...Who Lives in Canada
Why jokes about "moving to Canada" aren't funny
Hi, loyal Systematic Organization readers! A little bit of an unplanned hiatus, as the realities of teaching, research, and writing for paying gigs have eaten up the time that this newsletter requires.
You will, however, be hearing from me over the next several days with links to other stuff that I’ve written. First up is an article for Slate in which I unpack the meaning of liberals’ jokes/threats/kidding-on-the-square about moving to Canada:
Canada’s fate will remain entwined with America’s for a very long time to come. Taking that relationship—and responsibility—seriously stands the jokes about fleeing northward on their head. The way for Americans to be responsible neighbors isn’t to leave but to stay. If hegemony can’t be escaped, maybe we can at least fight to improve it.