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LESSON 1: Do Not Obey In Advance

Timothy Snyder · lecture · Watch on YouTube

US politics & electionsPolitics & history (other)World history

What it is

The first lesson from Timothy Snyder's short video series accompanying On Tyranny, arguing that most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given when people comply in advance. It runs about eight minutes.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Linked in political threads as a short, accessible companion to Snyder's book and as a reminder not to obey in advance.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2023, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “he also narrated it in video form”

    Snyder narrates On Tyranny in video form.

    hayst4ck, 2023-04 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: Tech work that strengthens liberal democracy”

  2. “I also recommend the short Youtube series Snyder recorded before the release of the graphic edition”

    Short video series by Snyder accompanying the graphic edition of On Tyranny.

    neo4llm, 2025-03 · Recommendation · in “On Tyranny [book]”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: timothy snyder, on tyranny, authoritarianism, democracy, civic duty

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