Bombs Away!

Geopolitics in 2026...

(Geopolitics in 2026. Image: Substack AI)

“Madness is rare in individuals—but in groups, parties, nations, and ages it is the rule.”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 to 1900)

Joel Bowman with today’s Note From the End of the World: Buenos Aires, Argentina…

Is man a “teachable animal,” capable of learning from experience? Or is he doomed to historical repetition, as the saying goes?

On an individual level, he may learn to stack one block on top or another, to eat with a knife and fork and to enunciate his diphthongs.

Stick him in a classroom, however, and he’s as prone to believe that XX = XY as he is to understand Aristotle’s A = A.

Get him to a voting both, and there’s no telling what collectivist nonsense he might be persuaded to believe. “Diversity is our greatest strength”… “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”… “Silence is violence (and so are words)”… “Workers of the world unite!”

It seems the greater the number of men, the steeper the decline in his ability to think rationally, reasonably… or even at all. “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority,” cautioned the inimitable Mark Twain, “it is time to pause and reflect.”

Naturally, the world of politics does not lend itself to sane and prudent thinking. Rather, it is the domain of murky ambiguity, deceptive nuance, and slippery slopes. At turns captivating and mortifying, it arrests the attention like a fat man bouncing on a diving board at the local swimming pool; one simply cannot look away.

Before we (ahem…) dive into the Notes from this past week – concerning Venezuela, BRICS, global energy supply and much more – a special thanks to our vibrant Notes readership, who are not afraid to wade into the comments section with their own thoughts and opinions. If you’re not already a member, kindly consider joining the conversation today…

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And now for your Notes From the End of the Week…

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Final Notes…

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Whatever you’re up to this weekend, we trust you’re enjoying it in good cheer and fine company.

As always, stay tuned for more Notes From the End of the World…

Cheers,

Joel Bowman