A Trivial Reason to be Depressed about the Election

A few minutes ago, as I was browsing the web over lunch, I decided to check out the website for George R.R. Martin, the author of the most entertaining series of fantasy novels currently being written. Martin's next book in the series has taken a while to write, and he began his note on the book's progress by telling readers that he'd finished reworking some of the chapters he'd already begun. Then he got to the depressing part:

That's done, anyway. A FEAST FOR CROWS will be much better for it, and now I am back at work on new chapters once again... although not today, and maybe not tomorrow, or next week. I am pretty good with words, usually, but no words can express how miserable, angry, and depressed I am feeling this morning over the results of yesterday's election. The exit polling makes it clear: this was a victory for bigotry and fear, a mandate bought with lies. I know from past experience that it is going to take me some time to shake off this depression.

Losing myself in the world of Westeros would probably be the best medicine for what ails me just now, I know full well. There is solace in work, and books -- my own books, and those of others -- have always been a refuge for me during dark times in my life. Today, however, the {fictional} travails of my {fictional} Seven Kingdoms seem pretty unimportant compared to the very real woes that the United States is facing, a future of war and isolation abroad, and division and repression at home.

Winter is coming to Westeros, but it has already come to America.

I feel a little geeky quoting this passage, especially the last line. (Martin's novel takes place in a world with periodic multi-year winters.) Even so, learning that one of your favorite pop culture offerings has been set back by the election just adds insult to a far more grievous injury.

Posted by Ed at November 5, 2004 12:13 PM