scraps than you do. Crime and violence will increase. Extremism will grow. Functioning society will collapse. It’s all connected. All part of a system.
Sadly, I fear the negative feedback loop will be hard to slow or stop at this point. However, as the eternal optimist, I continue to hope that some dramatic (but not violent) incident will turn things around.
As I write and comment about these issues, I’ve been struck by the Americans who accuse me of “running away” or demand — paradoxically — “if you don’t like it, get out of our country”. I imagine some version of these sentiments will likely also be left in the comments below.
The fact is, I didn’t run away. I came home to my family. And if I don’t like it, I will speak out as a friend and ally should.
I’m also struck by those that deflect this kind of analysis by saying that Australia (or other countries) have their own issues. This, of course, is true. However, the interest and focus on America is due — in part — to its importance and leadership in the world. It’s also because of its self-declared manifest destiny. Further, it’s irrelevant to point to others when you are getting advice for your own behavior. Finally, this kind of attitude ignores the truly structural, accelerating, and massive scale of the problems currently facing the US. For example, while Australia has racists — they are not mass-murdering people. While Australia’s government is not perfect, it has not completely ground to a halt. It improves and moves forward at a surprisingly fast pace.
Of course, I truly wish my friends and fellow humans in the US the best. The world needs a strong and vibrant America. It is an essential net good for the world.