Back in the 1980s, Friday night TV was a staple for me and my friends. Networks like CBS and ABC dedicated their primetime slots to shows that appealed specifically to teens and preteens. The themes weren’t groundbreaking; there was an odd trend of wealthy white families adopting charming black children, with shows like “Webster” and “Diff’rent Strokes” leading the charge. Personally, I leaned more towards “Webster.” After that phase, the spotlight shifted to shows centered around cool cars. “Knight Rider” and “The Dukes of Hazzard” were among my top picks.

The allure of the black Trans Am with its signature moving red light from “Knight Rider” still captivates me. However, these shows, aimed at a younger audience, often suffered from lazy writing. I recall an episode of “The Dukes of Hazzard” where Bo and Luke Duke were accused of transporting moonshine. As they were pursued by the villainous Boss Hogg through sharp turns and dirt roads, they were eventually cornered. But when the trunk was opened, all the moonshine bottles inside were broken. “Ain’t no law again transporting broken bottles, Boss Hogg. We gotta let ‘em go,” one of the characters quipped. “Oooh, dagnabbit! Curse dem Duke boys! They done beat me aga’n!” Boss Hogg lamented. Even as a child, I thought, “Well, that was kind of sudden.”

Interestingly, that abruptness mirrored a real-life phenomenon: tipping points. They don’t unfold gradually. Instead, they simmer beneath the surface, often unnoticed until they burst into view. These pivotal moments gather momentum quietly, waiting for the right conditions to emerge. When they do, their impact is swift and powerful.

Malcolm Gladwell, though often criticized for being pretentious, has a knack for storytelling. His book, “The Tipping Point,” was a major success, selling 1.7 million copies and earning a spot among the 100 best books of the 21st century. In it, Gladwell explored the origins of tipping points, delving into why they occur, what triggers them, and how society might brace for their arrival.

The challenge with tipping points is that they aren’t easily measured or predicted. They are identified only in hindsight, once the shift has already taken place. Gladwell’s strength lies in recounting past tipping points with engaging narratives and pinpointing shared traits among them. However, storytelling isn’t science. His book doesn’t equip readers with the tools to forecast future tipping points reliably. The theories he presents lack predictive power.

“The Tipping Point” debuted in 2000, which is now over two decades ago. To my knowledge, no one has successfully used Gladwell’s insights to anticipate any future tipping points. They remain elusive and seemingly random, echoing Ernest Hemingway’s description of bankruptcy: “How did you go bankrupt? Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.”

This brings us to a significant political moment: the inauguration of Donald Trump. As this event unfolded, the world began to realize it had been sleepwalking through another tipping point: the rise of the right and the decline of the global liberal left.

My colleague Matt Margolis recently noted that leftist parties received an average of 45% in 73 democratic elections worldwide last year, according to a report from The Telegraph. In the United States and Western Europe, leftist parties fared even worse, securing just 42% of the vote compared to 57% for right-leaning parties. These figures highlight widespread disillusionment with the left’s increasingly radical positions.

The New York Post offered a similar perspective, suggesting that following Harris’ defeat, leftist parties in countries like Canada, Australia, and Germany are likely to face similar setbacks in upcoming elections. Prof. Matthijs Rooduijn, a political scientist from the University of Amsterdam, told the outlet, “The trend is up. There is no real reason to expect that it will stop anytime soon.”

In Canada, polls are showing that Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is favored to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the latter’s sudden resignation. Meanwhile, Australia’s conservative party is also gaining ground against its ruling progressive government ahead of a planned election later this year.

Tipping points, much like revolutions, aren’t typically broadcasted. They represent the rawest expressions of grassroots feelings—hopes, fears, and frustrations. They are organic, not orchestrated. The media often gravitates toward intense stories that evoke strong emotions, but intensity does not necessarily equate to popularity.

The opposition to the MAGA movement, Trump, and the right was intense. Many who opposed Trump in 2020 still do today. He continues to be viewed by some as a dangerous figure. However, while the media focused on the fervor of Trump detractors, they overlooked the concerns of a broader audience.

Many people were struggling. Inflation was soaring, housing costs were unmanageable, the border situation was complex, foreign threats loomed, and the American dream seemed to be fading. This sentiment wasn’t unique to the United States; it resonated across Western Europe, where disillusionment was also rising.

Public relations and political spin have their limits. If the underlying issues remain unaddressed, no amount of positive messaging will suffice. To borrow from Marie Antoinette: if people desire cake, eventually, real cake must be provided, not just the appearance of it.

The global left’s rhetoric painted a rosy picture, praising economic policies and leadership, but the reality felt different. Many felt let down by broken promises and unmet expectations. The disconnect between the message and lived experiences created an environment ripe for a tipping point.

On a chilly January weekend, people worldwide began to recognize the shift. The realization dawned that they were witnessing a significant turning point, one that had been quietly building momentum beneath the surface.

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