Yes. Thank you. This is one of the most practical explanations for what is happening in politics in the United States right now. Online communities have accelerated the incel movement, and given hateful people more access to public forums, but in an anonymous way. We have done an abysmal job of confronting this misogyny and violence in the name of technological innovation. The Republicans do not have a platform! They have a cobbled together fringe groups that don’t even agree with each other on issues. Together that makes a very weird stew!
It's beyond weird (but quite correct) to call it an "incel movement." You're also right to highlight how abysmally we've failed to confront it. Probably (at least in part) because it's so farcical that they unite around — and define themselves by, and name themselves after — being "involuntarily celibate."
I think the first thing we did wrong was to adopt their language. I vote that we go back to calling them unfvckables.
As a former high school teacher I did see this show up in the classroom, and the hardest part about it was not having the infrastructure to provide my students with alternative places that could provide the belonging they were seeking and finding within far right online communities. It made me sick that the far right preyed on my students intense need for belonging.
Another excellent piece of writing. I would love to read your take on the right-wing women who are hatefully attacking Kamala Harris, from name-calling to accusations of incompetence and worse. Judge Jeanine Pirro, Laura Ingraham --The truly WEIRD tradwife "movement," all the women who lead and join groups dedicated to curtailing women's rights--how do we understand the motivation (is it chip-on-the-shoulder?) and breakthrough that collective tantrum? Really, I'm interested because it's so bewildering and overwhelming.
I honestly think it’s self hatred. I think these women just don’t value themselves and it’s sad to see. I say this as someone who grew up around conservative women.
Absolutely self hatred manifests in strange ways. This self hatred is often created by belief systems instilled in their upbringing. The problem with echo chambers and communities motivated by hate is they do not allow people to unlearn harmful beliefs in a safe and supportive communities.
Community building would be a strong answer to this weirdness on the right. Unfortunately the left, as much as they pretend otherwise, are mostly just interested in posing as progressive while they build their piles of wealth and property. At this point both the left and right are grasping desperately for wealth and power while ignoring the real issues. And at a time when so many people are in need, this makes both sides weird.
The United States is weird bro. As a whole. And not the good kind, like oh how quirky and interesting, what a breath of fresh air… It is the uncomfortable weird, the type that makes you uneasy and desperate to put distance between yourself and the source of this grotesque distortion of what's natural and healthy.
But the weird is completely understandable when you see what western society values. And so I understand when people don't think it's weird, because they too have misshapen values downloaded unconsciously from their environment.
Like, we say children are important but our schooling is way below the level it could be. Because the foundational value is not building the next generation, it is how to profit and maintain power in the present. And we argue and deify corporations and billionaires who use business to take advantage of others, while not reinvesting into society as more than a publicity stunt or palliative measure. We say they are “smart” to do so, because society's values are TRASH, BOO BOO, GROSS.
But then, when you say this shit makes no sense if society valued human life, now you are “weird” for questioning this shit lol
I always found it richly ironic that the roots of the online right were and still are in hentai image boards. If they got their way it would be harder, not easier, for children to avoid pedophiles, *actual* groomers, and disgusting, deviant pornography (and I'm not talking about queer themes or the like but rather rape, outrageous paraphilias, gore, "lolicon", etc.). The 4chan fascist ethos has always been puritanism and repression for thee and The 120 Days of Sodom for me.
I was young and now am old…brings to mind- these two parties stood for different values goals for our nation- but now?? They switched. Neither side has the answers- we are one nation and it’s time to realize we can’t stand divided. Time to reset term limits - an overhaul of the old politicians and their comfortable positions and get the focus back on this nation and not their pockets and prejudices.
We have a newish right wing government here in Aotearoa New Zealand. They’re like ten year old boys. They plan to raise the speed limit on the roads because they like to drive fast. Never mind that this will lead to deaths and cost money. This is one minor example. Your lot are like ten year olds too, who fantasise about being big and ruling the world. Read: Lacan via Zizek on the Big Other. Also David Graeber ‘On Kings’ where he tries to address why we have kings even though they are a very bad idea. Joshua you are writing more often: is that because the vibe has changed? Are you feeling different?
I thought the whole "when they go low, you go high" was catchy, but it was NEVER practical. the bullies just kept doing their tactics and now finally the democrats are name-calling. Something about calling them weird seems right - not flat out disrespecting them but just raising some question marks about who's on the other side...
and also, when I watched the RNC and their speeches and Kid Rock singing "fight" i definitely thought it was weird.
Yes. Thank you. This is one of the most practical explanations for what is happening in politics in the United States right now. Online communities have accelerated the incel movement, and given hateful people more access to public forums, but in an anonymous way. We have done an abysmal job of confronting this misogyny and violence in the name of technological innovation. The Republicans do not have a platform! They have a cobbled together fringe groups that don’t even agree with each other on issues. Together that makes a very weird stew!
It's beyond weird (but quite correct) to call it an "incel movement." You're also right to highlight how abysmally we've failed to confront it. Probably (at least in part) because it's so farcical that they unite around — and define themselves by, and name themselves after — being "involuntarily celibate."
I think the first thing we did wrong was to adopt their language. I vote that we go back to calling them unfvckables.
As a former high school teacher I did see this show up in the classroom, and the hardest part about it was not having the infrastructure to provide my students with alternative places that could provide the belonging they were seeking and finding within far right online communities. It made me sick that the far right preyed on my students intense need for belonging.
“Weird” is too soft a word for what these a**holes are…sad, joyless sociopaths who want everyone else to feel as empty as they do.
supa dupa weird
Another excellent piece of writing. I would love to read your take on the right-wing women who are hatefully attacking Kamala Harris, from name-calling to accusations of incompetence and worse. Judge Jeanine Pirro, Laura Ingraham --The truly WEIRD tradwife "movement," all the women who lead and join groups dedicated to curtailing women's rights--how do we understand the motivation (is it chip-on-the-shoulder?) and breakthrough that collective tantrum? Really, I'm interested because it's so bewildering and overwhelming.
I honestly think it’s self hatred. I think these women just don’t value themselves and it’s sad to see. I say this as someone who grew up around conservative women.
Absolutely self hatred manifests in strange ways. This self hatred is often created by belief systems instilled in their upbringing. The problem with echo chambers and communities motivated by hate is they do not allow people to unlearn harmful beliefs in a safe and supportive communities.
Vivek is just better Trump didn’t choose him. They’re all a bunch of weirdos.
Community building would be a strong answer to this weirdness on the right. Unfortunately the left, as much as they pretend otherwise, are mostly just interested in posing as progressive while they build their piles of wealth and property. At this point both the left and right are grasping desperately for wealth and power while ignoring the real issues. And at a time when so many people are in need, this makes both sides weird.
The United States is weird bro. As a whole. And not the good kind, like oh how quirky and interesting, what a breath of fresh air… It is the uncomfortable weird, the type that makes you uneasy and desperate to put distance between yourself and the source of this grotesque distortion of what's natural and healthy.
But the weird is completely understandable when you see what western society values. And so I understand when people don't think it's weird, because they too have misshapen values downloaded unconsciously from their environment.
Like, we say children are important but our schooling is way below the level it could be. Because the foundational value is not building the next generation, it is how to profit and maintain power in the present. And we argue and deify corporations and billionaires who use business to take advantage of others, while not reinvesting into society as more than a publicity stunt or palliative measure. We say they are “smart” to do so, because society's values are TRASH, BOO BOO, GROSS.
But then, when you say this shit makes no sense if society valued human life, now you are “weird” for questioning this shit lol
What a tangled web we weave.
I always found it richly ironic that the roots of the online right were and still are in hentai image boards. If they got their way it would be harder, not easier, for children to avoid pedophiles, *actual* groomers, and disgusting, deviant pornography (and I'm not talking about queer themes or the like but rather rape, outrageous paraphilias, gore, "lolicon", etc.). The 4chan fascist ethos has always been puritanism and repression for thee and The 120 Days of Sodom for me.
🎯
I was young and now am old…brings to mind- these two parties stood for different values goals for our nation- but now?? They switched. Neither side has the answers- we are one nation and it’s time to realize we can’t stand divided. Time to reset term limits - an overhaul of the old politicians and their comfortable positions and get the focus back on this nation and not their pockets and prejudices.
We have a newish right wing government here in Aotearoa New Zealand. They’re like ten year old boys. They plan to raise the speed limit on the roads because they like to drive fast. Never mind that this will lead to deaths and cost money. This is one minor example. Your lot are like ten year olds too, who fantasise about being big and ruling the world. Read: Lacan via Zizek on the Big Other. Also David Graeber ‘On Kings’ where he tries to address why we have kings even though they are a very bad idea. Joshua you are writing more often: is that because the vibe has changed? Are you feeling different?
I thought the whole "when they go low, you go high" was catchy, but it was NEVER practical. the bullies just kept doing their tactics and now finally the democrats are name-calling. Something about calling them weird seems right - not flat out disrespecting them but just raising some question marks about who's on the other side...
and also, when I watched the RNC and their speeches and Kid Rock singing "fight" i definitely thought it was weird.
Somehow I don’t think of a bullet as « steadily flying, » though I agree with your basic point.
The Jew Joshua P. Hill should more honesty call this “Our Jewish Long-Term Struggle To Utterly Subjugate Mankind into Abject Slavery”
I agree.
Excellent analysis and commentary.