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Why is anything classifiable as "wokism" automatically morally and intellectually bankrupt junk? That sounds an awful lot like simply dismissing a broad categor

Why is anything classifiable as "wokism" automatically morally and intellectually bankrupt junk? That sounds an awful lot like simply dismissing a broad category of opinions that may contain a reasonably moral/intellectual subset, much like the thing that wokism is being accused of right now.

shockeychap 6y ago
Fair observation. But consider that proponents of "wokism" have busily engaged in censorship of thought and speech - showing no interest in a fair and open debate - while simultaneously demanding unquestioning fealty to its principles. For me, that speaks to an intrinsic and inherent moral and intellectual bankruptcy.
- threatofrain 6y ago
  There is a more vicious form of cancellation going on. - For example, only in 2003 was gay sex legal throughout the US. Is that a form of cancelling? - It’s still legal to fire or not hire gay people. Is that a form of cancelling? - US conservatives also fight for the right of any public official to follow the calling of Jesus by refusing to sign marriage licenses. Or the constitutional right to refuse business. - Does one not remember the Bush Jr presidential race where a US constitution ban on gay marriage was the get out to vote issue for Christian evangelicals? - We have doctors who cannot follow the prescriptions of their professional societies, such as the American Pediatric Society, because they are banned by law from advising youths on transgender treatment. - There is a race around the country to make it harder for those over 65 to vote, or to reduce voting locations. What is Cancellation? At the core of cancellation is the freedom of association. But freedom of association doesn’t make it so TX can prosecute gay men for having sex in a bedroom. Freedom of association means people either like you or don’t like you, and they will either associate with you or they won’t. Any discussion of harmony must account for a history of cruelty.
- chillacy 6y ago
  Scott Alexander has an interesting post called Conflict vs Mistake which makes the point that fair and open debate might actually be a consequence of certain world views but not others.
nec4b 6y ago
> Why is anything classifiable as "wokism" automatically morally and intellectually bankrupt junk? Because any one with minimum education in history can recognize wokism as the new cultural revolution being adapted for americans. It is not only junk it is also a vile ideology.
AnimalMuppet 6y ago
Sturgeon's Law: "90% of everything is crap". Classics are, at least in theory, better than that - they're the 10% that have proven over time to not be crap. But of the "wokism" stuff, 90% of it will be crap - morally and intellectually bankrupt junk.
smitty1e 6y ago
I have yet to see the wisdom in anything recent. Possible after a time something enduring will precipitate out of recent thought. There is no shame in confessing having sold "wokism" short, should it prove other than so much folly.

shockeychap 6y ago

Fair observation. But consider that proponents of "wokism" have busily engaged in censorship of thought and speech - showing no interest in a fair and open debate - while simultaneously demanding unquestioning fealty to its principles. For me, that speaks to an intrinsic and inherent moral and intellectual bankruptcy.

threatofrain 6y ago
There is a more vicious form of cancellation going on. - For example, only in 2003 was gay sex legal throughout the US. Is that a form of cancelling? - It’s still legal to fire or not hire gay people. Is that a form of cancelling? - US conservatives also fight for the right of any public official to follow the calling of Jesus by refusing to sign marriage licenses. Or the constitutional right to refuse business. - Does one not remember the Bush Jr presidential race where a US constitution ban on gay marriage was the get out to vote issue for Christian evangelicals? - We have doctors who cannot follow the prescriptions of their professional societies, such as the American Pediatric Society, because they are banned by law from advising youths on transgender treatment. - There is a race around the country to make it harder for those over 65 to vote, or to reduce voting locations. What is Cancellation? At the core of cancellation is the freedom of association. But freedom of association doesn’t make it so TX can prosecute gay men for having sex in a bedroom. Freedom of association means people either like you or don’t like you, and they will either associate with you or they won’t. Any discussion of harmony must account for a history of cruelty.
chillacy 6y ago
Scott Alexander has an interesting post called Conflict vs Mistake which makes the point that fair and open debate might actually be a consequence of certain world views but not others.

nec4b 6y ago

> Why is anything classifiable as "wokism" automatically morally and intellectually bankrupt junk? Because any one with minimum education in history can recognize wokism as the new cultural revolution being adapted for americans. It is not only junk it is also a vile ideology.

AnimalMuppet 6y ago

Sturgeon's Law: "90% of everything is crap". Classics are, at least in theory, better than that - they're the 10% that have proven over time to not be crap. But of the "wokism" stuff, 90% of it will be crap - morally and intellectually bankrupt junk.

smitty1e 6y ago

I have yet to see the wisdom in anything recent. Possible after a time something enduring will precipitate out of recent thought. There is no shame in confessing having sold "wokism" short, should it prove other than so much folly.