Posted on 10/21/2018 2:27:09 AM PDT by Rocky
1) we have no clear way back, no sufficiently defined penance, for those subjected to public shunning
2) social media fuels mimetic power, the increasing competition for outrage
3) the outrage allows "tribal identification" - We know who we are by the upsets we share. Because the good are objecting to the poem, the poem must be bad.
4) "the window for eccentricity is closing" - I take that to mean that we are all being forced to choose sides, and to categorize everyone else's ideas into one or the other of the predefined camps. There is no opportunity for outside-the-box thinking.
5) Those who "pile on" in social media gain both confirmation of tribal identity and increased rank within their tribe. They are asking us to confirm them in our sociopolitical tribe and elevate them within the tribe for their demonstration of right feeling.
The anger and rage that we see on various internet sites and in social media is spilling over into violence on the streets. It's no longer just a battle of words. I fear that if we don't fix this problem, we are headed for increasing violence on both sides, with a lot of damage to our country.
Yes, I’m guilty of it, too.
We can’t fix everyone else, but we can try to be better ourselves.
The one point I don’t agree with: We have no clear way back.
There is a way back. As the shunning gets worse and worse, more and more people fall into the deplorables camp. Eventually, there won’t be anyone left on the left: they will all be excommunicated.
The cure is critical thinking.Basing judgment on facts rather than what your preferred group is saying. Don’t become a NPC, a non player character . Plenty of real dissent and debate here on Free Republic. Not much on the other side .
Agreed. The way back is to return to an age of reason. Classical philosophy, logic, truth and beauty, belief in God, family, and country, these are foundational to wholesome and healthy living.
Deplorables united is saving our country.
While everyone may eventually be shunned for one thing or another, it may take a long time for all of them to see that they have this in common with others. Some very bad things may happen in our country before people come to this realization.
However, when the author says there is no way back, I think the he is talking about the individual person who gets shunned, not a group of outsiders who have this in common. There is no forgiveness in the world of political correctness. There is no acceptable atonement, no matter how much the person grovels.
These Catholic college students don’t seem like snowflakes:
Catholics React to Trump Winning the Presidency
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3PEyOvaIgk
While there is a lot of debate and critical thinking on this forum, there are also a lot of replies that just spout venom at the opposing side. And there are a lot of nasty reactions to people who step even a little outside of the accepted thinking.
It is possible to feel “shunned” on Free Republic. It’s happened to me, but it doesn’t drive me away. I’m not a millennial; I don’t believe that we are guaranteed any safe spaces. Still, it would be nice if people could voice their disagreements without hate, anger, or disrespect.
A long read and too intellectual for me to understand........
Yes, thankfully not all millennials are snowflakes.
That video cheers me up.
The main takeaway is that we need to apply critical thinking instead of just choosing sides.
It’s harder work than just choosing sides and piling on. But it is better for us and for society.
I stopped giving to pan handlers a long time ago. I know too many people (including relatives) who milk the system and pan handlers who have two or three cars, cell phones and live in nice places.
Now pan handling has moved into stores where they ask if you would like to donate to this or that cause. It makes you feel creepy but I tell them no.
Quite correct. I've been observing this for some time (ever since Bush v. Gore in 2000).
We are in for some hard times.
It never makes me feel creepy to politely say no thank you. I never see a donation cup for the poor white boy fund.
“A long read and too intellectual for me to understand...”
Your malicious slight to Millennials is apparent in your biased use of “long read!” Also notice the disparaging use of the elitist term “intellectual”—a triggering phrase stemming from your white privilege in the racist patriarchal educational system. Finally, your insinuation of intellectual superiority through the use of the loaded term “understand,” proves your ableism with regard to those who are not so mentally able.
Continued promoting of such alt-right, ageist, racist, ableist content will result in a permanent ban from all acceptable social media platforms such as google, Twitter and Facebook.
Orange man bad.
NPC 7686U
I understand. But the article is about how people reacted to the poem. Political incorrectness and appropriation of minority or oppressed people - these are today’s unforgivable sins.
The faux rage is intended to establish the reviewer’s bona fides as a member of the “good guys,” and to increase the reviewer’s standing among the “good guys.”
Yes, it has been building for some time. Good observation.
I hope there is still time to turn it around.
“I never see a donation cup for the poor white boy fund.”
Good point. When we’re hit up for that stuff we just say that all of our charitable giving is through our local church. Which is true, except for the no-kill cat shelter and some political groups. They never question the “church” thing.
language that has given offense and caused harm to members of several communities.” If
can’t take language you can’t take freedom.
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