How do bad actors get away with it?

Bad actors.

No, I’m not talking about Steven Seagal or Gwyneth Paltrow - I'm talking about the individuals, organisations or governments doing harmful, dishonest or downright appalling things, and most importantly, how they get away with it.

You see, there’s another person in this story who I find particularly difficult to stomach. I’m talking about the enablers. The sycophants. The excuse-makers. The ones who collect their cheque and develop a sudden, highly profitable problem with their eyesight. The people who see the harm, have the power to challenge it, and decide the money is nicer.

Last week, I mentioned that hurt people, hurt people, and how pain can get passed down through families, relationships and workplaces like an heirloom.

But the supporting cast... those who turn the other cheek, are perfectly capable of recognising right and wrong. Their moral compass works beautifully, but they’ve just popped it in a drawer until the invoice clears.

Because terrible behaviour can only survive with this supporting cast. Someone to arrange the meetings. Explain away the complaints. Reassure the board. Tell the person being mistreated that they’re being ‘a little over-sensitive’.

The complaint becomes the problem. The journalist who questions the facts becomes the issue. The whistleblower is being ‘difficult’, whilst the bully becomes ‘a strong personality’. Sound familiar?

Obviously, speaking up can carry a real cost. People can be frightened, trapped or threatened. Which brings me back to our crossroads with AI.

Because the choices around this technology matter right now more than ever. What we ask it to do. What we reward. Which warnings we act upon. Who gets to say, “Hang on a minute”, and whether anyone listens when they do.

When have we laughed along with something cruel because the person saying it was useful to us? Stayed quiet when someone was treated badly because challenging it made us feel uncomfortable?

Last week’s two words still stand: Be kind. But kindness can require an awkward conversation. A refusal. Standing beside the person everyone else would prefer to ignore.

So perhaps this week we need to add two more... Be brave.

America. Be brave. Stand up to the bullies and the enablers. It’s going to be scary, but hey, it’s nearly Halloween after all...