Indulge In Some Metaphorical Paranoia
Long ago, Asia wanted to conquer the West. Its first foray, through Mongols, had gone well until it became clear that resistance would be too strong and thus, the invasion too costly. In the grand tradition of plotting over tea and chess, the overlords of Asia met with clasped hands and faintly glowing dark eyes. "We cannot challenge them directly, so instead we will follow the most devious of strategies: we will turn them against themselves," said one Minister from deep in the rolling hills. "How can this be done?" asked another. The Minister from the city spoke up: "We will use two strokes of the axe: first, we will spread the worst of our own society to them, and then, we will turn them against themselves by making them compete against us to be more like us." As he explained his plans, the others agreed: this was indeed a subterfuge of many subtle layers, misdirections, deceptions, deflections, camouflage, and obfuscation! It made them feel in...