Zoe Williams argues that fascism's gradual arrival induces a sense of paralysis (The new world order is exactly what it looks like. Are we too frozen with fear to name it?,
17 February). Her words immediately brought to mind the "smoky room experiment".
In this study, when a person is alone in a room that begins to fill with smoke, three-quarters raise the alarm within minutes.
Yet, when surrounded by others who remain passive, only 10% take action. This is the "bystander effect", identified by Latané and Darley in the 1970s, which reveals how a silent, unresponsive crowd can stifle our instincts - even when our own lives are at stake.
I often reference this experiment when discussing climate change, urging people to voice their fears to friends and colleagues.
The same principle applies when fascism begins to creep in around us. Trusting your instincts, naming the threat and sharing your fears isn't just cathartic - it's empowering. It might even save your life.
Dr Caroline Vincent
London
• Zoe Williams is so right. I worked as a psychotherapist at the Holocaust Survivors' Centre in Hendon from 1990 to 2000. For 10 years I listened to my clients talking about their experiences of a world that turned from normal to nightmare in a matter of months. They survived Auschwitz and other death camps while their families were murdered by the Nazi death process. This kind of work leaves one with a very clear and specific understanding of fascism and nazism.
When we watched Donald Trump's inauguration, and witnessed Elon Musk parading Hitler-like around the stage before throwing his arm into the air in that familiar salute, I was dumbstruck for a brief moment. I thought, wait a minute, has he just made a Nazi salute? I had to rewatch three times before my brain would allow me to fully recognise it for what it was.
This was the moment I knew the Trump train had lurched into a new order. Zoe Williams is right. We can't stand by and watch, incredulous. We need to say loudly what this is.
Paul Goldreich
Eastbourne, East Sussex
“When fascism begins to creep in around us…. Trusting your instincts, naming the threat and sharing your fears isn't just cathartic - it's empowering. It might even save your life.”
No excuses. No equivocation. We call it what it is. And them what they are.
Very good letters in @theguardian.com
