In Christopher Rufo’s new book, America’s Cultural Revolution, the conservative writer and professional shit-stirrer argues that a malevolent woke ideology, promoted by misguided Left-wing activists, has taken over America’s core institutions, “effectuating a wholesale moral reversal” under the rule of “diversity, equity, and inclusion”.
“The wider effects on public discourse have been chilling. Many… have started to self-censor… In theory, progressives campaign in the name of diversity and inclusion. In practice, they destroy open debate and suffocate those who hold different views… In theory they say they want to protect their democratic rights. In practice, they destroy all trust in democracy.”
Except this isn’t Rufo. This, in fact, is the extremism expert Julia Ebner, writing in her new book, Going Mainstream: How the extremists are taking over, on how the fringes of the far-Right have taken over the mainstream. I simply substituted “progressives” for “the enemies of progressive liberalism” and “diversity and inclusion” for “free speech”. The alarmism was all her own.
We have reached a curious juncture in the culture war where the most entrenched combatants on either side have come to believe that the most deranged ideas of their enemies have politically and culturally triumphed, conquering the mainstream. Both believe that their sacred way of life is under existential threat from dangerous and deviant ideas that have marched from the margins to the centre. Both believe that some form of counter-revolution is needed to stop the rot. Both, bewitched by the excesses of their adversaries, have succumbed to the very derangement and loss of perspective of which they accuse the other side.
The crucial difference between Ebner and Rufo, however, is that Ebner bills herself as an expert and academic, while Rufo is explicit and unapologetic about being an activist with political aspirations. I won’t comment on Ebner’s credentials as an academic or extremism expert, but she’s certainly not a conventional one. For a start, it is rare for an extremism expert to be the subject of a long and lavish feature in a leading national newspaper. “I infiltrate incel groups posing as a man: my life undercover,” ran the headline of a recent Times magazine piece on Ebner, accompanied by two glossy photographs of her, brandishing her weapon of choice: an Apple laptop.
Clearly, the cloak-and-dagger intrigue of going behind enemy lines is a big part of Ebner’s appeal. Equally clearly, it isn’t something she feels particularly bashful about: “Views based on data + undercover research,” her Twitter bio says. In an earlier book, Going Dark, Ebner put on a blonde wig to disguise herself (she was meeting a far-Right activist in a café in Vienna). This was one of five fake identities she used as part of her research for that book. “There is an adrenaline rush in doing any kind of undercover work,” she told a Guardian journalist in 2020.
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SubscribeThe intellectual incompetence and arrogance of Ebner is truly breath taking. She simply can’t comprehend that a normal human being might not consider a trans person a biological woman.2
There’s no doubt that extremism exists on both the left and right. The big difference is that progressives have captured the institutions, while the radical right have to be smoked out on Reddit.
And how do we know progressives control the institutions? Nothing will happen to Ebner for her research tactics. She will become a hero in fact, celebrated and venerated by academic colleagues and the regime media. Meanwhile, Boghossian was hounded out of his job, and was vilified by colleagues and the regime media.
Another big difference. Ebner directed her research at hapless internet trolls with zero power, while Boghossian directed his research at university researchers with tremendous power.
Also, he and his fellow hoaxsters James Lindsay came Helen Pluckrose have a sense of humor, something the wokies seem to pride themselves in not having.
Another factor is ignorance. Some polling in the US sought to test basic knowledge both of society and of other groups’ real political positions. Unsurprisingly, the most ignorant group was Republican high school dropouts but coming a close second was Democrats with two or more degrees. Many of the best educated progressives appear to live in a self contained bubble with a very poor understanding of the rest of society.
If you have the link…
I think I first saw this in a PEW survey which I can’t find but the same point is made on
http://www.perceptiongap.us
in the section marked “Education doesn’t help”.
Interesting. I don’t know whether to be encouraged by the fact that my own “perception gaps” are lower than those of Americans in general or slightly horrified by the fact that Americans apparently know each other less well than I do.
Interesting. I don’t know whether to be encouraged by the fact that my own “perception gaps” are lower than those of Americans in general or slightly horrified by the fact that Americans apparently know each other less well than I do.
I think I first saw this in a PEW survey which I can’t find but the same point is made on
http://www.perceptiongap.us
in the section marked “Education doesn’t help”.
At the risk of beating a drum already beaten so many times, the word “far” somehow attaches itself only to those on the right, even though those on the left are “far” in ways the right could hardly imagine. Is it correct to describe what the left has become as “labelism?” Put a label on something and it becomes that?
It’s just Repressive Tolerance. Adorno created the F-scale for Authoritarianism that could only be applied to the Right. That F-scale has become doctrine and other thinkers like Marcuse specifically outline how traditional conservatives are to be treated as Pre-Fascists. Clowns today want to act like its some Conspiracy Theory when its in fact a rebuttal to a thoroughly documented Conspiracy Theory known as Critical Theory.
Now I have to read Marcuse.
Oh god for your own sake don’t!
Oh god for your own sake don’t!
Fascism is a left wing phenomenon, and Marxists and Communists should be treated as outright fascists.
I mean, sure, if you want only to refer to people with whom you disagree. But, all of those terms have distinct, non-conflatable meanings
I mean, sure, if you want only to refer to people with whom you disagree. But, all of those terms have distinct, non-conflatable meanings
Now I have to read Marcuse.
Fascism is a left wing phenomenon, and Marxists and Communists should be treated as outright fascists.
There are other liguistic nuances played around The Far, e.g. The Far Right is invariably The Far White. Islamists, and you can’t get further to The Right than that level of fascisim are never referred to as The Far Right!
What you’re calling “labellism” I call “nominative determinism”.
It’s just Repressive Tolerance. Adorno created the F-scale for Authoritarianism that could only be applied to the Right. That F-scale has become doctrine and other thinkers like Marcuse specifically outline how traditional conservatives are to be treated as Pre-Fascists. Clowns today want to act like its some Conspiracy Theory when its in fact a rebuttal to a thoroughly documented Conspiracy Theory known as Critical Theory.
There are other liguistic nuances played around The Far, e.g. The Far Right is invariably The Far White. Islamists, and you can’t get further to The Right than that level of fascisim are never referred to as The Far Right!
What you’re calling “labellism” I call “nominative determinism”.
Is that not an issue for the USA? The USA is massive country: much news is local, barely state level let alone national. Few Americans learn French, German, Latin or Greek. Few Americans have lived lived and worked overseas or even taken holidays overseas.
In the 19th century British Politicians read Latin and Greek and could converse in Fench and German. Most travelled overseas, many served in Armed Forces and some spoke Indian languages.
C Northcote Parkinson, the historian said a 19th century don had a degree in Classics, probably maths as well and spoke three to four European Languages. and divine would have read Hebrew as well .
True but the British system channeled the brightest school children into “two cultures” – classics and science – far too early. Nothing is perfect … but “Parkinson’s Law” is brilliant, very funny and still worth reading
I’m not a don but have a Latin A-level, a degree in Eng. Lit. and a Philosophy PhD, and speak four European languages.
True but the British system channeled the brightest school children into “two cultures” – classics and science – far too early. Nothing is perfect … but “Parkinson’s Law” is brilliant, very funny and still worth reading
I’m not a don but have a Latin A-level, a degree in Eng. Lit. and a Philosophy PhD, and speak four European languages.
If you have the link…
At the risk of beating a drum already beaten so many times, the word “far” somehow attaches itself only to those on the right, even though those on the left are “far” in ways the right could hardly imagine. Is it correct to describe what the left has become as “labelism?” Put a label on something and it becomes that?
Is that not an issue for the USA? The USA is massive country: much news is local, barely state level let alone national. Few Americans learn French, German, Latin or Greek. Few Americans have lived lived and worked overseas or even taken holidays overseas.
In the 19th century British Politicians read Latin and Greek and could converse in Fench and German. Most travelled overseas, many served in Armed Forces and some spoke Indian languages.
C Northcote Parkinson, the historian said a 19th century don had a degree in Classics, probably maths as well and spoke three to four European Languages. and divine would have read Hebrew as well .
Another factor is ignorance. Some polling in the US sought to test basic knowledge both of society and of other groups’ real political positions. Unsurprisingly, the most ignorant group was Republican high school dropouts but coming a close second was Democrats with two or more degrees. Many of the best educated progressives appear to live in a self contained bubble with a very poor understanding of the rest of society.
The central thesis of this piece is that “right” and “left” are mirror images of one another, not in the bullshit sense of horseshoe theory but in their conviction that their enemies have captured the heights of public institutions.And, to some extent they are right, because there is evidence of daft ideas creeping into institutions. But the reason that the mirroring is possible is that each side is blind to their own cultural heft.
.
You’ve just illustrated this point yourself – noting that “nothing will happen to Ebner”. And, assuredly, it won’t. She will continue to pursue her research for a Phd at Oxford. But you neglect the fate of Rufo – appointed to the board of a University, with the explicit backing of the State Governor (and long-shot presidential candidate) Ron DeSantis – for the express purpose of disbanding an entire faculty. Even taking account of the relative cultural heft of Oxford and New College Florida, it would be hard to argue that “the establishment” was doing more to elevate Ebner than Rufo.
Nice try. For every Rufo, there are literally hundreds of Ebner’s. Let’s look at music. The guy singing try that in a small town is shredded by all the very important people. CMT won’t play the song. When was the last time that happened to a rapper? Jordan Peterson will likely lose his license to practice in Canada. Think that happens to a psychologist who says there is no difference between men and women? Do you think there is a balance between extreme right wing views and left wing views in the – bureaucracy, academia, culture, big tech, finance, the legal profession?
You are right. There is no balance between extreme Left and Right wing views. The reality is that the extreme Left wing dominates every sector, including the corporate (and especially education from pre-school to postgraduate), whereas the extreme Right wing is generally marginalised in the nooks and crannies of society. While George Venning makes a valid point that the extreme Left and Right mirror each other, he has not identified the enormous imbalance between the two in our modern era or acknowledged that extreme Left is mainstream in contrast to the peripheries occupied by the extreme Right. Moreover, there is no discernible boundary layer between the extreme Left and the general Left (the whole is an amorphous continuum) in contrast to the much sharper delineation between the extreme Right and the majority of a more moderate Right wing disposition who generally occupy the centre ground.
It depends what you mean by “Left”. If you regard a resistance to racism, misogyny etc as a property of the left alone then sure, the left is everywhere. If, however, you regard a general belief that we should aspire to regard one another as equals as an ideal of all decent people since at least the Enlightenment then the distinctive views of leftists are less dominant.
For example, the characteristically left-wing view that workers should control the means of production is not much in evidence in the capitalistic economy. Nor is the notion that workers should be able to band together to create effective trade unions and participate in collective bargaining ascendant (at least in the US/UK).
Again, the characteristically left-wing view that we should work at least as hard to avoid wars as to win them has been rather eclipsed since the 90’s too…
And there was even a time when a commitment to transparency and free speech was a property of left-wing thought. Although what has happened to that is a subject for a different day.
It depends what you mean by “Left”. If you regard a resistance to racism, misogyny etc as a property of the left alone then sure, the left is everywhere. If, however, you regard a general belief that we should aspire to regard one another as equals as an ideal of all decent people since at least the Enlightenment then the distinctive views of leftists are less dominant.
For example, the characteristically left-wing view that workers should control the means of production is not much in evidence in the capitalistic economy. Nor is the notion that workers should be able to band together to create effective trade unions and participate in collective bargaining ascendant (at least in the US/UK).
Again, the characteristically left-wing view that we should work at least as hard to avoid wars as to win them has been rather eclipsed since the 90’s too…
And there was even a time when a commitment to transparency and free speech was a property of left-wing thought. Although what has happened to that is a subject for a different day.
And yet, Oliver Anthony, is all over the internet, has been streamed approximately one gazillion times and is the biggest breakout music star of the year. His unreleased breakout single having prompted a vigorous on-going argument about the plight of people like him. When was the last time that a hip hop tune caused that kind of a ruckus?
Likewise, Jordan Peterson has scarcely been cancelled. He makes a handsome living as a self-help guru and losing his licence to practice will only enhance his self-projected imageas a martyr to common sense.
You are right. There is no balance between extreme Left and Right wing views. The reality is that the extreme Left wing dominates every sector, including the corporate (and especially education from pre-school to postgraduate), whereas the extreme Right wing is generally marginalised in the nooks and crannies of society. While George Venning makes a valid point that the extreme Left and Right mirror each other, he has not identified the enormous imbalance between the two in our modern era or acknowledged that extreme Left is mainstream in contrast to the peripheries occupied by the extreme Right. Moreover, there is no discernible boundary layer between the extreme Left and the general Left (the whole is an amorphous continuum) in contrast to the much sharper delineation between the extreme Right and the majority of a more moderate Right wing disposition who generally occupy the centre ground.
And yet, Oliver Anthony, is all over the internet, has been streamed approximately one gazillion times and is the biggest breakout music star of the year. His unreleased breakout single having prompted a vigorous on-going argument about the plight of people like him. When was the last time that a hip hop tune caused that kind of a ruckus?
Likewise, Jordan Peterson has scarcely been cancelled. He makes a handsome living as a self-help guru and losing his licence to practice will only enhance his self-projected imageas a martyr to common sense.
Florida is but one state…honestly the two are not comparable.
A single academic at Oxford is indeed non-comparable with the large and populous state of Florida.
A single academic at Oxford is indeed non-comparable with the large and populous state of Florida.
George- Are Rufo and DeSantis open about what they’re doing or are they trying to embed vague concepts into academic research and then complain about the “reactionaries” calling out the obvious infiltration of transgressive nonsense?
What concepts is Rufo promoting that you disagree with? Like where is he wrong? I’m talking about actual concepts that New College will teach. Point out an idea in the New College program that lacks objectivity.
When you’re dealing with a left wing ideology wholly constructed by radical subjectivity and suppressing debate, what is the solution to that? How does one engage with Critical Theory when the whole point of Critical Theory is to suppress the engagement of its opposition?
I don’t give two hoots what concepts Rufo is promoting. That’s what academic freedom means. But I am (slightly) troubled by his desire to close down an entire department. Whatever that is, it is not academic freedom.
I am less troubled by the prospect of Oxford apparently lowering its academic standards to admit a single Phd candidate who may, or may not be bats. You would doubtless say that this is because her entire department is already bats and this shows their bias. And you might be right but my own experience of University suggests (to me at least) that they haven’t run out of fusty old conservatives yet.
As to openness or covertness. I think it’s pretty clear what all of the above are up to.
I don’t give two hoots what concepts Rufo is promoting. That’s what academic freedom means. But I am (slightly) troubled by his desire to close down an entire department. Whatever that is, it is not academic freedom.
I am less troubled by the prospect of Oxford apparently lowering its academic standards to admit a single Phd candidate who may, or may not be bats. You would doubtless say that this is because her entire department is already bats and this shows their bias. And you might be right but my own experience of University suggests (to me at least) that they haven’t run out of fusty old conservatives yet.
As to openness or covertness. I think it’s pretty clear what all of the above are up to.
Nice try. For every Rufo, there are literally hundreds of Ebner’s. Let’s look at music. The guy singing try that in a small town is shredded by all the very important people. CMT won’t play the song. When was the last time that happened to a rapper? Jordan Peterson will likely lose his license to practice in Canada. Think that happens to a psychologist who says there is no difference between men and women? Do you think there is a balance between extreme right wing views and left wing views in the – bureaucracy, academia, culture, big tech, finance, the legal profession?
Florida is but one state…honestly the two are not comparable.
George- Are Rufo and DeSantis open about what they’re doing or are they trying to embed vague concepts into academic research and then complain about the “reactionaries” calling out the obvious infiltration of transgressive nonsense?
What concepts is Rufo promoting that you disagree with? Like where is he wrong? I’m talking about actual concepts that New College will teach. Point out an idea in the New College program that lacks objectivity.
When you’re dealing with a left wing ideology wholly constructed by radical subjectivity and suppressing debate, what is the solution to that? How does one engage with Critical Theory when the whole point of Critical Theory is to suppress the engagement of its opposition?
Society produces far too many intellectuals, with the consequence that far too many intellectuals are forced to adopt ever more hare-brained ideas in order to attract attention to themselves and earn a living. Meanwhile it’s harder and harder to find people with the practical skills that society actually needs. Ebner should re-train as a nurse, physiotherapist or bus driver. She would have a happier and more fulfilling life. So would we.
She’s not even an intellectual.
She’s not even an intellectual.
Also, he and his fellow hoaxsters James Lindsay came Helen Pluckrose have a sense of humor, something the wokies seem to pride themselves in not having.
The central thesis of this piece is that “right” and “left” are mirror images of one another, not in the bullshit sense of horseshoe theory but in their conviction that their enemies have captured the heights of public institutions.And, to some extent they are right, because there is evidence of daft ideas creeping into institutions. But the reason that the mirroring is possible is that each side is blind to their own cultural heft.
.
You’ve just illustrated this point yourself – noting that “nothing will happen to Ebner”. And, assuredly, it won’t. She will continue to pursue her research for a Phd at Oxford. But you neglect the fate of Rufo – appointed to the board of a University, with the explicit backing of the State Governor (and long-shot presidential candidate) Ron DeSantis – for the express purpose of disbanding an entire faculty. Even taking account of the relative cultural heft of Oxford and New College Florida, it would be hard to argue that “the establishment” was doing more to elevate Ebner than Rufo.
Society produces far too many intellectuals, with the consequence that far too many intellectuals are forced to adopt ever more hare-brained ideas in order to attract attention to themselves and earn a living. Meanwhile it’s harder and harder to find people with the practical skills that society actually needs. Ebner should re-train as a nurse, physiotherapist or bus driver. She would have a happier and more fulfilling life. So would we.
The intellectual incompetence and arrogance of Ebner is truly breath taking. She simply can’t comprehend that a normal human being might not consider a trans person a biological woman.2
There’s no doubt that extremism exists on both the left and right. The big difference is that progressives have captured the institutions, while the radical right have to be smoked out on Reddit.
And how do we know progressives control the institutions? Nothing will happen to Ebner for her research tactics. She will become a hero in fact, celebrated and venerated by academic colleagues and the regime media. Meanwhile, Boghossian was hounded out of his job, and was vilified by colleagues and the regime media.
Another big difference. Ebner directed her research at hapless internet trolls with zero power, while Boghossian directed his research at university researchers with tremendous power.
If your objective was to illustrate how both “Left and Right are parodies of each other” then you have left a very great asymmetry in your wake. Apart from the first and last paragraphs, in which you briefly mention Rufo, all of your ire is directed at taking apart the ‘extremism expert’ Ebner. That’s all well and good, but as you inadvertently demonstrate, there is no equivalence between objecting to exposing children to gender confusion, as Rufo does, and going deep into the online viral swamps of the right, as Ebner does.
It is ‘woke’ that is mainstream. The far right, as usual, is reactionary. And so, it seems, is Rufo, in the sense that he wants to build a bulwark against a rising tide of lunacy.
But perhaps you know all of this. Perhaps you feel the balance you pretend to strike will distance you from the crazies on the Right and shield you from the opprobrium of the crazies on the Left. I would vouch for you on the first part but I don’t like your chances with the latter. They do opprobrium really well.
And finally, it is interesting to know that you can get a PhD at Oxford in online radicalization. Just what the world needs.
I think it was more a clumsy book review. Maybe I’m wrong. The Rufo thing seemed a bit forced.
Oxford is going through one of its lean periods. They usually last for decades.
Or longer.
I wouldn’t want my kids to go to Oxford Wokiversity.
Or longer.
I wouldn’t want my kids to go to Oxford Wokiversity.
Is woke mainstream? They may dominate media and academia but only 13% of the population are members of the “progressive activist” tribe according to the More In Common website.
It doesn’t matter much if they are the ones running things does it? Every societal institution is overrun. what are the numbers listening only to NPR and legacy media for their news? Just visited an art museum in Philadelphia; woke was prevalent even through the cafe. They may not identify that way but many really are left, especially the young.
I’m from Philadelphia and I’ve been avoiding going to museums because I will just get sick over this stuff. I was recently in London, only for a day, and was so relieved to see that the Victoria and Albert was so traditional.
I know it sounds like a crazy conspiracy theory but the role of the CIA in promoting modern art like Jackson Pollock is really stunning and explains a lot. They probably are still behind what is going on.
I’m from Philadelphia and I’ve been avoiding going to museums because I will just get sick over this stuff. I was recently in London, only for a day, and was so relieved to see that the Victoria and Albert was so traditional.
I know it sounds like a crazy conspiracy theory but the role of the CIA in promoting modern art like Jackson Pollock is really stunning and explains a lot. They probably are still behind what is going on.
Two points to be made about that: there are always several concentric layers of more or less sympathy surrounding ‘activist’ positions. Their extremism doesn’t come out of nowhere. Second, if someone were to offer me Academedia, as I call it, as part of my cultural war brigade, and they would keep everything else, I would wonder that they had lost their minds. But I would take the wager, of course.
It doesn’t matter much if they are the ones running things does it? Every societal institution is overrun. what are the numbers listening only to NPR and legacy media for their news? Just visited an art museum in Philadelphia; woke was prevalent even through the cafe. They may not identify that way but many really are left, especially the young.
Two points to be made about that: there are always several concentric layers of more or less sympathy surrounding ‘activist’ positions. Their extremism doesn’t come out of nowhere. Second, if someone were to offer me Academedia, as I call it, as part of my cultural war brigade, and they would keep everything else, I would wonder that they had lost their minds. But I would take the wager, of course.
I think it was more a clumsy book review. Maybe I’m wrong. The Rufo thing seemed a bit forced.
Oxford is going through one of its lean periods. They usually last for decades.
Is woke mainstream? They may dominate media and academia but only 13% of the population are members of the “progressive activist” tribe according to the More In Common website.
If your objective was to illustrate how both “Left and Right are parodies of each other” then you have left a very great asymmetry in your wake. Apart from the first and last paragraphs, in which you briefly mention Rufo, all of your ire is directed at taking apart the ‘extremism expert’ Ebner. That’s all well and good, but as you inadvertently demonstrate, there is no equivalence between objecting to exposing children to gender confusion, as Rufo does, and going deep into the online viral swamps of the right, as Ebner does.
It is ‘woke’ that is mainstream. The far right, as usual, is reactionary. And so, it seems, is Rufo, in the sense that he wants to build a bulwark against a rising tide of lunacy.
But perhaps you know all of this. Perhaps you feel the balance you pretend to strike will distance you from the crazies on the Right and shield you from the opprobrium of the crazies on the Left. I would vouch for you on the first part but I don’t like your chances with the latter. They do opprobrium really well.
And finally, it is interesting to know that you can get a PhD at Oxford in online radicalization. Just what the world needs.
I would like Ms Ebner to explain precisely why Jordan Peterson is ‘dangerous’.
They never answer.
I tend to ask similar ones; sometimes a little sarcastically, sometimes pretty straight. I’m fairly sincere, I wonder if I’ve missed something.
If you get an answer, it’s “educate yourself”.
Her answer would be that he thinks. No person with a raised consciousness need do that.
I’ve always wondered whether that should be written as “razed consciousness” instead.
I wonder why you say ‘no person,’ rather than no-one.
I’ve always wondered whether that should be written as “razed consciousness” instead.
I wonder why you say ‘no person,’ rather than no-one.
His words are hurtful!
They never answer.
I tend to ask similar ones; sometimes a little sarcastically, sometimes pretty straight. I’m fairly sincere, I wonder if I’ve missed something.
If you get an answer, it’s “educate yourself”.
Her answer would be that he thinks. No person with a raised consciousness need do that.
His words are hurtful!
I would like Ms Ebner to explain precisely why Jordan Peterson is ‘dangerous’.
I’d like to know, based on the above picture, why this woman has not been canceled for cultural appropriation: she is clearly wearing a Chinese qipao, yet she is also clearly not Chinese. My understanding of modern social mores is that no one is allowed to partake in cultural modes from any culture besides their own, unless said modes are Anglo-American/Western European, in which case it’s not cultural appropriation because the Anglo-American species of the Western European genus doesn’t actually have a culture of its own, just a bunch of stuff that everybody does and can’t be called on the carpet for doing, because come on, I mean, really.
At the same time, it’s somewhat disingenuous to equate moderates who understand that gender is a transcendent quality affixing itself to the ab-soul and not to the body with those vicious extremists who, like some heinous hybrid of a sheep and a lemming, mindlessly and in lock-step promulgate the hateful and simplistic view that men are men and women are women and not vice versa. Science has validated the former, while the latter have mere biology on their side. And I don’t know about you, but if I have to choose between science and biology, I’m going to choose science every time. It’s just good science.
That’s a good question about the qipao. Of course, maybe it’s a sign of hope.
There was an American high-school student not long ago who wore a qipao as a prom dress, was savaged by a social media pile on by white liberals offended by “cultural appropriation”, then defended with equal fervor by Chinese posters. Curiously the modern Chinese qipao is, itself, actually an instance of cultural appropriation, drawing at least as much from Western 1920’s cocktail dresses as from the ancient Chinese qipao, which was actually a rather different-looking garment.
Perhaps those facts — that the Chinese like it when Westerners wear qipao and that the Chinese partially cribbed it from the West — have sunk in with the usually censorious guardians of cultures not their own, and they’ve given up on the objection.
You don’t understand these people. They’re inordinately proud of their pigheadedness.
You don’t understand these people. They’re inordinately proud of their pigheadedness.
It’s more than just good science, it’s The Science.
Always remember to include a trademark sign: The Science™.
It’s actually more scornful than scorn quotes, and works equally well with other things, for instance as Anti-Racism™, when referring to Ibrahim Kendi’s notion.
Also known as Dr Anthony Fauci™.
Also known as Dr Anthony Fauci™.
Always remember to include a trademark sign: The Science™.
It’s actually more scornful than scorn quotes, and works equally well with other things, for instance as Anti-Racism™, when referring to Ibrahim Kendi’s notion.
That’s a good question about the qipao. Of course, maybe it’s a sign of hope.
There was an American high-school student not long ago who wore a qipao as a prom dress, was savaged by a social media pile on by white liberals offended by “cultural appropriation”, then defended with equal fervor by Chinese posters. Curiously the modern Chinese qipao is, itself, actually an instance of cultural appropriation, drawing at least as much from Western 1920’s cocktail dresses as from the ancient Chinese qipao, which was actually a rather different-looking garment.
Perhaps those facts — that the Chinese like it when Westerners wear qipao and that the Chinese partially cribbed it from the West — have sunk in with the usually censorious guardians of cultures not their own, and they’ve given up on the objection.
It’s more than just good science, it’s The Science.
I’d like to know, based on the above picture, why this woman has not been canceled for cultural appropriation: she is clearly wearing a Chinese qipao, yet she is also clearly not Chinese. My understanding of modern social mores is that no one is allowed to partake in cultural modes from any culture besides their own, unless said modes are Anglo-American/Western European, in which case it’s not cultural appropriation because the Anglo-American species of the Western European genus doesn’t actually have a culture of its own, just a bunch of stuff that everybody does and can’t be called on the carpet for doing, because come on, I mean, really.
At the same time, it’s somewhat disingenuous to equate moderates who understand that gender is a transcendent quality affixing itself to the ab-soul and not to the body with those vicious extremists who, like some heinous hybrid of a sheep and a lemming, mindlessly and in lock-step promulgate the hateful and simplistic view that men are men and women are women and not vice versa. Science has validated the former, while the latter have mere biology on their side. And I don’t know about you, but if I have to choose between science and biology, I’m going to choose science every time. It’s just good science.
Whatever his faults, I am grateful to Rufo for drawing the public’s attention to the vileness of Critical Race Theory.
Whatever his faults, I am grateful to Rufo for drawing the public’s attention to the vileness of Critical Race Theory.
What worries me is whether Julia Ebner is in danger of being de-banked at Coutts. I mean, any bank would be scared to death of having its name connected with such a kook. Right?
And I would hate for her to face the trauma of de-banking.
What worries me is whether Julia Ebner is in danger of being de-banked at Coutts. I mean, any bank would be scared to death of having its name connected with such a kook. Right?
And I would hate for her to face the trauma of de-banking.
Another example of inversion. As the fantasy world of misnamed liberal progressives such as Ebner collapses, its terrified adherents go to ever greater extremes to paint innocent folk simply living in the real world as “extremists”.
In particular, the “climate change deniers” that Ebner so reviles aren’t the ones calling for a collectivist political revolution fomented through the deliberate sabotage of our basic life support systems and upending of our socio-cultural norms. That will be the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC). If you don’t believe me, please read what they have to say in Section 9.7 (“Steps for Acceleration”) of Chapter 13 of the third part of their sixth assessment report, which was finalised in April 2022:
“Explicit transformational system changes are necessary, including efforts at directing transformations, such as clear direction setting through the elaboration of shared visions, and coordination across diverse actors across different policy fields, such as climate and industrial policy, and across governance levels” with a “focus on undermining carbon intensive systems, thereby reducing opposition to more generalised acceleration policies”. The underlying logic of this, they say in conclusion, is that “If high carbon systems are weakened then this may reduce the opposition to policies and actions aimed at accelerating climate mitigation, enabling more support for low-carbon systems … new modes of governance may be better suited to this approach in the context of transformative change”.
In case any is not clear what “new modes of governance” (ie government) they have in mind exactly, they also helpfully point out that “Corporatist societies, where economic groups are formally involved in public policy making, have better climate related outcomes (lower CO2 emissions and higher low-carbon investments) than liberal-pluralist countries”, and emphasise the need to move from “a single policy instrument or mix of policies approach to a systemic economy-wide approach” with “coordination of actions and coherent narratives across sectors and cross economy”.
Now if that isn’t extremism, what is? Please, if you can interpret this as anything other than an explicit call for an anti-democratic, collectivist, political revolution, I would be very interested to understand your perspective because maybe I have just missed something.
Read Chapter 13 for yourself here: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-3/
And of course ‘corporatist society’ is just a polite way of saying ‘police state’ (or something worse).
“Corporatist societies, where economic groups are formally involved in public policy making, have better climate related outcomes than liberal-pluralist countries”. What possible evidence is there for this? What societies could they even mean? Some tribes in Papua New Guinea?
Wasn’t the old soviet Union and the Eastern bloc in general notorious for pollution?
Interesting question. To be fair to the IPCC they say that agreement and evidence is only “medium” about this rather bold claim. But your question piqued my interest and I explored the references they cite, on p1371 of the third part of the sixth assessment report, for this claim.
There are three of them.
First, Duncan Liefferink and three fellow co-authors’ 2009 effort, “Leaders and laggards in environmental policy: a quantitative analysis of domestic policy outputs”. This was, apparently “generously funded by the European Union RTD programme ‘Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base’,” but sadly my will to truth doesn’t extend to forking out the 50USD one would now have to part with for the privilege of 48 hours’ access to this gem of wisdom that our endeavours collectively helped to fund so generously back in the day. Anyway, Dunc and his pals say in their abstract that “Statistical analysis identifies EU membership as the most important factor explaining a strong domestic policy output [quelle surprise!] whereas environmental problem pressure, institutional structure (neo-corporatism) and the level of economic development appear to be of secondary importance.” Not that the EU is any way “neo-corporatist”, of course.
https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/leaders-and-laggards-in-environmental-policy-a-quantitative-analy
Second, Detlef Jahn’s 2016 book The Politics of Environmental Performance: Institutions and Preferences in Industrialized Democracies. Again I don’t have the time or inclination to buy and read this probably rather boring book, and if I did I would likely decline Amazon’s kind invitation to be the first to write a review of it on their wonderful platform. However the academic publisher’s summary suggests that Jahn “argues that moving towards a service society does not by itself solve the environmental challenge” and that “economic globalization fosters environmental deterioration, and undermines efforts in domestic politics and international coordination to improve the environmental record”. So, go figure. No mention of any Papua New Guinean tribes, though.
https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/comparative-politics/politics-environmental-performance-institutions-and-preferences-industrialized-democracies
Third, Jared Finnegan’s 2018 paper, “Changing prices in a changing climate: Electoral competitiveness and fossil fuel taxation”. This lovely chap laments that, “For decades economists have been championing the use of carbon taxes as the most efficient policy instrument to address climate change. However, not all governments have been eager to obey such advice.” Such naughty governments not obeying the will of those wise, learned economists who just want what’s best for everyone! The answer to this riddle that Jared offers us? Well, it is that “carbon tax increases are most likely when competitiveness is low and politicians are insulated from voter punishment”. So bye bye democracy, hello rule by misguided, hyper-motivated, unreproachable, activist nerds.
https://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/working-paper-307-Finnegan.pdf
This is, genuinely, how low our institutions have stooped. Maybe the IPCC simply assume no-one will actually look into what they pump out into the public domain with a critical eye, but it will not and it cannot last.
It’s all very, very sad.
Excellent review. Thank you
Excellent review. Thank you
Wasn’t the old soviet Union and the Eastern bloc in general notorious for pollution?
Interesting question. To be fair to the IPCC they say that agreement and evidence is only “medium” about this rather bold claim. But your question piqued my interest and I explored the references they cite, on p1371 of the third part of the sixth assessment report, for this claim.
There are three of them.
First, Duncan Liefferink and three fellow co-authors’ 2009 effort, “Leaders and laggards in environmental policy: a quantitative analysis of domestic policy outputs”. This was, apparently “generously funded by the European Union RTD programme ‘Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base’,” but sadly my will to truth doesn’t extend to forking out the 50USD one would now have to part with for the privilege of 48 hours’ access to this gem of wisdom that our endeavours collectively helped to fund so generously back in the day. Anyway, Dunc and his pals say in their abstract that “Statistical analysis identifies EU membership as the most important factor explaining a strong domestic policy output [quelle surprise!] whereas environmental problem pressure, institutional structure (neo-corporatism) and the level of economic development appear to be of secondary importance.” Not that the EU is any way “neo-corporatist”, of course.
https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/leaders-and-laggards-in-environmental-policy-a-quantitative-analy
Second, Detlef Jahn’s 2016 book The Politics of Environmental Performance: Institutions and Preferences in Industrialized Democracies. Again I don’t have the time or inclination to buy and read this probably rather boring book, and if I did I would likely decline Amazon’s kind invitation to be the first to write a review of it on their wonderful platform. However the academic publisher’s summary suggests that Jahn “argues that moving towards a service society does not by itself solve the environmental challenge” and that “economic globalization fosters environmental deterioration, and undermines efforts in domestic politics and international coordination to improve the environmental record”. So, go figure. No mention of any Papua New Guinean tribes, though.
https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/politics-international-relations/comparative-politics/politics-environmental-performance-institutions-and-preferences-industrialized-democracies
Third, Jared Finnegan’s 2018 paper, “Changing prices in a changing climate: Electoral competitiveness and fossil fuel taxation”. This lovely chap laments that, “For decades economists have been championing the use of carbon taxes as the most efficient policy instrument to address climate change. However, not all governments have been eager to obey such advice.” Such naughty governments not obeying the will of those wise, learned economists who just want what’s best for everyone! The answer to this riddle that Jared offers us? Well, it is that “carbon tax increases are most likely when competitiveness is low and politicians are insulated from voter punishment”. So bye bye democracy, hello rule by misguided, hyper-motivated, unreproachable, activist nerds.
https://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/working-paper-307-Finnegan.pdf
This is, genuinely, how low our institutions have stooped. Maybe the IPCC simply assume no-one will actually look into what they pump out into the public domain with a critical eye, but it will not and it cannot last.
It’s all very, very sad.
And of course ‘corporatist society’ is just a polite way of saying ‘police state’ (or something worse).
“Corporatist societies, where economic groups are formally involved in public policy making, have better climate related outcomes than liberal-pluralist countries”. What possible evidence is there for this? What societies could they even mean? Some tribes in Papua New Guinea?
Another example of inversion. As the fantasy world of misnamed liberal progressives such as Ebner collapses, its terrified adherents go to ever greater extremes to paint innocent folk simply living in the real world as “extremists”.
In particular, the “climate change deniers” that Ebner so reviles aren’t the ones calling for a collectivist political revolution fomented through the deliberate sabotage of our basic life support systems and upending of our socio-cultural norms. That will be the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC). If you don’t believe me, please read what they have to say in Section 9.7 (“Steps for Acceleration”) of Chapter 13 of the third part of their sixth assessment report, which was finalised in April 2022:
“Explicit transformational system changes are necessary, including efforts at directing transformations, such as clear direction setting through the elaboration of shared visions, and coordination across diverse actors across different policy fields, such as climate and industrial policy, and across governance levels” with a “focus on undermining carbon intensive systems, thereby reducing opposition to more generalised acceleration policies”. The underlying logic of this, they say in conclusion, is that “If high carbon systems are weakened then this may reduce the opposition to policies and actions aimed at accelerating climate mitigation, enabling more support for low-carbon systems … new modes of governance may be better suited to this approach in the context of transformative change”.
In case any is not clear what “new modes of governance” (ie government) they have in mind exactly, they also helpfully point out that “Corporatist societies, where economic groups are formally involved in public policy making, have better climate related outcomes (lower CO2 emissions and higher low-carbon investments) than liberal-pluralist countries”, and emphasise the need to move from “a single policy instrument or mix of policies approach to a systemic economy-wide approach” with “coordination of actions and coherent narratives across sectors and cross economy”.
Now if that isn’t extremism, what is? Please, if you can interpret this as anything other than an explicit call for an anti-democratic, collectivist, political revolution, I would be very interested to understand your perspective because maybe I have just missed something.
Read Chapter 13 for yourself here: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-3/
I wish people would stop referring to the great replacement as a conspiracy theory when it is merely a valid factual observation. Blair and Brown radically increased immigration with a view to rubbing the noses of ‘Little Englanders’ in it and mixing the country up. The London Borough of Brent is 99.6% Asian ethnicity. The white population of vast areas in this country has literally been replaced. Whether you think this matters or not is your opinion but it is intellectually dishonest to claim (like cancel culture) that it isn’t happening.
99.6%? Citation needed mon ami. Claims like this undermine your position.
(Brent’s own figure is 64% https://data.brent.gov.uk/dataset/vqkrd/community-profile-evidence-pack ).
You think that a population replacement of 64% and still growing, ISN’T replacement?
You think that a population replacement of 64% and still growing, ISN’T replacement?
99.6%? Citation needed mon ami. Claims like this undermine your position.
(Brent’s own figure is 64% https://data.brent.gov.uk/dataset/vqkrd/community-profile-evidence-pack ).
I wish people would stop referring to the great replacement as a conspiracy theory when it is merely a valid factual observation. Blair and Brown radically increased immigration with a view to rubbing the noses of ‘Little Englanders’ in it and mixing the country up. The London Borough of Brent is 99.6% Asian ethnicity. The white population of vast areas in this country has literally been replaced. Whether you think this matters or not is your opinion but it is intellectually dishonest to claim (like cancel culture) that it isn’t happening.
I think that Clem Atlee got it right when he commented “There are a lot of clever people about who have no judgement”
But perhaps his best remark was never use one word when NONE will do.
But perhaps his best remark was never use one word when NONE will do.
I think that Clem Atlee got it right when he commented “There are a lot of clever people about who have no judgement”
A great piece except for the astonishing and laughable conclusion that somehow a woman actively working to deny and suppress the principles of logic, truth and freedom and a man working to defend them are equivalent.
A great piece except for the astonishing and laughable conclusion that somehow a woman actively working to deny and suppress the principles of logic, truth and freedom and a man working to defend them are equivalent.
Ebner is clearly neither an expert not an academic. Though she may well be one of the ever-growing cohort of those engaged in academic sleight-of-hand.
Or perhaps simply no longer compos mentis: “Mumsnet is a hotbed of extremist radicalisation” !!!
Or perhaps she’s simply here as a wind-up merchant.
Ebner is clearly neither an expert not an academic. Though she may well be one of the ever-growing cohort of those engaged in academic sleight-of-hand.
Or perhaps simply no longer compos mentis: “Mumsnet is a hotbed of extremist radicalisation” !!!
Or perhaps she’s simply here as a wind-up merchant.
I thought the article was going to major a bit more on the theme of extreme right and left parodying each other, but instead it spent too long, for me, critiquing one specific Researcher.
The ‘parody’ has always been there IMO. The psychological reflex is v similar on both extremes and usually includes a large degree of narcissism to sustain it too.
Certainly something about how the extremes at both ends of the spectrum appear sometimes to have hollowed out the moderate centre. But I think it’s more ‘appearance’ and in truth their is a yearning for more moderate centre common sense and balance. Trouble is tends not generate as many clicks or subscriptions.
Do you consider yourself to be on the ‘moderate centre’?
Pretty much. Of course to some UnHerd regulars I’ll be a pinko-Commie but that’s primarily because they are rattling around in a right wing conspiratorial echo-chamber a little too much.
I’m no fan of some of the more outlandish Woke twaddle, but no problem with kindness, tolerance, inquisitiveness and ‘live and let live’ generally too.
Yet you have no difficulty with describing anyone who disagrees with you in even the mildest terms as ‘rattling around in a right wing conspiratorial echo-chamber’?
Absolutely. Being moderate centre means essential one does.
The problem is almost everyone thinks that they are nice moderate centrists and that it’s the other who is extreme. This is why I dislike the left-right political dichotomy so intensely; it’s an effective way of ‘herding’ people’s thoughts. What helps me a lot is to try to approach issues from the side of those who have an opposite stance to me. Although I struggle with it, it has taught me the value of entertaining an opinion without necessarily agreeing with it.
The problem is almost everyone thinks that they are nice moderate centrists and that it’s the other who is extreme. This is why I dislike the left-right political dichotomy so intensely; it’s an effective way of ‘herding’ people’s thoughts. What helps me a lot is to try to approach issues from the side of those who have an opposite stance to me. Although I struggle with it, it has taught me the value of entertaining an opinion without necessarily agreeing with it.
Absolutely. Being moderate centre means essential one does.
Do you think there is power imbalance between extreme left wing and right wing ideologues? Do the institutions have an equal balance of both extremes?
I wouldn’t classify you as a pinko-communist in any way, j watson. In fact I completely agree that you are a centrist.
In fact you’re the very embodiment of a centrist, in that you are completely unwilling to listen to, or engage with anyone who dares to question your views. Granted, some non-centrist beliefs are bonkers and worthy of your scorn, but you appear equally dismissive when presented with more sensible stuff.
For example, I don’t think the following views are in any way extreme or ridiculous, yet are regularly treated as such by the so-called moderate centre:
1. That transgender people need to be treated according to their biological gender when it comes to stuff such as sport or prison.
2. That there are sensible ways in which we can protect the environment without resorting to reducing standards of living for all but the richest worldwide and de-industrialising to the point where large swathes of the world populace no longer has a vocation.
3. That in many cases immigration has positive effects, but that unlimited immigration creates issues and allowing people in without any checks and balances is downright stupid.
4. That it’s completely inconsistent to argue that people have the absolute power over their body in terms of abortion, but should be excluded from society if they don’t have an experimental vaccine injected into them multiple times.
5. That law enforcement should be consistent and without fear or favour, and should certainly not favour one set of political beliefs over another.
These are all, in my view at least, sensible arguments that the centre consistently dismisses out of hand. And guess what? When the moderate people who are not clapping seals for the centre see this happening, they start to seek out those on the fringes who might listen. And this is why the centre is failing so miserably, and this is why those on the left and right fringes are growing in popularity.
From your contributions on here, j watson, you think you are the solution, but you are, in fact, part of the problem.
Yet you have no difficulty with describing anyone who disagrees with you in even the mildest terms as ‘rattling around in a right wing conspiratorial echo-chamber’?
Do you think there is power imbalance between extreme left wing and right wing ideologues? Do the institutions have an equal balance of both extremes?
I wouldn’t classify you as a pinko-communist in any way, j watson. In fact I completely agree that you are a centrist.
In fact you’re the very embodiment of a centrist, in that you are completely unwilling to listen to, or engage with anyone who dares to question your views. Granted, some non-centrist beliefs are bonkers and worthy of your scorn, but you appear equally dismissive when presented with more sensible stuff.
For example, I don’t think the following views are in any way extreme or ridiculous, yet are regularly treated as such by the so-called moderate centre:
1. That transgender people need to be treated according to their biological gender when it comes to stuff such as sport or prison.
2. That there are sensible ways in which we can protect the environment without resorting to reducing standards of living for all but the richest worldwide and de-industrialising to the point where large swathes of the world populace no longer has a vocation.
3. That in many cases immigration has positive effects, but that unlimited immigration creates issues and allowing people in without any checks and balances is downright stupid.
4. That it’s completely inconsistent to argue that people have the absolute power over their body in terms of abortion, but should be excluded from society if they don’t have an experimental vaccine injected into them multiple times.
5. That law enforcement should be consistent and without fear or favour, and should certainly not favour one set of political beliefs over another.
These are all, in my view at least, sensible arguments that the centre consistently dismisses out of hand. And guess what? When the moderate people who are not clapping seals for the centre see this happening, they start to seek out those on the fringes who might listen. And this is why the centre is failing so miserably, and this is why those on the left and right fringes are growing in popularity.
From your contributions on here, j watson, you think you are the solution, but you are, in fact, part of the problem.
Pretty much. Of course to some UnHerd regulars I’ll be a pinko-Commie but that’s primarily because they are rattling around in a right wing conspiratorial echo-chamber a little too much.
I’m no fan of some of the more outlandish Woke twaddle, but no problem with kindness, tolerance, inquisitiveness and ‘live and let live’ generally too.
Do you consider yourself to be on the ‘moderate centre’?
I thought the article was going to major a bit more on the theme of extreme right and left parodying each other, but instead it spent too long, for me, critiquing one specific Researcher.
The ‘parody’ has always been there IMO. The psychological reflex is v similar on both extremes and usually includes a large degree of narcissism to sustain it too.
Certainly something about how the extremes at both ends of the spectrum appear sometimes to have hollowed out the moderate centre. But I think it’s more ‘appearance’ and in truth their is a yearning for more moderate centre common sense and balance. Trouble is tends not generate as many clicks or subscriptions.
Spot on. The ranty left and right look and sound like each other. It’ll be mortifying for both sides when they find out [I hope].
The PR problem for moderates is that we’re boring. It’s a hard sell. The modern world (helped greatly by the Internet) prefers the simple sexiness of certainty.
You’re right, but I think the appeal of performative outrage and easy answers is wearing off, at least in the UK, because people have twigged that its got us into the mess we’re in right now. The next election here will be a contest between culture war shouting and dull competence. I think dull competence will win this time.
You’re right, but I think the appeal of performative outrage and easy answers is wearing off, at least in the UK, because people have twigged that its got us into the mess we’re in right now. The next election here will be a contest between culture war shouting and dull competence. I think dull competence will win this time.
The right is a reaction to the left. The left forced the issue of ssm on society and then asked why the right was so obsessed with peoples sex lives when they objected. Not the same.
…and the left does not, is not a reaction to the right? The problems only started with the left? Please, this is an article challenging polarisation. It was doing a fair job, why pull it back into splitting processes. I admit some ignorance though – what is ssm?
There is a difference. It is the left that wanted to change the status quo – and then complains about meaningless culture wars when people object to the changes. Take the trans mess. There was complete harmony, 99.99% agreement across society that a woman is an adult, human female, defined by biology. It was the progressive side that started a war here.
Ah Rasmus you’re back! I agree on those specific, recent points, but cast your mind further back, and look also to the contemporary exceptions – there are just as many examples of the right being reactionary. Surely the nomenclature – conservatives/progressive – is heavily suggestive of the right position being the established position with the left challenging it? (of course now it’s tumble dryer of causation) I’m not trying to solve the chicken/egg conundrum, just pointing out that we don’t know either way, and that the question itself is likely some sort of fallacy
I think we do know. Even your wording – ‘reactionary’ means someone who wants to move back to a previous state, no? On general principles you cannot get out of the fact that it is the people who try to force a change against the wishes of a large (if possibly minority) group who are causing the war. Certainly if they make no efforts to carry their opponents with them – as progressives tend not to do, since they generally believe that they are the moral future and their opponents are the evil past. So it was the US supreme court (abortion and gay marriage, and the Dred Scott decision earlier), the suffragettes, and the abolitionists, who caused the relevant culture war. I’d agree that some of these cases had right and justice on their side, but it is still the conservatives who are reacting to the changers.
When it comes to tactics I’d agree that both sides do things that worsen the polarisation and trigger their opponents.
Could you give em some good examples of the right starting a culture war that the left is forced to react to?
An example? I think you gave a few – equal treatment for women, foreigners, gays, worker’s rights etc. At an early stage, some people (likely the male leaders – those with innate or developed strength of mind, body, family etc ) decided women/gays/working class/Africans etc were not to be treated as equals – those groups, usually after centuries of abuse, said enough and pushed back.
That is a very loaded way of putting it. ‘Equal treatment’ means what, exactly? If you are a gay minority in an overwhelmingly straight nation – or a Swedish-speaking minority in a Japanese-speaking nation – you can never be fully equal. The others grow up in a culture where their assumptions, their attitudes, their culture is shared by almost everyone around them – and you do not. You can share out the trouble in various ways, and be more or less open to variation, but you can never have a situation where everybody is equally free to express their innermost being and expect the same degree of affirmation from people around them.
Also, blaming it all on ‘male leaders’ is a cop-out. You have entire groups or tribes with shared culture and attitudes, who want to live in a world that reflect their identity and culture, which automatically means not reflecting someone elses. And the group (not just the leaders) try to organise society to fit their culture, if they have the power. Just as an example, it is *all* the Afghan men who want to keep women suppressed, not just a few mullahs.
I’ll grant you that the conflicts, between classes, sexes, sexualities, nationalities … are pre-existing. And for, say, the abolition of slavery or votes for women I’d be on the side of the rebels too. But it is still the case that it is the people trying to force a change in status quo who create the war. You may be on the side of right and justice to rebel against slavery or female disenfranchisement – but you can still not deny that you are the ones who create the war, not the people who were happy to live in peace and keep things the way they were.
but you can still not deny that you are the ones who create the war
So from your last paragraph it follows that you’d put the causative responsibility of starting a slave revolt upon the revolting slaves. I understand that this has some literal truth, at the time of the uprising (it was indeed the slave who picked up a cudgel and bashed the ‘owners’), but it seems you have missed the start of the story – when slavers (black and white) captured slaves and dominated them with violence – is that not the start of the war?
To some extent we are talking semantics here, I am not sure we disagree that much. But you have to distinguish between who started the war, and who has right on their side – because otherwise you end up down a rabbit hole. The argument becomes “You started the war, because you refused to give me what I want and therefore I had to attack you”. At which point you could argue that Saddam Hussein started the Iraq war, by refusing to let in enough weapons inspectors. That the Afghans started the was with the US – by refusing to hand over Al Quaeda. That Ukraine started the war with Russia – by refusing to become part of Russia’s sphere of influence and keep western influence out. That Britain started the trouble is in Ireland – by not giving independence to the whole island of Ireland. Or that the bar fight victim started the fight – by not vacating his bar stool when the aggressor demanded it.
Back to the slave revolts: Yes, there was a pre-existing conflict, and yes it was caused by the slave traders and plantation owners enslaving and mistreating people, and yes, the slaves had right on their side. You should blame the owners for that. But you still cannot say that the owners started the revolt – or blame them for shooting back when they get shot at.
As for the culture wars – we had a stable and peaceful situation that most people were OK with – and a minority admittedly were not. The culture wars came about when one group tried to force the other group to submit to their demands for change. We can discuss which side is in the right, and which solution is ultimately better for humanity. I tend to think in terms of groups with legitimately different desires that have to compromise on living together. There will be conflicts, but people still have conscious choice whether they choose the damage and trouble of going to war -metaphorically or literally – to resolve them. So as I see it we cannot get out of the fact that it was the progressive side that started the culture war by trying to force a change, not the conservative side that caused a war by refusing to submit.
We’re almost there in agreement, as you say, semantics and details. I absolutely agree that the current culture wars are largely the result of an excess of intolerant, self-righteous activism bordering on bullying/mental illness. I think they would not have been so shrill, or listened to by otherwise serious media/government/public/private organisations, if not for the backstory – the progressives have inexorably won the war on workers/womens/gays rights – voting/gay legality marriage/race, and leading on abortion, liberalisation of drugs (more messy). I learned just last night that it was illegal for women to wear trouser in the USA until 1965 and in the Senate until 1990. In retrospect conservatives have often sounded every bit as ridiculous and bullying as Mermaids/GLAAD today.
I’m surprised that neither of you has mentioned the “burden of proof,” a longstanding legal and philosophical principle that relies on common sense. Whenever people challenge conventional wisdom (or status quo), the burden of proof is surely on them to convince others of the need to think or behave differently. In the law courts of Anglo-American countries, for instance, the initial assumption is that the accused are innocent until proven guilty. The state, therefore, has the burden of proving otherwise.
This doesn’t mean that the accused are innocent, only that the state must demonstrate their guilt or innocence. Otherwise, there would be no need for a trial at all and we’d all be at the mercy of vigilantes.
So this debate is of more than “semantic” or theoretical importance. The threat to due process (formerly conventional wisdom) comes not from conservatives at all but from the wokers and progressives (often with implicit or explicit support even from liberals). And this was already the case on countless college campuses at least a decade before the #MeToo movement.
I’d follow you, but only up to a point. Yes, the status quo has priority as it were. You need a justification for changing it, but not for keeping things as they were. Which nullifies a common progressive debating trick of saying ‘of course women/gays/transsexuals/animals must have the exact same rights as you – Prove to me why they should not!’ And more generally the people who are thinking about starting a struggle have the responsibility of considering whether the damage from struggling, polarisation etc. outweighs the gains.
But ‘burden of proof‘ is too strong – it would give the conservatives an effective veto. Also it only works within an agreed system. In a legal system you can agree on standard requirements for proof. But if you look at women against men in the 1800’s (or contemporary Afghanistan), workers against capitalists, or blacks against whites in the Antebellum south, there is no way that the dominant group will ever let itself be convinced by pure argument that they need to change their ways. You cannot avoid a struggle.
My favourite model would be an acceptance of diverse interests and viewpoints as legitimate (also from progressives, who notoriously think they have a monopoly on virtue) and a continuous jostling between groups, with a tension between struggling to get everything your way, which is understandable but zero-sum, and compromising for the sake of social harmony, which is in everybody’s interest.
No, Rasmus, I don’t think that the burden of proof gives conservatives an “effective veto” on any change. (And giving liberals a veto, albeit on other grounds, has done nothing to maintain the civility of public discourse.) This legal and moral principle merely requires convincing arguments for change. It might take time to convince most people, sure, but that’s what happens all the time in democracies. So your counter argument rests on examples that ignore the current context of this discussion.
We don’t live in Afghanistan, for instance, where the Taliban acknowledge no arguments at all (let alone democratic ideals and institutions).
Nor do we live in the antebellum South, although even that society was democratic enough (despite the aristocratic pretensions of its elite) to allow arguments against slavery (before the war). Moreover, four American slave states (Delaware, Maryland, Missouri and part of Kentucky) actually fought with the Union and therefore against the future of slavery. In fact, the British and their colonists had argued about slavery since the eighteenth century and increasingly in the nineteenth. Largely (but not only) due to the efforts of evangelical Christians, Parliament abolished the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1807 and throughout its colonies overseas (which, by that time, no longer included the American states) in 1834. Those accomplishments were due to arguments that the abolitionists had to make against what had been an almost universal practice for thousands of years.
I think we mostly agree. I just would nto use the words ‘burden of proof’, because I think that even if I do more or less agree with what you mean, they communicate the wrong message to most people who read them.
I think we mostly agree. I just would nto use the words ‘burden of proof’, because I think that even if I do more or less agree with what you mean, they communicate the wrong message to most people who read them.
No, Rasmus, I don’t think that the burden of proof gives conservatives an “effective veto” on any change. (And giving liberals a veto, albeit on other grounds, has done nothing to maintain the civility of public discourse.) This legal and moral principle merely requires convincing arguments for change. It might take time to convince most people, sure, but that’s what happens all the time in democracies. So your counter argument rests on examples that ignore the current context of this discussion.
We don’t live in Afghanistan, for instance, where the Taliban acknowledge no arguments at all (let alone democratic ideals and institutions).
Nor do we live in the antebellum South, although even that society was democratic enough (despite the aristocratic pretensions of its elite) to allow arguments against slavery (before the war). Moreover, four American slave states (Delaware, Maryland, Missouri and part of Kentucky) actually fought with the Union and therefore against the future of slavery. In fact, the British and their colonists had argued about slavery since the eighteenth century and increasingly in the nineteenth. Largely (but not only) due to the efforts of evangelical Christians, Parliament abolished the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1807 and throughout its colonies overseas (which, by that time, no longer included the American states) in 1834. Those accomplishments were due to arguments that the abolitionists had to make against what had been an almost universal practice for thousands of years.
I’d follow you, but only up to a point. Yes, the status quo has priority as it were. You need a justification for changing it, but not for keeping things as they were. Which nullifies a common progressive debating trick of saying ‘of course women/gays/transsexuals/animals must have the exact same rights as you – Prove to me why they should not!’ And more generally the people who are thinking about starting a struggle have the responsibility of considering whether the damage from struggling, polarisation etc. outweighs the gains.
But ‘burden of proof‘ is too strong – it would give the conservatives an effective veto. Also it only works within an agreed system. In a legal system you can agree on standard requirements for proof. But if you look at women against men in the 1800’s (or contemporary Afghanistan), workers against capitalists, or blacks against whites in the Antebellum south, there is no way that the dominant group will ever let itself be convinced by pure argument that they need to change their ways. You cannot avoid a struggle.
My favourite model would be an acceptance of diverse interests and viewpoints as legitimate (also from progressives, who notoriously think they have a monopoly on virtue) and a continuous jostling between groups, with a tension between struggling to get everything your way, which is understandable but zero-sum, and compromising for the sake of social harmony, which is in everybody’s interest.
I’m surprised that neither of you has mentioned the “burden of proof,” a longstanding legal and philosophical principle that relies on common sense. Whenever people challenge conventional wisdom (or status quo), the burden of proof is surely on them to convince others of the need to think or behave differently. In the law courts of Anglo-American countries, for instance, the initial assumption is that the accused are innocent until proven guilty. The state, therefore, has the burden of proving otherwise.
This doesn’t mean that the accused are innocent, only that the state must demonstrate their guilt or innocence. Otherwise, there would be no need for a trial at all and we’d all be at the mercy of vigilantes.
So this debate is of more than “semantic” or theoretical importance. The threat to due process (formerly conventional wisdom) comes not from conservatives at all but from the wokers and progressives (often with implicit or explicit support even from liberals). And this was already the case on countless college campuses at least a decade before the #MeToo movement.
We’re almost there in agreement, as you say, semantics and details. I absolutely agree that the current culture wars are largely the result of an excess of intolerant, self-righteous activism bordering on bullying/mental illness. I think they would not have been so shrill, or listened to by otherwise serious media/government/public/private organisations, if not for the backstory – the progressives have inexorably won the war on workers/womens/gays rights – voting/gay legality marriage/race, and leading on abortion, liberalisation of drugs (more messy). I learned just last night that it was illegal for women to wear trouser in the USA until 1965 and in the Senate until 1990. In retrospect conservatives have often sounded every bit as ridiculous and bullying as Mermaids/GLAAD today.
To some extent we are talking semantics here, I am not sure we disagree that much. But you have to distinguish between who started the war, and who has right on their side – because otherwise you end up down a rabbit hole. The argument becomes “You started the war, because you refused to give me what I want and therefore I had to attack you”. At which point you could argue that Saddam Hussein started the Iraq war, by refusing to let in enough weapons inspectors. That the Afghans started the was with the US – by refusing to hand over Al Quaeda. That Ukraine started the war with Russia – by refusing to become part of Russia’s sphere of influence and keep western influence out. That Britain started the trouble is in Ireland – by not giving independence to the whole island of Ireland. Or that the bar fight victim started the fight – by not vacating his bar stool when the aggressor demanded it.
Back to the slave revolts: Yes, there was a pre-existing conflict, and yes it was caused by the slave traders and plantation owners enslaving and mistreating people, and yes, the slaves had right on their side. You should blame the owners for that. But you still cannot say that the owners started the revolt – or blame them for shooting back when they get shot at.
As for the culture wars – we had a stable and peaceful situation that most people were OK with – and a minority admittedly were not. The culture wars came about when one group tried to force the other group to submit to their demands for change. We can discuss which side is in the right, and which solution is ultimately better for humanity. I tend to think in terms of groups with legitimately different desires that have to compromise on living together. There will be conflicts, but people still have conscious choice whether they choose the damage and trouble of going to war -metaphorically or literally – to resolve them. So as I see it we cannot get out of the fact that it was the progressive side that started the culture war by trying to force a change, not the conservative side that caused a war by refusing to submit.
but you can still not deny that you are the ones who create the war
So from your last paragraph it follows that you’d put the causative responsibility of starting a slave revolt upon the revolting slaves. I understand that this has some literal truth, at the time of the uprising (it was indeed the slave who picked up a cudgel and bashed the ‘owners’), but it seems you have missed the start of the story – when slavers (black and white) captured slaves and dominated them with violence – is that not the start of the war?
That is a very loaded way of putting it. ‘Equal treatment’ means what, exactly? If you are a gay minority in an overwhelmingly straight nation – or a Swedish-speaking minority in a Japanese-speaking nation – you can never be fully equal. The others grow up in a culture where their assumptions, their attitudes, their culture is shared by almost everyone around them – and you do not. You can share out the trouble in various ways, and be more or less open to variation, but you can never have a situation where everybody is equally free to express their innermost being and expect the same degree of affirmation from people around them.
Also, blaming it all on ‘male leaders’ is a cop-out. You have entire groups or tribes with shared culture and attitudes, who want to live in a world that reflect their identity and culture, which automatically means not reflecting someone elses. And the group (not just the leaders) try to organise society to fit their culture, if they have the power. Just as an example, it is *all* the Afghan men who want to keep women suppressed, not just a few mullahs.
I’ll grant you that the conflicts, between classes, sexes, sexualities, nationalities … are pre-existing. And for, say, the abolition of slavery or votes for women I’d be on the side of the rebels too. But it is still the case that it is the people trying to force a change in status quo who create the war. You may be on the side of right and justice to rebel against slavery or female disenfranchisement – but you can still not deny that you are the ones who create the war, not the people who were happy to live in peace and keep things the way they were.
An example? I think you gave a few – equal treatment for women, foreigners, gays, worker’s rights etc. At an early stage, some people (likely the male leaders – those with innate or developed strength of mind, body, family etc ) decided women/gays/working class/Africans etc were not to be treated as equals – those groups, usually after centuries of abuse, said enough and pushed back.
I think we do know. Even your wording – ‘reactionary’ means someone who wants to move back to a previous state, no? On general principles you cannot get out of the fact that it is the people who try to force a change against the wishes of a large (if possibly minority) group who are causing the war. Certainly if they make no efforts to carry their opponents with them – as progressives tend not to do, since they generally believe that they are the moral future and their opponents are the evil past. So it was the US supreme court (abortion and gay marriage, and the Dred Scott decision earlier), the suffragettes, and the abolitionists, who caused the relevant culture war. I’d agree that some of these cases had right and justice on their side, but it is still the conservatives who are reacting to the changers.
When it comes to tactics I’d agree that both sides do things that worsen the polarisation and trigger their opponents.
Could you give em some good examples of the right starting a culture war that the left is forced to react to?
Ah Rasmus you’re back! I agree on those specific, recent points, but cast your mind further back, and look also to the contemporary exceptions – there are just as many examples of the right being reactionary. Surely the nomenclature – conservatives/progressive – is heavily suggestive of the right position being the established position with the left challenging it? (of course now it’s tumble dryer of causation) I’m not trying to solve the chicken/egg conundrum, just pointing out that we don’t know either way, and that the question itself is likely some sort of fallacy
Same sex “marriage.”
Thank you Betsy. I am dumbfounded that someone thinks that ssm was ‘forced upon society’. Whether two people get married has nothing to do with me – if I were to tell them they cannot get married because I don’t like it – that would be the problem. Though I wouldn’t want to force any church or vicar to marry anyone and everyone (the clear example – Catholic priests are not required to marry non-Catholics!).
That is actually not true. If it was a purely private ceremony that other people were free to ignore (like exchanging friendship bracelets) it would have nothing to do with you – but homosexuals were always free to do any private ceremony they felt like. The point of marriage is that it is a social institution. When you are married, society gives your relationship a certain status, and the members of society have an obligation to respect that status. That is why gays wanted marriage in the first place, to be able to demand that recognition of their relationship. There are legal consequences (next-of-kin rights, reversibility of pensions, etc.), but those were dealt with also by ‘registered partnership’. There are customary consequences (you would be expected to make particular allowances to your friends or employees or invited guests as a consequence of their being married, for instance). And there are more intangible considerations, like everybody being obliged to accept that a union between two people of the same sex is no different and no worse than a union of people of different sex. Which also means that a union of two people of different sex is no different and no better than a union of two people of the same sex . Which changes the meaning and nature of heterosexual marriage as well.
The equivalence of heterosexual and homosexual marriage seems to be a majority consensus by now, so you cannot complain about a minority forcing its opinions on a majority. But the argument that introducing ssm made no difference to anybody but the couple being married was always disingenous, if not dishonest.
I disagree entirely with what you wrote. So much so that I am not even interested in debating it – I am aware of how dismissive that sounds.
Too bad, I’d be interested in knowing what you disagree about. Is marriage not a social institution? Is it no different from friendship bracelets? Is there no obligation to treat people a bit differently when they are married (the courts would tend to disagree here)?
Well, thanks for at least anwering, anyway.
Hi Rasmus,
Well that’s a gentle reply, so here’s my thought – I agree of course that ssm upset many people, those who defined marriage as a sacred bond-for-life between a man and a woman, usually with a view to having a family. People were also upset for essentially similar reasons when Britain was led by a Jewish man, Benjamin Disraeli; when black people used the same toilets as white; and the very idea of love between two people of the same sex (what next – zoophila, marrying your dog! – often I read that). I have minimal sympathy for their pain.
Thanks. Do you mind if I go another round?
On the specific point I’d say we agree that it does make a difference to an average heterosexual couple whether marriage is extended to same-sex couples as well. Your point is not that there is no difference, but that people are deeply wrong to dislike it, and indeed ought to welcome it. Which is a perfectly reasonable attitude, but I hope you will allow me to try to show that it is not all that simple. After all, that is your opinion. Why does it trump the opinions of your opponents?
Your examples did really make me think. I’d say that the best argument on your side might be white people in the Confederacy. Without being an expert I am sure that the idea that black people were different and inferior were a profoundly important part of their self-image, that they would be deeply reluctant to (be forced to) give up. And of course they were wrong – I cannot argue that one away. On the other side, Malays in Malaysia (who are a minority relative to Indians and Chinese) or Aboriginals in Australia would also be deeply reluctant to accept that they were just an equal part of a population of all the races that inhabited the territory, with no right to a particular identity or special treatment. Are they also wrong, do you think?
But on the gay marriage point, you think it is obvious that same-sex couples have the same right to marriage as mixed-sex couples – and that the comparison to zoophilia is so obviously wrong as to be a profound insult. But it is worth asking: just why is it obvious? Marriage has forever been defined as the union betwen one man and one woman. If it is obviously wrong to deny the same right to two people of the same sex – why is it then right to deny it to groups of more than two people? Between Muslims, Mormons, and Africans there are large established groups that have polygamy as an important part of their society. What is your argument to deny them? Even zoophilia. There are not many people who would actually want to marry their dog, but there are sure to be a few. If one of them were to claim his right to marry his beloved, what is your argument against it? That you think it is disgusting? He would then complain that your bigoted refusal is profoundly offensive and is denying him the right to live out his feelings and his love.
You could get the same kind of argument in other fields. For instance, many say it is right and to be supported that people are having important parts of their anatomy removed because their self-image says that they are of the opposite sex to the one they were born in. But once we accept that, what of people who want their genitals removed because their self-image is that of an eunuch? Or who want their legs removed because their self-image is that of a paraplegic? Do they also deserve support and treatment on the NHS? And if not, why not?
Personally I think that if you grant an individual right to demand approval for your own image and way of life, there is nowhere you can stop. Anything goes. The only consistent alternative is to say that the laws and institutions of society reflect its norms. And that the norms are set by a majority consensus. The only consistent way to exclude polygamy, zoophilia, eunuchs etc. is then to say that the majority consensus is that these things are not acceptable, however hard individual minorities disagree. But once you accept that the majority consensus has the right to override the self-conception of minorities, you can no longer just dismiss the anti-SSM people as nasty bigots. You may not have to give them a veto, but you have to at least listen to their concerns instead of just dismissing them out of hand.
Good counterpoint about the Malays, aboriginals – it’s a bit messy, but I’d say that they, as we all should, have to accept equality. A Malay is not a more substantial Malaysian than a Sino-Malay. I’m not sure that the length of time one has been in an area determines one’s rights there – can a recent incomer to Cornwall be said to love it less than those from old Cornish families, does one have to clock up years in a country or area before one has a vote? That said, there is surely a proper need for respect to the ‘old hands’- change slowly, don’t be triumphalist or aggressive, domineering (NB trans-activists) – most of this is of course far from the experience of indigenous people.
The argument against animal marriage is easier – the animal can’t consent. A lot of people do rather seem to be married to their pets anyway, including leaving them fortunes in their wills.
I’m not espousing a simple system of the majority having to accept the minority – or really any kind of simple democratic definition of morality. So, no, surgeons should not be allowed to chop off legs of those with body dysmorphia, I am content for capital punishment to be illegal even if the majority wish for it. A blend of democracy and careful thinking through of the issues at hand so that prejudice, and the multitude of other thought errors can be weeded out, as far as is realistically possible. Jonathan Haidt is very good on such issues, moral psychology, in his book, ‘The Righteous Mind’.
This discussion should probably start to peter out. ‘A blend of democracy and careful thinking‘ and ‘change slowly, don’t be aggressive‘ all sounds quite sensible. Unfortunately, it is in direct contradiction with the idea of weeding out : ‘prejudice, and the multitude of other thought errors‘. Basically, who determines what is a ‘thought error’? As long as you claim that your way is right and those who disagree suffer from ‘thought errors’, there is nothing that can or will stop you from being as arrogant, triumphalist or domineering as you happen to feel like. The alternative is not to say that all principles and cultures are equally good – I also think that mine are right and those of other people are wrong. But once you accept that other people can legitimately disagree with you and that you are trying to impose your vision on society, over theirs, you gain some welcome humility, and even tolerance.
As for ‘dogs cannot consent‘ that is dodging the question. If you really cared about their consent, you would have no right to keep them as pets – they cannot consent to that either. And anyway, if animal psychologists found a way to determine that dogs did indeed consent to a relationship, would you then decide that marriage to a dog was all right after all???
This discussion should probably start to peter out. ‘A blend of democracy and careful thinking‘ and ‘change slowly, don’t be aggressive‘ all sounds quite sensible. Unfortunately, it is in direct contradiction with the idea of weeding out : ‘prejudice, and the multitude of other thought errors‘. Basically, who determines what is a ‘thought error’? As long as you claim that your way is right and those who disagree suffer from ‘thought errors’, there is nothing that can or will stop you from being as arrogant, triumphalist or domineering as you happen to feel like. The alternative is not to say that all principles and cultures are equally good – I also think that mine are right and those of other people are wrong. But once you accept that other people can legitimately disagree with you and that you are trying to impose your vision on society, over theirs, you gain some welcome humility, and even tolerance.
As for ‘dogs cannot consent‘ that is dodging the question. If you really cared about their consent, you would have no right to keep them as pets – they cannot consent to that either. And anyway, if animal psychologists found a way to determine that dogs did indeed consent to a relationship, would you then decide that marriage to a dog was all right after all???
Good counterpoint about the Malays, aboriginals – it’s a bit messy, but I’d say that they, as we all should, have to accept equality. A Malay is not a more substantial Malaysian than a Sino-Malay. I’m not sure that the length of time one has been in an area determines one’s rights there – can a recent incomer to Cornwall be said to love it less than those from old Cornish families, does one have to clock up years in a country or area before one has a vote? That said, there is surely a proper need for respect to the ‘old hands’- change slowly, don’t be triumphalist or aggressive, domineering (NB trans-activists) – most of this is of course far from the experience of indigenous people.
The argument against animal marriage is easier – the animal can’t consent. A lot of people do rather seem to be married to their pets anyway, including leaving them fortunes in their wills.
I’m not espousing a simple system of the majority having to accept the minority – or really any kind of simple democratic definition of morality. So, no, surgeons should not be allowed to chop off legs of those with body dysmorphia, I am content for capital punishment to be illegal even if the majority wish for it. A blend of democracy and careful thinking through of the issues at hand so that prejudice, and the multitude of other thought errors can be weeded out, as far as is realistically possible. Jonathan Haidt is very good on such issues, moral psychology, in his book, ‘The Righteous Mind’.
Thanks. Do you mind if I go another round?
On the specific point I’d say we agree that it does make a difference to an average heterosexual couple whether marriage is extended to same-sex couples as well. Your point is not that there is no difference, but that people are deeply wrong to dislike it, and indeed ought to welcome it. Which is a perfectly reasonable attitude, but I hope you will allow me to try to show that it is not all that simple. After all, that is your opinion. Why does it trump the opinions of your opponents?
Your examples did really make me think. I’d say that the best argument on your side might be white people in the Confederacy. Without being an expert I am sure that the idea that black people were different and inferior were a profoundly important part of their self-image, that they would be deeply reluctant to (be forced to) give up. And of course they were wrong – I cannot argue that one away. On the other side, Malays in Malaysia (who are a minority relative to Indians and Chinese) or Aboriginals in Australia would also be deeply reluctant to accept that they were just an equal part of a population of all the races that inhabited the territory, with no right to a particular identity or special treatment. Are they also wrong, do you think?
But on the gay marriage point, you think it is obvious that same-sex couples have the same right to marriage as mixed-sex couples – and that the comparison to zoophilia is so obviously wrong as to be a profound insult. But it is worth asking: just why is it obvious? Marriage has forever been defined as the union betwen one man and one woman. If it is obviously wrong to deny the same right to two people of the same sex – why is it then right to deny it to groups of more than two people? Between Muslims, Mormons, and Africans there are large established groups that have polygamy as an important part of their society. What is your argument to deny them? Even zoophilia. There are not many people who would actually want to marry their dog, but there are sure to be a few. If one of them were to claim his right to marry his beloved, what is your argument against it? That you think it is disgusting? He would then complain that your bigoted refusal is profoundly offensive and is denying him the right to live out his feelings and his love.
You could get the same kind of argument in other fields. For instance, many say it is right and to be supported that people are having important parts of their anatomy removed because their self-image says that they are of the opposite sex to the one they were born in. But once we accept that, what of people who want their genitals removed because their self-image is that of an eunuch? Or who want their legs removed because their self-image is that of a paraplegic? Do they also deserve support and treatment on the NHS? And if not, why not?
Personally I think that if you grant an individual right to demand approval for your own image and way of life, there is nowhere you can stop. Anything goes. The only consistent alternative is to say that the laws and institutions of society reflect its norms. And that the norms are set by a majority consensus. The only consistent way to exclude polygamy, zoophilia, eunuchs etc. is then to say that the majority consensus is that these things are not acceptable, however hard individual minorities disagree. But once you accept that the majority consensus has the right to override the self-conception of minorities, you can no longer just dismiss the anti-SSM people as nasty bigots. You may not have to give them a veto, but you have to at least listen to their concerns instead of just dismissing them out of hand.
Hi Rasmus,
Well that’s a gentle reply, so here’s my thought – I agree of course that ssm upset many people, those who defined marriage as a sacred bond-for-life between a man and a woman, usually with a view to having a family. People were also upset for essentially similar reasons when Britain was led by a Jewish man, Benjamin Disraeli; when black people used the same toilets as white; and the very idea of love between two people of the same sex (what next – zoophila, marrying your dog! – often I read that). I have minimal sympathy for their pain.
Too bad, I’d be interested in knowing what you disagree about. Is marriage not a social institution? Is it no different from friendship bracelets? Is there no obligation to treat people a bit differently when they are married (the courts would tend to disagree here)?
Well, thanks for at least anwering, anyway.
I disagree entirely with what you wrote. So much so that I am not even interested in debating it – I am aware of how dismissive that sounds.
That is actually not true. If it was a purely private ceremony that other people were free to ignore (like exchanging friendship bracelets) it would have nothing to do with you – but homosexuals were always free to do any private ceremony they felt like. The point of marriage is that it is a social institution. When you are married, society gives your relationship a certain status, and the members of society have an obligation to respect that status. That is why gays wanted marriage in the first place, to be able to demand that recognition of their relationship. There are legal consequences (next-of-kin rights, reversibility of pensions, etc.), but those were dealt with also by ‘registered partnership’. There are customary consequences (you would be expected to make particular allowances to your friends or employees or invited guests as a consequence of their being married, for instance). And there are more intangible considerations, like everybody being obliged to accept that a union between two people of the same sex is no different and no worse than a union of people of different sex. Which also means that a union of two people of different sex is no different and no better than a union of two people of the same sex . Which changes the meaning and nature of heterosexual marriage as well.
The equivalence of heterosexual and homosexual marriage seems to be a majority consensus by now, so you cannot complain about a minority forcing its opinions on a majority. But the argument that introducing ssm made no difference to anybody but the couple being married was always disingenous, if not dishonest.
Thank you Betsy. I am dumbfounded that someone thinks that ssm was ‘forced upon society’. Whether two people get married has nothing to do with me – if I were to tell them they cannot get married because I don’t like it – that would be the problem. Though I wouldn’t want to force any church or vicar to marry anyone and everyone (the clear example – Catholic priests are not required to marry non-Catholics!).
There is a difference. It is the left that wanted to change the status quo – and then complains about meaningless culture wars when people object to the changes. Take the trans mess. There was complete harmony, 99.99% agreement across society that a woman is an adult, human female, defined by biology. It was the progressive side that started a war here.
Same sex “marriage.”
There’s a lot more to this than ssm.
…and the left does not, is not a reaction to the right? The problems only started with the left? Please, this is an article challenging polarisation. It was doing a fair job, why pull it back into splitting processes. I admit some ignorance though – what is ssm?
There’s a lot more to this than ssm.
It’ll be mortifying for both sides when they find out [I hope]
Unfortunately, their cognitive defenses will likely prevent them from finding this out – their sense of identity is built upon, defined by the fight. What often happens is the ‘poacher becomes a gamekeeper’ – they flip sides, most often, I think (?) from young Marxists to arch conservatives (Peter Hitchens).
The PR problem for moderates is that we’re boring. It’s a hard sell. The modern world (helped greatly by the Internet) prefers the simple sexiness of certainty.
The right is a reaction to the left. The left forced the issue of ssm on society and then asked why the right was so obsessed with peoples sex lives when they objected. Not the same.
It’ll be mortifying for both sides when they find out [I hope]
Unfortunately, their cognitive defenses will likely prevent them from finding this out – their sense of identity is built upon, defined by the fight. What often happens is the ‘poacher becomes a gamekeeper’ – they flip sides, most often, I think (?) from young Marxists to arch conservatives (Peter Hitchens).
Spot on. The ranty left and right look and sound like each other. It’ll be mortifying for both sides when they find out [I hope].
They are parodies because they are the same. Both have abondoned open societies in favour of closed ones that follow the “one true path” – trouble is they can’t agree what the path is! Funny as long as they stick to their playground sniping. When it turns to violence, book burnings, jailing opponents or even threats of the above the joke’s over, and legitimate authority will need to re-assert itself. Whether that happens before or after the tippping point will be measured in lives ruined and blood spilt.
They are parodies because they are the same. Both have abondoned open societies in favour of closed ones that follow the “one true path” – trouble is they can’t agree what the path is! Funny as long as they stick to their playground sniping. When it turns to violence, book burnings, jailing opponents or even threats of the above the joke’s over, and legitimate authority will need to re-assert itself. Whether that happens before or after the tippping point will be measured in lives ruined and blood spilt.
As there’s not much communism in China or North Korea, only brutal state authoritarianism – and it’s largely gone from Cuba too and just an economic disaster in Venezuela – then the key fight between innovative, fairly distributive markets and authoritarian corporatism is in the United States.
And in terms of the current social and cultural order, it’s a straight battle between Maoism and a free society where even the Republican Party could be said to be largely on the right side. In sum, you could call it resistance to the China-fication of the US, embodied in this frail, corrupt old president who is like a surreal cipher for Chairman Mao.
‘The China-fication if the US.’ And Western Europe. And Africa. Why don’t more people see this?
‘The China-fication if the US.’ And Western Europe. And Africa. Why don’t more people see this?
As there’s not much communism in China or North Korea, only brutal state authoritarianism – and it’s largely gone from Cuba too and just an economic disaster in Venezuela – then the key fight between innovative, fairly distributive markets and authoritarian corporatism is in the United States.
And in terms of the current social and cultural order, it’s a straight battle between Maoism and a free society where even the Republican Party could be said to be largely on the right side. In sum, you could call it resistance to the China-fication of the US, embodied in this frail, corrupt old president who is like a surreal cipher for Chairman Mao.
I’m one of those liberal opponents of radical so-called progressivism. Rufo is correct. Ebner is nuts.