I read it as a statement regarding the US's foreign policy, and by extension a reflection on the cultural perception of foreign affairs and, ultimately, domestic ones.
Ok, I can see how I might have misinterpreted if his "absolute conviction that you're the only intelligent person on the planet" as being directed at Trump. If that's the case, I rescind everything. But the "similar principle applies with moral certitude and the malice and corruption of others" still makes me think not.
Or if I've misinterpreted in some other way, I apologize.
And looking at the ninjas before I hit post, it looks like I was... halfway misinterpreting? Regardless, I'm sorry if I overreacted.
You're literally saying that people can only disagree with politics so long as they don't take a moderate stance, and that a statement to the contrary amounts to a veiled, deliberate personal insult.
Yeah, that's how I felt when one time when I said something about how I disapproved of both major parties on something or other, someone replied "What's important is that you've found a way to feel like you're better than everyone on both sides." Can't remember who it was. It wasn't mainiac. But you know what? There's plenty of people out there who would match that assessment. Political hipsters who gravitate towards something fringe where they can feel like they're part of an enlightened minority. People who identify as alt-right conservatives without much informed conviction only because it's the convenient place from which to stroke their troll egos are a good current example of this.
I was taken aback, didn't know how to respond, let that comment and the whole coversation pass as I self-examined, and felt similarly restricted by the sentiment. I've seen it repeated many times since, and grow increasingly motivated to push back because of the powerfully clever but substance-less shutdown it is. I see it more and more as anti-establishment sentiment becomes more widespread, and where 15-20 years ago, arrogant political hipsters would have resided amongst the anti-establishment fringe, now they hide amongst the moderate minority.
And I don't think anything I said means that people can't take a moderate stance. I even provided examples of how to go about validly approaching a discussion about these things. But when somebody pulls the "Look at you feeling so superior to all the immoral and corrupt politicians and the idiots who elected them" act, I respond with "Look at you feeling so superior to everyone on the feeling-superior-through-proclaiming-disillusionment bandwagon. I'd be more convinced of your superiority if you attempted to deconstruct the bandwagon, rather than just proclaiming it exists."
Quick Edit:
Salmon I'm sorry I'm not trying to attack you here I generally respect you and the things you say, but I think you've just misinterpreted what he said is all.
Good to know. Hope the above clarifies my perspective a bit.
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Topic: AmeriPol thread (Read 3590289 times)