excellent analysis. how are you feeling about the prospects of political organizing, in light of all this? i've just about given up on politics: with no money, no time, and two kids to take care of, trying to suss out potential allies feels almost impossible. i guess i should probably just read your book :)
I think it will take a little time for the identitarianism and the obsessively-online sorts to finally burn out. At that point, a lot of people will have completely given up on the left, but as I mentioned to a friend today, I see role as holding out an outpost for those who still hope something is possible.
It's interesting how much those decrying others as fascist use fascist tactics like the suppression of any opposing ideas and cancellation of people with differing views. It kinda reminds me of when people who often lie are constantly accusing others of doing so.
Right now, I just want to say I finally got your book from my local bookstore - I had ordered it!
I am really enjoying reading it. Ursula Le Guin happens to be one of my favourite science fiction writers - as well as one of my female heroes. I often wonder what she would have made of the last 3 years!
Thanks for your book and your posts, they reconcile me with life, give me hope!!
I was living in Germany during the first lockdown. I cycled out to weekly meditative protests in a nearby small town, where a few people spoke but mostly silence was held. A friend (my Nonviolent Communication trainer...) expressed shock on hearing that I and others she knew had attended, because she had heard that some AfD supporters were there too. There is an understandable fear of the far right in Germany, but also a strong phobia about its potential to taint, capture and convert innocents, which appears to override any faith in leftist friends seeing something important that others may be missing. Many people I knew expressed the frustration at being "shoved into the right corner", as they say there.
Half way through your book now, Rhyd, and it's really helping me get my head around what's going on in the western world.
I am not so sure those people were ever left in the first place. I think they're just power chasers and if goose stepping and little lightning bolt lapel pens were in political fashion at the moment they'd be screeching brown-red instead of red-brown. They're looking for social capital, and have no particular beliefs or philosophy. Thirty years ago they'd be righteously burning D&D books and Marilyn Manson CDs.
I'm not left and never have been, but I appreciate an honest and thoughtful leftist counterpoint. Never thought self-professed internet "anti-fascist activists" had much of anything interesting or honest to say. Wasn't surprised when they did a superficial one eighty on you guys when it was no longer politically fashionable to be pro civil liberty, anti-corporate, and anti-war (the things I agree with you most about). Seems like they always had that sort of viciousness in them.
excellent analysis. how are you feeling about the prospects of political organizing, in light of all this? i've just about given up on politics: with no money, no time, and two kids to take care of, trying to suss out potential allies feels almost impossible. i guess i should probably just read your book :)
I think it will take a little time for the identitarianism and the obsessively-online sorts to finally burn out. At that point, a lot of people will have completely given up on the left, but as I mentioned to a friend today, I see role as holding out an outpost for those who still hope something is possible.
It's interesting how much those decrying others as fascist use fascist tactics like the suppression of any opposing ideas and cancellation of people with differing views. It kinda reminds me of when people who often lie are constantly accusing others of doing so.
Right now, I just want to say I finally got your book from my local bookstore - I had ordered it!
I am really enjoying reading it. Ursula Le Guin happens to be one of my favourite science fiction writers - as well as one of my female heroes. I often wonder what she would have made of the last 3 years!
Thanks for your book and your posts, they reconcile me with life, give me hope!!
I was living in Germany during the first lockdown. I cycled out to weekly meditative protests in a nearby small town, where a few people spoke but mostly silence was held. A friend (my Nonviolent Communication trainer...) expressed shock on hearing that I and others she knew had attended, because she had heard that some AfD supporters were there too. There is an understandable fear of the far right in Germany, but also a strong phobia about its potential to taint, capture and convert innocents, which appears to override any faith in leftist friends seeing something important that others may be missing. Many people I knew expressed the frustration at being "shoved into the right corner", as they say there.
Half way through your book now, Rhyd, and it's really helping me get my head around what's going on in the western world.
I always feel like I am getting a first class education on capitalism and the malign forces that surround it. Thanks for writing and posting.
And.. just purchased Kindle version of book. Looking forward to reading.
I am not so sure those people were ever left in the first place. I think they're just power chasers and if goose stepping and little lightning bolt lapel pens were in political fashion at the moment they'd be screeching brown-red instead of red-brown. They're looking for social capital, and have no particular beliefs or philosophy. Thirty years ago they'd be righteously burning D&D books and Marilyn Manson CDs.
I'm not left and never have been, but I appreciate an honest and thoughtful leftist counterpoint. Never thought self-professed internet "anti-fascist activists" had much of anything interesting or honest to say. Wasn't surprised when they did a superficial one eighty on you guys when it was no longer politically fashionable to be pro civil liberty, anti-corporate, and anti-war (the things I agree with you most about). Seems like they always had that sort of viciousness in them.