BTW, I wrote for The Good Men Project for a short while around 2015 when I first started to find my writer’s legs. I felt like a content producer (little to no editorial guidance) and the vibe was not good. The mission was dubious.
When I was there in 2012 and 2013 it was pretty damn weird. We had a lot of editorial guidance back then, but loads of fights in the comments. I wound up commenting back for hours sometimes. Didn't seem to make a difference and only stressed me out.
I don’t want Nazi’s, but I also don’t want Stalinists. Problem is I see many people calling out Nazi’s but also going so far as to ascribe that moniker to people or ideas NOT taken to that extreme. And people who pretend there are no “serious” /similar dangerous extremism on the left. Truth is I personally see both extremes (or any extremism really) as:“Dehumanizing people. Propaganda about groups of people, religious or otherwise. “Debating ideas” about equality. “Just asking questions.” A propensity for authoritarian rule in areas where the oppression was happening. Economic instability leading up to the authoritarian rule.” 🤷♀️ Which again leaves me without a party (I’ve been independent for at least 15 years) a candidate, or even a tribe. I do appreciate the wider range of ideas on Substack platform and that I can pick and choose whom to support, and that’s not everything is paywalled. (I don’t monetarily support anyone thus far, in no small part because I can’t afford it.)
I can agree that the pursuit of power can infect anyone. Oppression as a tool of power can be found lots of places throughout history. I tend to look for where people get to have their lives, bodies, reproductive choices, and economic opportunities widen, rather than shrink. That's all I can look for. I don't want anyone exterminated or crushed, or eliminated. I have seen groups over the 20th century want that. I think we need to be aware and note what we see.
Thanks for writing this. Proof there are bright souls about us.
Many thanks. Appreciate it.
BTW, I wrote for The Good Men Project for a short while around 2015 when I first started to find my writer’s legs. I felt like a content producer (little to no editorial guidance) and the vibe was not good. The mission was dubious.
When I was there in 2012 and 2013 it was pretty damn weird. We had a lot of editorial guidance back then, but loads of fights in the comments. I wound up commenting back for hours sometimes. Didn't seem to make a difference and only stressed me out.
I don’t want Nazi’s, but I also don’t want Stalinists. Problem is I see many people calling out Nazi’s but also going so far as to ascribe that moniker to people or ideas NOT taken to that extreme. And people who pretend there are no “serious” /similar dangerous extremism on the left. Truth is I personally see both extremes (or any extremism really) as:“Dehumanizing people. Propaganda about groups of people, religious or otherwise. “Debating ideas” about equality. “Just asking questions.” A propensity for authoritarian rule in areas where the oppression was happening. Economic instability leading up to the authoritarian rule.” 🤷♀️ Which again leaves me without a party (I’ve been independent for at least 15 years) a candidate, or even a tribe. I do appreciate the wider range of ideas on Substack platform and that I can pick and choose whom to support, and that’s not everything is paywalled. (I don’t monetarily support anyone thus far, in no small part because I can’t afford it.)
I can agree that the pursuit of power can infect anyone. Oppression as a tool of power can be found lots of places throughout history. I tend to look for where people get to have their lives, bodies, reproductive choices, and economic opportunities widen, rather than shrink. That's all I can look for. I don't want anyone exterminated or crushed, or eliminated. I have seen groups over the 20th century want that. I think we need to be aware and note what we see.