Clevo Books’ Post

You may think these words sound a little too obvious, too dignified or solemn, but there is, in fact, a lot more wisdom and relevance in each and every one of them than all of us, feeling perhaps a little too accustomed to peace and safety, may be prepared to acknowledge at first: "If your convictions are worth anything, you should be ready to stand up for them. And, if necessary, make some sacrifices. And if you’re not ready, then you have no convictions at all. You just think you do, but those are not convictions and principles, just thoughts in your head.” --- ALEXEI NAVALNY [in one of his last letters] In the past 8 years, Poland was progressively becoming a microcosm of some of those processes that, with the right circumstances, eventually result in dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and propaganda-controlled party states. To millions of educated Poles (and external observers alike), it very much felt like the country had taken an overnight, drastic turn from the path of a vibrant, aspirational democracy, to one where the ultimate goal was to become an increasingly ideological, right-wing-nationalist monolith, oversaturated with state-controlled narratives and countless disinformation and propaganda platforms, leading to "two countries within one", just like in Trump's America. During all this time, there were a lot of people out there (millions, quite literally!) who had lots of #thoughts, even readiness to share them in private circles, on countless occasions, but not #convictions ! People, who invariably chose the comforts of pragmatic silence (with all of the benefits and opportunities attached) over taking a stance and accepting the necessary risks and sacrifice, in order to defend some of the most fundamental values and principles this country had paid a very high price for, not so long ago. As is always the case, under such circumstances in history, the more you keep explaining and excusing yourself, the more you procrastinate and play the "not my fault/responsibility" or "nothing I can do about it" mind games, the higher the price, the risk and the sacrifice on the horizon. Much can be said about Navalny's thoughts and convictions over the years. His #courage, however, his character, his readiness to take risks or expose himself to grave dangers as the price he was ready to pay for his heart-felt #values and convictions is, and will always remain, undeniable! Few people out there have as much as 10% of Navalny's character or courage, but without people like him, the world as we know it would be a very different place, one where #democracy and #freedom in all of their delicate incarnations, belong in the rare species category, if not entirely extinct.

The Affair of the Poisons exemplifies the fragile balance between grandeur and corruption in Louis XIV's court. An aristocracy gripped by ambition turned to poisoners, occultists, and clandestine rituals, unmasking a harrowing undercurrent of superstition at the height of rational absolutism. This episode serves as an important case study in understanding the interplay of power, belief, and moral decay in early modern Europe. #historicalresearch #academicpublishing #louisxiv #affairofthepoisons #courtlyintrigue #enlightenmentandmagic

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So much has happened, and so much still keeps happening. It was hard to not just sit down and write about it all. And thus, “What Should Not Remain Silent” was born. Inside are thought-provoking reflections on the perturbing events that led America to this point. Get a copy today! You never know if it could be a prophetic read for the times ahead. #WhatShouldNotRemainSilent #HistoryLessons #TimelyTruths #PropheticInsights

Out of all the traps, the EGO Trap can be one of the sneakiest. What’s the surprising solution? Read my latest newsletter to find out more. https://lnkd.in/gsrXe2AZ

History can change in a heartbeat. 🌍📰 Check out this thought-provoking headline from The New European. What are your thoughts on its implications? #CurrentEvents #WorldPolitics #ThoughtProvoking #change #world

A powerful video depiction of a small history of where we've been and where we are. Maybe more accurately, WHO we are. https://lnkd.in/guz4yxFn

The Hypocrisy of the Left: Unveiling Their Inconsistent Stance Discover the controversial history of the left and their hypocrisy throughout time. From their contradictory beliefs to their ideological switch-ups, this video exposes their true colors. #LeftistHypocrisy #PoliticalContradictions #IdeologicalSwitchUps #LeftVsRight #InconsistentBeliefs #PoliticalHistory #DeceptiveIdeologies #PoliticalHypocrisy #LiberalAgenda #PoliticalManipulation

The Gray Line "The Gray Line" is my thought experiment that delves into complex themes surrounding morality, authority, and the nature of intentions. Brace yourself for a riveting narrative that challenges norms and ethical dilemmas, all from the perspective of the young protagonist,11-year-old Michelle, who encounters "The Gray Line". #Blog #ThoughtExperiment #EthicalDilemma #ShortStory #Morality #Authority #Intentions #YoungProtagonist #Perspective #ChallengesNorms