“In what kind of hellscape are we living? A dear friend asked me this question in response to all the insane things we are watching unfold in our world. As she asked this question, I was immediately reminded of the ridiculous spectacle of the Blue Origin “Space Flight” that took place on Monday this week (4/14/25). To quote Moira Donegan from The Guardian:

“There are some spectacles of US decadence and decline that almost seem too on the nose – the sort of orgies of vulgar provocation or fantastic lack of self-awareness that exceed the limits of parody, so that if they were in a novel, you’d think the writer was laying it on a little thick.” 

This was that!

As a stand-alone spectacle, the Blue Origin flight is just another in a long line of ridiculous ventures put on by and for the extremely wealthy – this time in an effort to display “female empowerment.” PLEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAASSSSSSEEEEE.  If we wanted to demonstrate female empowerment, we would laud the efforts of every single woman who has ever been part of the space program, including and not limited to actual female astronauts! I don’t know about you but neither Katy Perry nor Gayle King in a designer unitard inspires feminine pride in me. Instead, it simply fuels my disgust for women who have and continue to be complicit in a patriarchal system that seeks only to keep them beautiful, but silent and useless, like a trophy. GROSS. Additionally, it fuels my disgust with complicit men who further this kind of false celebration of women which in reality is a kind of degradation. Disgusting!

Trophies aside, the Blue Origin flight does serve as the perfect example and metaphor for an issue that has been plaguing me for years.  This is the issue of charlatans and chicanery. 

Let’s start with a couple definitions:

Charlatan: a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill; a fraud.

Chicanery: clever, dishonest talk or behavior that is used to deceive people:

Charlatans and tricksters have been with us always. Lately, however, it seems they are coming out of the woodwork. From self-appointed gurus, to “reality” stars, to so-called healers, to “miracle” cures and their salespeople, to Oprah-appointed “experts,” and all the way to the White House (cue Hail to the Chief). Just this week, the so-called U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services spouted a barrage of dangerous misinformation regarding autism. As an attorney, he has none of the training or knowledge to speak on this topic in any sort of legitimate way – and yet, here he is – acting like an expert and proclaiming himself as being the one who is going to save the world from autism. For the record: autism is NOT a disease and it is NOT something from which we need saving!

I don’t know what it is about American culture that makes us so vulnerable to charlatans and their chicanery. Are we unintelligent? Do we have no discernment? Are we so dissatisfied with our lives that we’ll accept anything that makes us feel (temporarily) better– no matter how untrue or dangerous it might be? It’s a conundrum.

As self-righteous as I want to be around the topic of charlatans, I have not been immune. I too have fallen into the trap of giving away my power to outside perceived authorities, so-called healers, and psychics (for example) because I felt vulnerable or was looking for answers to desperate questions. I have also fallen into their trap because I was lured by their appearance of success. If the object is shiny and pretty, it must be good….right?

As the adage goes, “appearances can be deceiving.”  This is especially true of charlatans. They know how to make themselves look good.  They know what words to use to make them appear an expert. They know exactly how to cloak reality (lack of credentials, education, etc.) and twist the truth to make themselves appear better than they are.  I know of several, for example, who present themselves as healers, even calling themselves “doctor” while having ZERO medical training. It’s like the woman I confronted a few years back who was calling herself a “Spiritual Director.”  Having completed the three-year training program required to practice as a “Spiritual Director,” I was confused as I was certain she had not completed any training of this nature. When I inquired about where she did her training she replied, “the angels taught me.” Um……NO!  To quote Monty Python:

“Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.”

Farcical ceremonies notwithstanding, charlatans exist in our world, and they are here not to help, but to harm. Even those, like the Blue Origin passengers, who might believe their motivations are good, are ultimately doing harm by believing their own lie in playing a role for which they have not been adequately trained.  One is not an astronaut simply because they flew in a rocket. Neither is one a “doctor” simply because they call themselves one. “Gurus” are not self-appointed, and enlightenment doesn’t cost a dime!

Do your due diligence. When looking for a teacher, a guide, a healer, or someone to lead a nation, seek out those with true learning, proper certification, and the education and experience to back up their claims. A shiny (or loud) object does not an expert make!

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