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I take some of your points and think you are right to call out that platforms that have a wide center but are hostile to extreme views are not echo chambers. H

I take some of your points and think you are right to call out that platforms that have a wide center but are hostile to extreme views are not echo chambers. However, I think the qualities that you are saying define post-Trump Republicans are a caricature that is convenient to believe in but not fair. Trump's unexpectedly broad support has to do more with the fact that he's willing to stand up against a far-left influence that has been spiraling out of control and taking the near-left and center with it, all the while facing little critique or checks from other politicians. This is a deeper topic than I can articulate in a single HN comment, but my point is that the quick takes that portray Trump voters in such negative terms feel good to us but are not fair because people have deeper, and often legitimate reasons to support him despite all of his drawbacks. I also think we should remember that progressive activists are only 8% of the country (https://hiddentribes.us/profiles/#progressive-activists https://hiddentribes.us/profiles/#progressive-activists) but they are forcing their views on everyone else, through aggressive/uncivil/authoritarian tactics and due to the physical location of influential media/tech companies. These mainstream platforms are marching to the tune of this 8% (an extreme) rather than the broad center in my opinion.

vehemenz 6y ago
Many on the "left" are fed up with progressive identity politics too, but they do not pivot to extremist ideology in the way that Republicans have. Trump's own failings are too many and self-evident that bother enumerating here. But you claim Trump's followers should not be subject to an unfair caricature. Why not? Trump came out as a racist in 2011, and the last five years have been a horror show. They've had years to self-correct. There are no positive ways left to be a Trump supporter. Rural America used to be honest, hard-working, and moral. Now it's dishonest, lazy, and immoral. This is Trump's base. It's not their fault, but we should view them in mostly negative terms, just as we do with Islamic extremists in Europe (the only analog I can think of). Yes, I agree that progressive activists have too much influence given their small numbers. But it doesn't make sense for Republicans to complain about progressive activists because they have opted out of mainstream society. First alt news, then alt morality, and now alt reality.

vehemenz 6y ago

Many on the "left" are fed up with progressive identity politics too, but they do not pivot to extremist ideology in the way that Republicans have. Trump's own failings are too many and self-evident that bother enumerating here. But you claim Trump's followers should not be subject to an unfair caricature. Why not? Trump came out as a racist in 2011, and the last five years have been a horror show. They've had years to self-correct. There are no positive ways left to be a Trump supporter. Rural America used to be honest, hard-working, and moral. Now it's dishonest, lazy, and immoral. This is Trump's base. It's not their fault, but we should view them in mostly negative terms, just as we do with Islamic extremists in Europe (the only analog I can think of). Yes, I agree that progressive activists have too much influence given their small numbers. But it doesn't make sense for Republicans to complain about progressive activists because they have opted out of mainstream society. First alt news, then alt morality, and now alt reality.