It began as a picture. A harmless photo of seashells, randomly arranged on a beach. But in a world that loves madness, it became a call, a scandal, a threat. James Comey, once FBI director, now a crime writer, had posted the image on Instagram. Shells in a formation that looked like the numbers “86 47.” “Cool shell formation on my beach walk,” he wrote. A harmless comment? Or a code? A command? A threat?
-"86" is a slang term for "getting rid of something." -
For the Trump administration, the answer was clear - a call for murder. “86” - a code for “kill,” “get rid of,” “eliminate.” “47” - a reference to Donald Trump, the 47th president of the United States. DHS and the Secret Service are investigating. Intelligence agents are analyzing shell formations while Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary, warns of the looming threat.
Comey defended himself. It was just a beach picture. No message, no threat. He hadn’t seen the numbers as dangerous. “I oppose violence of any kind,” he wrote. But the explanation bounced off. Social media is in an uproar. “A call to terrorists to kill the president,” railed a White House advisor.
Advertising and madness are so close together. What began as book promotion - Comey wanting to promote his new novel “FDR Drive” - turned into a conspiracy narrative. A crime writer who allegedly plans a real murder while marketing his fictional crimes.
And in this world, where algorithms fuel rage and outrage is currency, there is no innocence. Every picture, every sentence, every post - anything can become a weapon. The world is a stage, and madness has taken the floor.
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