I'm pretty left-wing when it comes to most of my ideals - hell, some might even call me a radical - but I'm becoming increasingly uncomfortable with how unnuanced many common leftist talking points are. I traditionally associated this lack of critical thinking with my ideological foes but I now see it among most of the people I'm supposedly on the same side as.
Here's the problem: trying to bring nuance to a conversation only ever gets me branded a traitor. It's not like my opponents suddenly like me either so I know I'm definitely not just a turncoat. Is there a way to tell someone that, actually, your common enemy is not entirely wrong without having them flip out?
You cant. It's the same on the extremist side of the right. You know what happens when people aren't allowed to settle their differences with words? I'm legitimately fearful of the future.
Carson Hall
I'm in this same boat and the only success I've found is in leading them to the conclusion rather than thrusting it on them. It's hard to find it worth the effort often honestly
Benjamin Taylor
Can you give any specific examples of what you’re experiencing?
I am a leftist too, and was in my youth quite right wing, so I’ve been on both sides of the divide. And to be honest I’ve seen more lack of nuance and black and white thinking from right wingers than leftists. The original reason I left the right was because in the past 5 years the right of centre discourse has become so toxic and ideological that I just couldn’t associate with it anymore
I'm a former anarcho-primitivist which heavily criticized both the extreme left and extreme right, so you know I'm OG and cool.
The problem is mostly an American/Western Anglosphere issue that comes down to a generation of internet kids who have no real culture and instead doubled down on identity politics.
Everyone is either a SJW tumblr snowflake, or everyone is an incel Nazi Jow Forums troll. There is absolutely nothing in between except for people who are seen as centrists aka not strong enough to have any real beliefs or flip-floppers that need to join their side which is the side that is correct.
You won't find that shit in most of the rest of the world.
the left has gone batshit insane. Both sides are hopeless at this point if you ask me. The fringe crazies on both sides are all that gets talked about anymore.
Isaac Gomez
I know it's an edgyboi woke 15 year old thing, but I've just given up on the whole left/right distinction. The fact that some people consider Steven Pinker and Ben Sharpio to be on the same side of the aisle is all I need to know it's meaningless at this point.
Look, the media/IC subverted the "old left" with radical liberalism to destroy their enemy. If you want some research, check how they subverted the right wing in late 80's/early 90's. Combat 18 was an IC run (Charlie Sargent) operation to encourage violence and terrorism so they could crush their enemy. Now the tables turned the other way as the right isn't a threat (controlled opposition now) so they'll kill the radical left. Most modern leftists don't even realise Ernesto Guevara was a hard-line Stalinist who abandoned the USSR after Stalin, ideologically.
Beware the enemy within, fellow travellers. Like alot of the right-wing "Nazis" can't even tell you the doctrine and don't follow it, apply the same to the left. "Liberal" leftism isn't leftism. It's liberalism, with a little socialism for the gibs. Hail Victory. Also it's the fault of the bloody kikes.
you know, they don't have to walk in a zig zag, they could just walk fucking straight through. Fucking retards.
John Allen
Odd, I left the left a few years ago when they started pushing the "fuck white people" narrative.
Elijah Torres
This, there’s nothing wrong with you OP, it’s just that leftists are becoming more and more unhinged, if you’re American it doesn’t help that the Democratic Party is pandering to these extremists and leaving more practical people like you for the birds
Benjamin Collins
No, they so self absorbed in the idea that their idea can't be possibly wrong in some way. Hearing they might be wrong makes them feel inferior, and both sides are a part of this failure to properly discuss.
OP, you are a part of the politically reasonable majority. If someone attacks you personally then just say that you advocate civil discussion and excuse yourself when it becomes anything else. The fringe elements are very loud right now, but most people simply do not feel the need to subjugate everyone else.
The good news is that the extremists tend to eat themselves when left to their own devices. Focus on the people who are for rational and civil debate.
Aaron Smith
This. Their political identity is inextricably linked to their perceived place in the world. To question their political platforms is to question their value as a human being. It's why it's so hard to have discussions with them.
Alexander Martinez
The extremist side of the right is way smaller
James Torres
Identity does play a part in it.
Adam Miller
What, and get sand in their shoes!?
Dominic Wood
What's pill it gonna be user, red or blue?
Grayson Morgan
Pretty sure those are meant to be switchbacks.
Carson Butler
What you find depends on where you look.
There are people who can't (or don't bother to) think beyond bumper-sticker cliches at all points on the political spectrum. And there are people who make cogent and coherent arguments for their views.
You might find some of the second group in water-cooler bull sessions, but it's not too likely. You will find them in political magazines, newspaper editorials and serious debates.
Adam Green
It depends on how you do it. Can you remember a specific example where this happened? I think most people can meet somewhere in the middle, which isn't to say that a "middle" viewpoint is always correct, but that people can reach a mutual understanding.
Luke Butler
I know how you feel, Im the same exept for moderate right, I agree with alot of democrats on some points and republicans on others, the one common thing is neither side (espically) the farther in that direction you go the less the person seems to question their beliefs logically, hopfully this helps user
