4 ms·

Agreed. When capital-I 'Identity' becomes more than a descriptor polarization eventually becomes inevitable. The real question is is this process even possible

• s1artibartfast 3y ago
  >The real question is is this process even possible to stop? Conceptually, sure. In practice, I think it is less clear, but in general, I'm an optimist. This is because I think living in a ideological consummerist mindset is fulfilling, and over time, humans will lean and adapt, either individually or culturally. Like tulips, crypto, or whalebone corsets, consummerism relies on novely and the promise of fulfillment to dupe buyers. On a sufficiently long timeline, consumers realize that whatever they are buying isnt actually making their lives complete. >Does multiculturalism help or hurt this process? I don't have a stong opinion on this, so maybe it is a wash. Multiculturalism (ethnic, political, or other) certianly adds some more fuel to the fire, in terms of more shallow Identities and thoughts to buy into or object to. On the other hand, most cultures have subcultures that aren't shallow or polarized, so perhaps multiculturalism provides more ideological exit routes from the house fire it fuels. Time will tell if people will find and use those exits.