Sunday 6 December 2020

Rush to judgment

It suddenly came to me that something very odd is going on. There's a growing trend for authoritari-anism but also a growing trend for anti-authoritari-anism. How can they both be happening at once?

On the one hand, people rush to pass judgment on others, often people they've never met and have only heard of through the media. They home in on anyone who's provoked a bit of controversy and tell them forcefully where they're going wrong. They call for people to apologise for their actions, recant their opinions or lose their jobs.

Or they think people getting welfare payments or public housing or being granted asylum are being treated too generously and demand a stop to this burden on the taxpayer.

Or they call for harsher punishment for criminals and complain that prisons are too luxurious and should be more repressive.

At the same time there are people demanding more freedom and declaring they won't be told what to do. They object to the virus restrictions and oppose vaccines, face masks and distancing. They go to huge parties where hundreds of people are crowded together, spreading infection.

Or they object to any measures to reduce obesity-related health problems and insist on their right to be as plump as they wish and eat whatever they fancy.

Or they complain about complicated recycling rules and make a point of dumping their rubbish in any old bin. They won't be ordered about by the "nanny state".

Well, I'm not sure what that makes me as I wouldn't identify with either tendency. I'm one of those irritating middle-of-the-road types who takes whatever attitude seems to be most sensible - which might be authoritarian (if absolutely necessary) or might be the opposite. I don't take a position simply because it's fashionable/ woke/ trending on social media.

I naturally recoil from extreme opinions of any kind.

23 comments:

  1. The thought police are definitely ruling most of the world, thanks to the internet. I try to see both sides and not let myself get worked up over anything. When you’re upset, they win!

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    1. Bijoux: The thought police are everywhere, monitoring our attitudes and our use of language. "People in glass houses throwing stones" comes to mind.

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  2. I try and be equanimous so that news of any political shenanigans does not affect me in any way. I am by and large successful but, occasionally, I do get riled up with some stupid developments.

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    1. Ramana: I studiously avoid getting caught up in belligerent political arguments. They just turn into slanging matches between people who like the sound of their own voice.

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  3. I think it's same old, same old, but with the volume cranked up to eleven.
    We all need ear plugs.
    Sx

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    1. Ms Scarlet: Even the dear old Guardian has got more and more hysterical. Everything attracts "fury" and "outrage" and "humiliation".

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  4. All this woke stuff does my head in so I scrupulously avoid such goings on and have the advantage of blocking all who jump on my covid group and start mouthing off about "freedoms" - yes, to infect others you moron?

    I like safe spaces on the internet where group discussion are civil and respectful.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. www: Exactly, entirely selfish "freedom" that ignores other people's needs.

      I belong to three Facebook closed groups, where we can have a civilised discussion.

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  5. Things are too crazy. People have forgotten how to be civil with one another.

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    1. Mary: Very true. All the vicious trolling on social media has got totally out of control.

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  6. Your picture looks like me: my color short hair, glasses, v-neck knit top. There, that's my controversial subject for today. :)

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    1. Linda: That photo is you? Then I hope you aren't aiming that censorious look at me!

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    2. I didn't even notice her "censorious" look. I guess I've trained myself not to see such looks. :)

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    3. Linda: Definitely a censorious look. Someone off-camera is earning her disapproval.

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  7. "You take whatever attitude seems to be most sensible" That is it right there. It seems a lot of people are lacking in basic common sense. What they FEEL is what matters.

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    1. Debby: Indeed, it's now okay to respond to how you feel, with no unwanted interference from the brain.

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  8. I just say human nature in action...we're all a bunch of nuts. I'm no fun to argue with so people usually give up on me.

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    1. Jean: I'm good at arguing, but unless the other person is open to a change of opinion, it's a waste of time.

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    2. Question, Nick, since you "are good at arguing": Are YOU yourself "open to a change of opinion"? Or is putting a point, different to yours, "a waste of [anyone else's] time"?

      U

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  9. I enjoy discussing the pros and cons of matters as in debates. I'm not always trying to convert someone to my point of view but may be forceful taking a position on some issues which could lead them to think I'm trying to change their mind, I suppose. When someone ceases to be civil, gets into labeling and name-calling then I'm not interested. Also, if people get real emotional and their feelings get out-of-hand then that's often not pleasant either. Can be interesting to be a devil's advocate sometimes. Some people seem to want authoritarian leaders. Guess it relieves them of taking responsibility for decision-making and can blame others if things don't go the way they want. I don't welcome being dictated to and don't want to dictate to others.

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    1. Joared: So many online discussions descend into name-calling and labelling and emotional extremes. I steer away from them fast, as they're usually full of fixed opinions that aren't going to change.

      Yes, it's alarming how many people are attracted to authoritarian leaders.

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  10. When I read this post, Nick, one paragraph made me think of a recent film we watched (again) this season, A Christmas Carol.
    Perhaps, you also recall when Ebenezer Scrooge asks: Are They no prisons? . . . and no workhouses?
    What you have written is very true, more so now with people feeling they are being put upon by so many rules and regulations related to covid. While I see the need for many and we follow the masking and social distancing, there are quite unusual ones. For example, today I went for a haircut and found that all the coat hooks had been removed and patrons had to keep outerwear near them.

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    1. Beatrice: Like most people, I follow all the virus restrictions as well as I can, because they're obviously necessary, but the continuing sense of constriction and being "hemmed in" is really getting on my nerves now. I'm desperate to get back to my normal life of being out and about and doing whatever I fancy.

      The missing coat hooks make no sense at all! No such rule in my own hairdresser.

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