For thousands of years in our folklore and fantasy literature, we have celebrated those who resisted and fought against authority. People like Robin Hood, Frodo and Sam, Sinbad, or Mulan. But in reality, few dare to raise their heads and voices against those in authority. The animosity and outright disdain with which elite power has long regarded the "common people" is most often reciprocated with deference because the common people fear what will happen to them if they dare to step out of line.
"And on Sundays, I elude the eyes and hop the turbine freight to far outside the wire where my white-haired uncle waits."
Our final episode of this ongoing saga, boys and girls, is going to be about the timeless act of rebellion, of kicking against the status quo and shaking our fists at the man! It’s a noble endeavor, this expression of defiance. On one side, we have the valiant knights, the iron-clad castles, and the fiercely bearded peasants of the medieval era. On the other side, we have smartphone-wielding millennials, viral memes, and the ever-present threat of being "canceled" on social media.
"Jump to the ground as the turbo slows to cross the borderline. Run like the wind as excitement shivers up and down my spine."
Medieval rebellions were all about face-to-face confrontations. Think jousting tournaments gone wrong or epic battles with actual swords and arrows. Imagine a medieval protest where peasants gathered outside the castle gates with pitchforks and torches, shouting chants like “Down with the King!” and “More bread, less lead!” It was gritty, it was grimy, and it was definitely not for the faint of heart.
Fast forward to today, and rebellions have moved from the battlefield to the digital arena. Picture a Twitter feed filled with hashtags like #NoMorePlastic or #CancelTheStereotypes. Modern rebels wield smartphones instead of swords, and their weapons are GIFs, memes, and the occasional impassioned tweet. Traditionally, whenever the "ruling class" has been obliged to concede to demands for democracy, it has always given away as little as possible. Sure, we, the people, can vote, and thus have *some* voice in our "representative" government, but many of the more crucial elements of the hierarchical system have remained in place.
"Down in his barn, my uncle preserved for me an old machine for fifty-odd years. To keep it as new has been his dearest dream."
For instance, the Senate, whose members represent the STATE from which they are elected, is commonly referred to as "the upper chamber" which means that the House of Representatives, whose members represent the PEOPLE of their respective districts, are referred to as "the lower house". The first past-the-post electoral system presumes that only the most popular candidate wins the election whether they are qualified for the position or not. Prerogative powers for elected officials grant theoretical immunity from legal prosecution, and above all, our legal system is massively and blatantly biased toward the affluent.
The combination of these factors has essentially ensured that the system remains predisposed to elite rule even while it pretends that the people are in charge, and the gate that excludes the "common people" from power is narrow enough that few of us, if any, are ever able to get through it unless we are backed by the bottomless coffers that are controlled by political parties, who thereafter, use successful candidates as pawns to their fickle whims.
"We fire up the willing engine responding with a roar. Tires spitting gravel, I commit my weekly crime."
When medieval rebels wanted to make a statement, they used tools like catapults, battering rams, and, if they were feeling particularly sassy, a trebuchet. Nothing says “we’re serious” like launching a flaming cow over a castle wall. ("Hey, you said you wanted barbecue…") Modern rebels might consider this a bit excessive, but hey, it was all about the spectacle back then. Instead of catapults, we now have hashtags, viral videos, and online petitions. No need to physically storm a castle—just storm the internet with a well-timed meme or a stirring call to action. The modern equivalent of launching a flaming cow might be a viral TikTok that makes everyone stop and think.
If we had adopted a real representative republic, it would have evolved with the times. Outdated rules and rituals would have been retired, and representation would be tempered with participatory and deliberative decision-making. Instead, we are, more often than not, subjected to advertising techniques that even Madison Avenue envies in an attempt to convince us that our elected representatives actually *do* have our best interests in mind, and will faithfully defend those interests for two, four, or six years at a time, or at least until after the election when their respective political parties will force them to forget about everything that they promised during their campaigns in order to maintain their party's perceived political power.
"Well-weathered leather, hot metal and oil, the scent of country air. Sunlight on chrome, the blur of the landscape, every nerve aware."
Medieval rebellion was marked by passionate oratory and handwritten scrolls. Leaders would rally their followers with stirring speeches and promises of a better life, often topped off with a few promises of loot and land. The medieval version of a viral hashtag might have been something like #DownWithFeudalism. Modern rebellion is characterized by catchy slogans, viral hashtags, and the occasional dramatic post. Forget handwritten scrolls—now we have Instagram stories and YouTube videos. Leaders of modern protests are influencers with millions of followers, and their rallying cries come in the form of #JusticeForAll or #EqualRightsNow.
For instance, how many people who are elected to office in the United States - even at the state level - would you consider "regular people"? Sure, some of them are, but I attended an event not too long ago where I overheard someone say that even those who serve as state representatives really do need to be independently wealthy because being a representative doesn't pay a whole lot. Um, NEWS FLASH: it's not supposed to. And if your salary is tied to the average teacher's salary (as it is here in Texas), why are you even talking about raising your own salary but not raising that of teachers? These are the people who are supposed to be leading our children into the future, and they can't even afford REAL Yodels. They have to buy the steamer-trunk sized Little Debbie's or the equivalent.
Strategy in the medieval world involved knowing how to navigate the terrain, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent’s castle, and perhaps avoiding a knight’s lance aimed at your face. Subtlety wasn’t really on the agenda—after all, the louder the rebellion, the better! Strategy today involves crafting the perfect social media post, leveraging influencers, and avoiding getting caught up in a Twitter feud. Modern rebels have to master the art of timing and relevance—sometimes it’s about being first to the party, other times it’s about being the loudest voice in the digital crowd.
"Drive like the wind straining the limits of machine and man. Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I've got a desperate plan."
As an economic elite has reasserted its power, the right to vote in protest of their hand-picked candidates has become (at least to them) less than tolerable. Instead of being seen as an essential modifier in political discussions, it has been increasingly treated as a threat, to be stamped under the jackboots of "popular opinion". And those who protest against the established political class in an attempt to protect us from their over-reach are often publicly derided as delusional or outright insane for their sheer temerity to stand, unarmed, in front of a heavily armored juggernaut. And those who do so also take on the burden of legal jeopardy that becomes heavier with every year as the state expands not just new criminal measures but also civil measures against those who dare to dissent.
If you don't believe me, look for yourself at how Gary Johnson was portrayed in the media during his 2016 campaign, or how RFK Jr. has been (and will be) portrayed in the media during this year's campaign.
In the battle of medieval versus modern rebellion, it’s clear that both eras have their strengths. The medieval rebels had grit and an impressive array of medieval weaponry, while the modern rebels have the power of viral content and social media savvy.
"At the one-lane bridge, I leave the giants stranded at the riverside [and] race back to the farm to dream with my uncle at the fireside."
So, whether you’re storming a castle or trending on Twitter, remember that rebellion is all about making a difference—preferably without getting your catapult stuck in traffic or your hashtag buried under a mountain of memes. In the end, both medieval and modern rebels are united in their quest for change. One may have done it with swords and fire, while the other does it with pixels and hashtags. And really, who says you can’t mix a bit of both?
So, if you want a voice in what is happening to your area, to your state, or to your country, speak up. Register to vote, then cast your vote for the candidate that YOU choose.
We are the candidates; you are the voters. We should have to EARN your vote.
