Spread the good news

#51

The Story

Positivity

Tell me. 

The state-owned railway in Germany, Deutsche Bahn, has to contend with a poor image. Ask the German people what comes to mind when thinking about the company. They'll say "strikes ", "millions in salaries for the railway board members", "delays ", "crowded trains ", and "poor infrastructure".

Are the people wrong?

They aren't. But it is only one side of the coin. 

What is the other side?

I was travelling this weekend with the so-called Deutschlandticket (a public transport ticket for all local public transportation, valid throughout Germany, that costs 49 euros per month). In Saalfeld, Thuringia, I boarded a brand new regional train ("Desiro HC") and asked a train attendant from Deutsche Bahn about it. He told me the new train has more than 700 seats whereas the previous had only 500. That it can now take 70 bicycles onboard instead of 20. TMoreover he said that this regional train can travel at a speed of 190 km/h, and this type of train will therefore also be used on the high-speed route between Erfurt and Nuremberg from June, with even more wagons. So with the inexpensive Deutschlandticket you will commute between the two major cities in just one and a half hours. In addition, the frequency was increased with the timetable change in December. So more trains at shorter intervals. It's wonderful. The region between Thuringia and Bavaria is currently experiencing a public transport boom. Travelling there has never been cheaper, faster and easier.

Why do you tell me this?

I am convinced that if we want to strengthen democracy, we must change our perception. We need more positive stories. Find them. Tell them. Though not to hide the negative sides, not pretending everything is bright. Just bring to light that there are positive aspects. Because we have to do something about the Pied Pipers who want to tell us that everything is going down the drain. That those up there, the politicians, couldn't do it. That the established parties are incompetent. This is said all over the country. And God knows not just from the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland, short AfD. When I ask around, I hear this down-the-drain story almost everywhere. And by no means just at the edges of society but from people I wouldn't have expected. Surveys and science confirm this. That there is an erosion of the credibility of the established parties in relevant parts of society. Many people don't want to vote for the AfD, but they don't think they see an alternative to the so-called alternative. The federal-level ruling coalition parties SPD, The Greens, FDP, and the former long-standing ruling party CDU may play their part in this development. It only partially explains this dangerous change for democracy. The pandemic, inflation, fear of war, and economic weakness are also reasons. Certainly, the development of the digital echo chambers of Facebook, X, Twitter, Telegram, WhatsApp, and TikTok play a significant role. Everyone can be confirmed in their opinion. Corrections are non-existent. And the echo chambers are fueled by many indecent people, some of whom are paid by dictatorships, who have only one goal: to spread democracy-won't-do-it-scenarios. But democracy does the trick. Not always. But often. And every day again. For example, with mobility in the border region of Thuringia and Bavaria. 

How To Save Democracy

You don't have to wear rose-coloured glasses to conclude that many things are going wonderfully in democracy. Let's talk more about them!