2 ms·
You make an interesting point in the last para. I agree about the focus on outrage in modern identity politics (if you haven't already read it, SSC's The Toxopl
by mrec 10y ago
You make an interesting point in the last para. I agree about the focus on outrage in modern identity politics (if you haven't already read it, SSC's The Toxoplasma of Rage [1] is the best overview I've seen), but I'm not sure it's ever occurred to me to include atheism in there.
Possibly because in my case the "outraged" aspect of my atheism was mostly a reaction to having religion shoved down my throat at school, and had largely faded by the time we got the Internet. But possibly also because I want nothing to do with identity politics of any stripe and didn't want to make that particular connection.
[1] http://slatestarcodex.com/2014/12/17/the-toxoplasma-of-rage/ http://slatestarcodex.com/2014/12/17/the-toxoplasma-of-rage/
- Analemma_ 10y agoIt's a good essay, but FWIW, a few months ago in one of his link dumps (which unfortunately I can't find atm) Scott approvingly reblogged an essay arguing that atheists should go back to being like outspoken and ardently anti-theist, like in the heyday of the late-2000's/early-2010's. I didn't agree with it myself, but it did raise some good points, and I wouldn't characterize Scott as being opposed to identity politics of all sorts.
- mrec 10y agoI don't remember that one. If you should happen to find it again, I'd very much appreciate a link. Scott often approvingly reblogs things for being interesting and thought-provoking, rather than necessarily agreeing with them, but he does change his mind too. (Which is a good thing.)
- stcredzero 10y agoScott approvingly reblogged an essay arguing that atheists should go back to being like outspoken and ardently anti-theist, like in the heyday of the late-2000's/early-2010's. There's nothing wrong with that on the face of it. However, I find that too many people in the 2nd or 3rd echelon and below are actually motivated by hate and self-promotion. (A minority, but enough to poison the well.) The same goes for most anything involved with identity politics.