The Shiny Object and the Shadow Behind It

"Authoritarianism thrives in the space between distraction and despair. We close that space with truth, connection, and the courage to act." - Mary Coughlin

Authoritarianism rarely announces itself with a marching band.
It seeps in through distraction, confusion, and the careful manipulation of our attention.

In the current regime, every outrage, every headline, every “can you believe he said that?” moment is part of a larger choreography—designed to keep us reactive, exhausted, and divided. This is not chaos by accident. It is strategy by design.

The Strategy Behind the ‘Evil’

When we strip away the personalities and theatrics, the pattern becomes unmistakable:

1. Create a Crisis – Real or fabricated, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that it hijacks the public’s nervous system and pulls oxygen away from deeper, more dangerous moves happening out of sight.

2. Flood the Zone – Multiple controversies erupt at once, overwhelming fact-checkers, journalists, and ordinary citizens trying to keep up.

3. Erode Trust in Truth – Attack the credibility of the press, the courts, educators—anyone who can offer a counter-narrative.

4. Offer a ‘Solution’ – This is the Trojan Horse: a policy, a leader, or a “return to normalcy” that seems like a relief after the storm, but cements power in dangerous ways.

This is why authoritarian movements can survive—even thrive—after their figurehead falls. The agenda is bigger than one person, and the machine will swap leaders if it serves the endgame.

The Shiny Object Trap

In an age of clickbait outrage and algorithm-driven feeds, the “shiny object” is a political weapon.

• A scandal draws our attention.

• A personality dominates the discourse.

• A “new hope” figure is floated—someone more polished, less abrasive, more “reasonable.”

And while we’re debating personalities, the machinery of dismantling democratic norms continues uninterrupted. This is the bait-and-switch of modern authoritarianism: distract with the loudest spectacle while advancing the quietest coup.

Why This Is Especially Dangerous Now

The United States is facing a crisis of civic illiteracy.

• Many adults cannot name the three branches of government or explain how a bill becomes law.

• Few have studied the history of authoritarian movements, at home or abroad.

• Media literacy is low, leaving millions vulnerable to misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda disguised as news.

This is the same vulnerability we see in any trauma context: when people are overwhelmed, under-informed, or denied access to trustworthy information, they are easier to control and less able to make empowered choices. The same principles I teach in trauma-informed developmental care—safety, trust, voice, empowerment—are the same principles needed for a healthy democracy. Remove them, and you get a population that is dysregulated, divided, and easily manipulated.

Free Resource: Know the Playbook

Authoritarian tactics follow a pattern—and knowing it makes you harder to manipulate.
Download Know the Playbook: Authoritarian Tactics at a Glance

The Antidote: Anchor in Values, Not Personalities

We cannot afford to be dazzled—or distracted—by the next shiny object.
Our allegiance must be to principles, not to political saviors. Ask of every leader, every policy:

• Does this expand or restrict human dignity?

• Does this strengthen or erode democratic norms?

• Does this foster belonging, justice, and care—or division, fear, and control?

When we stay rooted in values, the bait loses its power.

Free Resource: Know Your Values Worksheet

Values are the compass that keeps us from drifting toward fear or false promises.
Download Know Your Values: A Reflection Worksheet

Learn the Framework: Understanding the Constitution, the Bill of Rights & the Levers of Power

If you want to be harder to manipulate, start here. Civic literacy is the antidote to political gaslighting.

Foundational Learning:

• National Archives: Charters of Freedom – Original text & explanations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

• Constitution Annotated (Library of Congress) – Clause-by-clause explanations with historical and legal context.

• National Constitution Center – Interactive Constitution showing multiple scholarly perspectives.

Civic Literacy & Engagement:

• iCivics – Free games & lessons on how government works.

• Brennan Center for Justice – Research on voting rights & democratic safeguards.

• League of Women Voters – Guides on voter rights & contacting representatives.

Interactive Tools:

• Constitute Project – Search & compare constitutional language.

• Congress.gov – Track legislation in real time.

• iCivics “Branches of Power” Game – Lets you simulate running all three branches of government to see how laws are created, enforced, and interpreted

The Call to the Public

We are in a moment that demands both courage and clarity. That means:

• Learn the playbook – Study how authoritarian regimes operate, including leader swaps and manufactured crises.

• Invest in civic literacy – Understand the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the levers of power in your local and federal government.

• Name the tactics – When you see the distraction game being played, call it out in plain language.

• Stay in community – Isolation breeds despair. Connection breeds resistance.

Because the truth is this: Authoritarianism does not just happen. It is made—brick by brick, law by law, distraction by distraction.
And it is undone the same way: truth by truth, connection by connection, act by act.

This is the work I live every day—whether in the NICU, where the health of a baby depends on a system that safeguards their dignity, or in our communities, where the health of democracy depends on systems that safeguard ours. The principles are the same. The stakes are just as high. And the time to act is now.

Hugs and hope,

Mary

P.S. Share this with someone who’s chasing the “shiny object” today. Then send them these free tools:

Know the PlaybookKnow Your Values Worksheet