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As an outside observer, the single most disturbing trend in the US is the fact that everybody seemingly feels totally entitled to police each other's lives. My

by atoav 4y ago

As an outside observer, the single most disturbing trend in the US is the fact that everybody seemingly feels totally entitled to police each other's lives. My personal religious believe frowns uppon $X? That means $X should now be illegal for everybody. I believe without evidence your kids are constantly unsafe: let me call the police on them. It is okay not to like what your neighbours are doing. It is okay (and maybe even necessary) to discuss this with them. But it is not okay to call the police on them or force them by law to your believes. And that in a nation where your cent piece had "Mind your business" written on it.

zpeti 4y ago
It’s the Protestant Puritanism of American culture getting stronger. It’s the same with the so called woke religion, it’s just a repackaging of Puritanism. Just like any culture there are many parts of the American one, but the part that comes from adventure, exploration, freedom etc definitely has been on the decline since about the 70-80s. Control and Puritanism is what’s stronger now. Personally I hope it swings back at some point.
- whythre 4y ago
  It’s all paternalistic authoritarianism… but the logic is consistent- if the majority of people think we should police how adults act and think, well, children should absolutely, unconditionally be micromanaged! The poor little fools might get hurt and then someone will get sued.
  - atoav 4y ago
    Don't get me wrong here, but I don't think what you (perhaps sarcastically?) state here is a good idea. If all adults agree to build mechanized genocidal murder factories that will remain a stain on humanity for centuries it is still wrong to do so. Some rights are non-negotiable to my eyes. Even (or maybe especially) when a democratic majority decides to break them. Legality doesn't matter here. The concentration camps next to where I grew up were also legal during Nazi reign. That doesn't make them right, not back then, not now and not in the future. I'd highly advise against a petty "let's se where that gets them"-stance when it comes to human rights issues, because those paying the price are not those who commit the atrocities.

by atoav 4y ago

zpeti 4y ago

It’s the Protestant Puritanism of American culture getting stronger. It’s the same with the so called woke religion, it’s just a repackaging of Puritanism. Just like any culture there are many parts of the American one, but the part that comes from adventure, exploration, freedom etc definitely has been on the decline since about the 70-80s. Control and Puritanism is what’s stronger now. Personally I hope it swings back at some point.

whythre 4y ago
It’s all paternalistic authoritarianism… but the logic is consistent- if the majority of people think we should police how adults act and think, well, children should absolutely, unconditionally be micromanaged! The poor little fools might get hurt and then someone will get sued.
- atoav 4y ago
  Don't get me wrong here, but I don't think what you (perhaps sarcastically?) state here is a good idea. If all adults agree to build mechanized genocidal murder factories that will remain a stain on humanity for centuries it is still wrong to do so. Some rights are non-negotiable to my eyes. Even (or maybe especially) when a democratic majority decides to break them. Legality doesn't matter here. The concentration camps next to where I grew up were also legal during Nazi reign. That doesn't make them right, not back then, not now and not in the future. I'd highly advise against a petty "let's se where that gets them"-stance when it comes to human rights issues, because those paying the price are not those who commit the atrocities.