"End of the World"
Trackdown episode that predicted our future
Every time we are about to vote in the presidential election where Trump is a candidate (third time now, hopefully a charm to get him out of politics), I remember the "End of the World" episode of Trackdown that is eerily similar to our today's reality.
Trackdown was a TV series that aired on CBS in 1957-59, starring Robert Culp as Texas ranger Hoby Gilman. It was set in the 1870s after the American Civil War, with Gilman going to different Texas towns in pursuit of various wanted fugitives. Episodes touched on multiple Western themes and topics, and aimed at intelligent history-savvy audiences.
Season 1, Ep.30 that aired on May 9, 1958 was titled "End of the World" and had Hoby expose a wagon-riding con artist peddling solutions to the meteorite shower that was supposed to burn the town to the ground at midnight on the day the con artist showed up in the said town. The conman was fittingly called Trump (How did they know?). He was trying to convince the town residents that they needed to buy his "solution" to protect themselves and their families.
There are so many parallels between that episode and the present-time Trump that I can't resist listing at least several of them. Even through the late 1950s TV aesthetic, the writing comes through as brilliant, and I wish more people watched this to see that all con artists are using the same tried and true old techniques that have been used for centuries. For contrast, since both Trumps are the characters that are created by TV, I will refer to the Trackdown Trump as "1950s Trump" and to DJT as "today's Trump."
1. Provide a ridiculously easy solution to the problem that you created in your marks' heads. Make them think that you are the only one who can fix the problem.
1950s' Trump: I alone can save you from the meteor shower with these parasols (simple umbrellas) that have magic markings on them.
Today's Trump: I alone can make your life better and make America great again with TARIFFS. I also have concepts of the tremendously beautiful Health Care plan that will replace Obama Care, as well as I will cut your taxes, deport all illegals, take the country out of all international agreements (America First!), stop all wars and make NATO pay for the military expenses.
2. Use some impressive trick to demonstrate you can deliver the promised magic.
1950s' Trump: set a barrel on fire remotely by using phosphorous at the moment when there's a shooting star. People are shocked and awed.
Today's Trump: in your first presidential term, give everyone tax breaks that will put the country into a huge debt hole, and later remind everyone how much better their lives were "four years ago." Make sure that the middle-class tax breaks expire but your billionaire buddies will continue getting rich. They will back you up in your next election bid as well.
3. Promise people what they crave the most - security.
1950s' Trump: I will protect you and your families from the meteors killing you. I can build the wall around this town to protect it.
Today's Trump: I will build the wall to stop immigration and Mexico will pay for it.
The wall seems to be a consistent theme when con artists promise you security.
4. Attack everyone who doubts you or points out that what you offer is insane. Turn your supporters against them.
1950's Trump: "Your ranger here doubts my abilities. I was going to give you the parasols for free, but since one of you is against me, the price is now $50 and every time he opens his mouth it will increase." When the price gets to $75, the townsfolk kick out the ranger.
Today's Trump: Anyone who is against me is an "enemy from within." When I become president again, they all will pay dearly for what they'd done to me.
5. When confronted and caught in wrongdoing, try to coopt or buy out the accuser. Remove threats preemptively when you can.
1950's Trump: bribes the town's sheriff by promising him a cut from the sale of parasols. When the ranger exposes him, offers the ranger a third and then a half of the money he got from the town residents. When the ranger proves uncorruptible, tries to flee the town.
Today's Trump: appoint 3 SCOTUS justices and rely on their rulings for you; promise Judge Cannon the Attorney's General position for handling your Florida federal cases, threaten to imprison Special Counsel Jack Smith. There's no shortage of examples of Trump's retaliation against his perceived "enemies" and reward of his lackeys, including pardons for January 6 rioters and everyone who was punished for the election fraud, including the stripped-down Rudy Giuliani.
This article is already 800 words, and I haven't gone through all the parallels I noticed while watching the "End of the World." I highly recommend that you watch it (the link to the full 23-min episode is embedded in the cover pic for this story) and comment on what else you noticed. It really is remarkable for its time.
About the Creator
Lana V Lynx
Avid reader and occasional writer of satire and short fiction. For my own sanity and security, I write under a pen name. My books: Moscow Calling - 2017 and President & Psychiatrist
@lanalynx.bsky.social
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Ditched - Index
This index is just for my subscribers. I finished and published this long story or short novella of 6,000 words recently. I tried to link all previous parts of the story in the next one, so if you went along you shouldn't have been lost. This index is just put everything in one place.
By Lana V LynxExclusive • 3 months ago
Berlin in the Dark: How Climate Activists Left Thousands Without Power
Imagine waking up in the middle of winter in Berlin — the streets are quiet, the heaters are off, your lights don’t work, and your internet is down. That was the reality for tens of thousands of Berliners in early January 2026, after a deliberate attack on the city’s electrical infrastructure. What was meant to be a provocative protest turned into one of Berlin’s longest blackouts in decades, leaving residents and businesses struggling in the cold and prompting a nationwide discussion on climate activism, public safety, and the vulnerability of modern cities. The Day Berlin Went Dark It all started on January 3, 2026, when a fire broke out on a bridge carrying high-voltage cables over the Teltow Canal in southwest Berlin. The blaze severely damaged power lines connected to the Lichterfelde power plant, instantly cutting electricity to large parts of the city. Around 45,000 households and over 2,200 businesses were affected, leaving roughly 100,000 residents without power across neighborhoods like Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee, and Lichterfelde. Schools, hospitals, care homes, and small businesses all faced significant disruption — and with temperatures below -10°C (14°F), the cold nights became a real hazard. Residents described gathering around candles or battery lamps just to stay warm, and one Berliner recalled that a room in her apartment registered only 4°C (39°F) during the blackout — a chilling reminder of how dependent modern life is on electricity. Who Was Behind the Attack? Almost immediately, suspicion fell on political sabotage. Investigators quickly traced the attack to a far-left extremist group known as Vulkangruppe, or the Volcano Group. The group later released a statement claiming responsibility, framing the arson as a protest against fossil fuel reliance and industrial systems harming the planet. In their own words, the group insisted that the blackout wasn’t their goal — it was meant as a symbolic strike against fossil fuel infrastructure. But for authorities and the public, the human cost was undeniable, and federal prosecutors opened a full investigation into charges ranging from arson to terrorism. Life Without Power A blackout in a modern city is more than just an inconvenience — it’s a test of resilience. Berliners faced immediate challenges: No heating in freezing temperatures, forcing residents to find alternative ways to stay warm. Transport disruptions, with overground trains halted in affected areas. Communication issues, as mobile networks and internet services were compromised. Hospitals relying on backup generators to keep critical systems running. Businesses losing perishable goods, and many operations coming to a standstill. For days, the city experienced a glimpse of life without electricity — a reminder that modern urban infrastructure, while efficient, can be surprisingly fragile when attacked. Restoring the Grid Repairing the damage was no small task. Cold weather and icy conditions slowed progress, and the high-voltage cables required careful handling to prevent further outages or accidents. Gradual restoration began after a few days, but it took until the fourth or fifth day for all affected neighborhoods to get power fully restored. Utility crews and emergency services worked tirelessly, highlighting both the complexity of modern infrastructure and the vulnerability it faces in the hands of politically motivated actors. Political and Social Fallout The blackout sparked outrage across Germany. Berlin’s mayor called it a “terrorist attack with massive consequences”, emphasizing the risk to public safety. National prosecutors noted that Vulkangruppe had a history of infrastructure attacks, raising questions about the effectiveness of preventive measures. The incident also triggered wider debates: How secure is modern infrastructure against ideologically motivated attacks? Where is the line between peaceful protest and criminal activity? How can cities ensure resiliency in increasingly complex and digitized systems? Many experts argue that while activism and environmental advocacy are important, actions that endanger lives or critical services cross a line that society cannot tolerate. Lessons for the Future Berlin’s blackout serves as a warning: in an age where cities are heavily dependent on electricity, even symbolic acts can have unintended, dangerous consequences. Some key takeaways include: Infrastructure Protection: High-voltage lines, bridges, and power plants must be monitored and secured against sabotage. Clear Legal Boundaries: Protest is a right, but illegal acts targeting essential services must face consequences. Emergency Preparedness: Cities need robust plans for extended outages — from backup generators to shelters for vulnerable populations. Public Awareness: Citizens should understand both how to stay safe and the broader social impact of infrastructure attacks. The blackout also highlights the tension between activism and responsibility. While climate concerns are urgent, actions that directly harm civilians risk alienating the public and undermining the very cause activists seek to promote. Berlin Reconnects — But the Debate Continues As power returned to all neighborhoods, Berliners reflected on a city temporarily thrown back a century, forced to navigate darkness, cold, and disruption. The investigation into the perpetrators continues, and debates over climate activism, civil disobedience, and public safety are more heated than ever. For urban planners, policymakers, and citizens alike, the blackout is a cautionary tale: in a world that relies on constant electricity, infrastructure is not just technical — it is social, political, and deeply vulnerable. Berlin’s days in the dark may be over, but the questions it raises about protest, responsibility, and urban resilience are far from resolved.
By Muhammad Hassan6 days ago in The Swamp
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Comments (9)
Can't mess with Texas...oh, wait...Texas is a red state. Lana, I am 70 and I swear I can't remember this show. Robert Culp's accent is far from being "Texan" and made me giggle. Also, I see the similarities of all the legalized weaponry that has been taken against Trump. You have done a great job in writing this story...but you know I still love my Trump...and you, too.
I've been singing this song in my head called "End of the World" for the past couple of days. What a coincidence with your review!! Incredibly written! 💌
Hilarious that they both promise a wall 😂
Oh wow, that's really creepy. It reminds me of Edgar Allan Poe's story, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym, where 4 men are stranded at sea and one loses in a game of chance and is killed and eaten. A creepily similar event occurred 50 years after Poe wrote his story, and remarkably, the name of the man who lost and succumbed to cannibalism was the precise same as the stranded sailor who also met the same fate. The parallels in this old television show and the fact the man's name is 'trump' with what's going on in our word today are just bizarre - crazy!
Whoaaaa, those similarities are so shocking! My mind is blown!
Lana, your story is right on'. I just published a vote blue song https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/exhausted-of-the-insanity-of-today%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Wow! The parallels are staggering. Great history lesson thanks. Politics is a strange business these days. Just to add, I make no comment about either candidate for US President. I am not a voter in this election and have no desire to interfere with the democratic process.
a catchy title, and the universe will vanish
I used to like Trump until he became President.