1. Be very careful in use of the term “radicalized”. It implies an urge to violence, since one who is radicalized has lost all sense of proportion and has a mind overtaken with zealotry. There are a great many people opposed to the woke mind virus, and the number who would ever consider violence approaches zero. And Mr. Biden has made a big deal of pointing out the “threat” of right wing violence which he attributes to pretty much anyone who isn’t 100% in line with his singular political ideology. There are institutions that are absolutely lusting for an opportunity to use the raw power of the state to eliminate wrongthink.
2. I would propose that risk of dissidents falling into apathy is a greater risk than becoming overzealous.
3. In the face of powerful forces in society that are relentlessly trying to herd us into their woke worldview, one can become emotionally distraught. It’s important to maintain a healthy mindset and not let the magnitude of the problem interfere with one’s happiness, thriving, and joy for life. Hug your loved ones. Be kind to a stranger or a person who needs help. Hold open doors for people. Engage in your personal methods of mental, physical, and spiritual renewal.
"Realizing that you're being manipulated makes you challenge everything you once believed. I questioned every narrative I heard and started seeking information from all spectrums. I spent months listening to progressive, conservative, and libertarian media. Most don't do this.
I did this to find a balanced opinion on the world around me and to not fall for the trap of being stuck in a bubble that will further radicalize me. It’s why I try not to react to sensational content because in many situations it's not what you thought or it's completely missing context." Awesome post!!!!!!! Loved it. I find myself in complete awe with the insanity on both sides and the complete lack of awareness of the hypocrisy espoused by each. It is tribalism at it's finest. Stay true to truth and question everything - thank you for this read. Huge fan.
Good question. ICYMI, you might check out a post by Katherine Brodsky on that very point:
"But slowly things began to change. I started to notice a distinct shift in the people that I’ve grown to value as part of my virtual community. They’ve gotten angrier and more forceful in their opinions. Just like the people they had resented, they began to develop their own language to talk about them."
But of particular note there is this comment of mine which emphasized and elaborated on the point, this passage in particular:
"Nice articulation and summary of a rather serious social problem, arguably the crux of all other ones: my tribe, right or wrong. A whole lotta dogmatism on virtually all sides these days, including those that many here might reasonably have called their own not long ago.
You probably recollect Andrew Doyle's tweet that was a pretty solid and succinct indictment of many of the so-called Woke:
'The JK Rowling controversy has exposed one of the most chilling aspects of the woke ideology: the sheer certainty of its adherents. It never occurs to these people that they might be wrong. That’s why they refuse to debate. This is zealotry; it needs to be resisted.'
Unfortunately, far too many on 'our side' -- more or less those defending Rowling and many of those who follow in her wake -- are exhibiting pretty much the same levels of narrow-mindedness, intolerance, dogmatism, and outright zealotry."
I demand you take over immediately and fix all the problems, Adam. Here, I have made signs and shirts and hats so we can all march in lockstep together
Great article! I've edited down who I follow over the last few months because of people that post shock videos or make enraging claims.
As far as race, I'm with Leonydus Johnson in that we truly can't be united until the color of our skin is a non-issue and our character, the real issue.
I don't consider myself to be "fighting the woke" per se. I want to limit their influence on my life, but then again I don't want a radical right wing agenda influencing my life either. I think if you're participating in the discussion as though there is a war, you've already slipped into non-productive behavior and should reconsider. There is no possible outcome in this where any side gets everything that it wants. Reasonable people compromise and work towards peaceful resolutions.
I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; — but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest — I will not equivocate — I will not excuse — I will not retreat a single inch — AND I WILL BE HEARD.
I must say I was considering writing a similar article myself, primarily because I felt myself slowly radicalizing in the echo chamber of the anti-woke. We all need to beware of this possibility when imbibing social media, mainly because radicalization is being actively promoted on both sides from the highest levels. Why would they do this? Because while we are fighting against each other the evidence of their corruption gets put to the side and largely ignored, and who profits from this? We sure don’t. We the people are furthering malevolent political actors by taking the bait of division and hatred, whilst they enrich themselves at our expense.
Couple of comments :
1. Be very careful in use of the term “radicalized”. It implies an urge to violence, since one who is radicalized has lost all sense of proportion and has a mind overtaken with zealotry. There are a great many people opposed to the woke mind virus, and the number who would ever consider violence approaches zero. And Mr. Biden has made a big deal of pointing out the “threat” of right wing violence which he attributes to pretty much anyone who isn’t 100% in line with his singular political ideology. There are institutions that are absolutely lusting for an opportunity to use the raw power of the state to eliminate wrongthink.
2. I would propose that risk of dissidents falling into apathy is a greater risk than becoming overzealous.
3. In the face of powerful forces in society that are relentlessly trying to herd us into their woke worldview, one can become emotionally distraught. It’s important to maintain a healthy mindset and not let the magnitude of the problem interfere with one’s happiness, thriving, and joy for life. Hug your loved ones. Be kind to a stranger or a person who needs help. Hold open doors for people. Engage in your personal methods of mental, physical, and spiritual renewal.
4. Don’t give up. We will win.
I keep my focus on one fight: Authoritarianism v. Freedom. Any other focus falls into a trap.
When you choose dictatorship you don't always get to choose the dictator.
Woke & Anti-Woke: two sides, same coin.
I want to focus on a society based on fairness and compassion, not ridicule and censorship.
That's what I am praying for.
Always a good read Adam
"Realizing that you're being manipulated makes you challenge everything you once believed. I questioned every narrative I heard and started seeking information from all spectrums. I spent months listening to progressive, conservative, and libertarian media. Most don't do this.
I did this to find a balanced opinion on the world around me and to not fall for the trap of being stuck in a bubble that will further radicalize me. It’s why I try not to react to sensational content because in many situations it's not what you thought or it's completely missing context." Awesome post!!!!!!! Loved it. I find myself in complete awe with the insanity on both sides and the complete lack of awareness of the hypocrisy espoused by each. It is tribalism at it's finest. Stay true to truth and question everything - thank you for this read. Huge fan.
Good question. ICYMI, you might check out a post by Katherine Brodsky on that very point:
"But slowly things began to change. I started to notice a distinct shift in the people that I’ve grown to value as part of my virtual community. They’ve gotten angrier and more forceful in their opinions. Just like the people they had resented, they began to develop their own language to talk about them."
https://randomminds.substack.com/p/its-getting-lonely
Animal Farm, Part Deux ...
But of particular note there is this comment of mine which emphasized and elaborated on the point, this passage in particular:
"Nice articulation and summary of a rather serious social problem, arguably the crux of all other ones: my tribe, right or wrong. A whole lotta dogmatism on virtually all sides these days, including those that many here might reasonably have called their own not long ago.
You probably recollect Andrew Doyle's tweet that was a pretty solid and succinct indictment of many of the so-called Woke:
'The JK Rowling controversy has exposed one of the most chilling aspects of the woke ideology: the sheer certainty of its adherents. It never occurs to these people that they might be wrong. That’s why they refuse to debate. This is zealotry; it needs to be resisted.'
https://twitter.com/andrewdoyle_com/status/1208423606977515520
Unfortunately, far too many on 'our side' -- more or less those defending Rowling and many of those who follow in her wake -- are exhibiting pretty much the same levels of narrow-mindedness, intolerance, dogmatism, and outright zealotry."
https://randomminds.substack.com/p/its-getting-lonely/comment/13047485
I demand you take over immediately and fix all the problems, Adam. Here, I have made signs and shirts and hats so we can all march in lockstep together
Radicalizing is a psyops tool to divide us. It causes social isolation and mental health problems.
“We cannot use the Enemy’s Ring.”
Thank you, Adam, for giving good perspective. You didn't write this "for me," but you did me a good turn anyway.
I was emotionally primed by personal circumstances to personalize the topic you were writing about, and to kick back.
But grownups read first before deciding to feel a way about a thing, and I'm glad I did. My kicking back would have been childish and irrelevant.
Good piece.
I always assume I'm being propagandaized.
Why did the powerful allow Woodie to make that speech? Did they put him up to it?
Great article! I've edited down who I follow over the last few months because of people that post shock videos or make enraging claims.
As far as race, I'm with Leonydus Johnson in that we truly can't be united until the color of our skin is a non-issue and our character, the real issue.
I don't consider myself to be "fighting the woke" per se. I want to limit their influence on my life, but then again I don't want a radical right wing agenda influencing my life either. I think if you're participating in the discussion as though there is a war, you've already slipped into non-productive behavior and should reconsider. There is no possible outcome in this where any side gets everything that it wants. Reasonable people compromise and work towards peaceful resolutions.
Hope so. We are fighting evil...
I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; — but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest — I will not equivocate — I will not excuse — I will not retreat a single inch — AND I WILL BE HEARD.
~ William Lloyd Garrison
I must say I was considering writing a similar article myself, primarily because I felt myself slowly radicalizing in the echo chamber of the anti-woke. We all need to beware of this possibility when imbibing social media, mainly because radicalization is being actively promoted on both sides from the highest levels. Why would they do this? Because while we are fighting against each other the evidence of their corruption gets put to the side and largely ignored, and who profits from this? We sure don’t. We the people are furthering malevolent political actors by taking the bait of division and hatred, whilst they enrich themselves at our expense.