Democracies in peril and other small great dramas
This autumn, we followed a dramatic Brazilian election from the heart of the action: from the Brazilian Supreme Court itself. We spent six weeks in Brazilia - Tainá as a visiting professional, and I as the gringo boyfriend who was frequently denied entry because I forgot to bring pants (don’t worry, I was wearing shorts), or because I was filming birds in a “no camera-zone”.
From Brasilia, we witnessed all aspects of a democracy in peril. We saw atrocious election crimes, power abuse and antidemocratic rhetoric that would put even Trump to shame, and tens of thousands of people demonstrating in favor of a military coup. We also witnessed the bravery of voters, activists, public officials and politicians, and the fundamental role of institutions in protecting democracy.
One day, in the still turbulent aftermath of the victory of Lula, my unsuitable outfit confined me to wait for Tainá in the Supreme Court’s parking lot. Here, I witnessed another drama. A drama much smaller, but simultaneously much greater, than the one Tainá was accompanying in the corridors of power just next door.
When the tension in our world, the human world, is such, that it feels like the whole universe holds its breath, most of our neighbors go on as if nothing is happening. In the societies of our smaller neighbours, the trembles of the world’s fourth largest democracy probably feels as distant and insignificant as the election of new termite queens is to us.
Yet our dramas and decisions are not insignificant to our neighbors. They will often define the fate of entire populations. This could happen at any scale, from a military coup which dooms the Amazon, to the decision to cover the parking lot of the Supreme Court in tarmac, putting an abrupt end to one of the world’s most beautiful spectacles. It could even happen in as small a decision as what to eat for dinner, or cutting the grass in your garden.
As the dominant species on Earth, every one of us has immense power and immense responsibilities. We are always taught to manage this responsibility by using our vote. I will repeat this, because if there is anything I have seen this autumn, it is the importance of democracy. But I also ask you to use your eyes, use your curiosity, and to open your heart to the wonders of the many small great miracles that surround us. Make your decisions based on everyone it impacts, and know that there is more that happens in the world than our human dramas.
The miracle I witnessed in the Parking lot of the Supreme Court was the mating ritual of thousands of termites. This was such an impressive sight that I really recommend having a look for yourself.
