OK, so between this exchange and a revisit of the article, maybe I think I see: Conflict itself is not the signal of beef-first culture. Pitchforks aren't eith

OK, so between this exchange and a revisit of the article, maybe I think I see: Conflict itself is not the signal of beef-first culture. Pitchforks aren't either, nor being able to pick out Mooks and Knights. All of those things can be done in the service of values. Beef-first thinking involves personal/tribal status as first above all other values, perhaps even practically driving out all other values. And personal/tribal status aren't really inherent values, they really only exist in contrast to some Other. Which means they're inherently tied to actively sustaining conflict.