Yup! Thank you for the explainer - eloquent, concise, and so TRUE! They have also conflated “conservative” with “Trump supporter”… no true conservative would do what Trump is doing. I would be pissed off if I were a conservative, because now “conservative” means “illiberal”. As in Orban.
"Illiberal", precisely. Edmund Burke and de Maistre were conservatives.
trump? Orban? They are to Conservatism as a Lada resembles a Rolls-Royce (hey, both do have 4 wheels).
"Every country has the government it deserves. "
- Joseph de Maistre
I'm worried that America is about to achieve de Maistre's comment.
" The Right thinks that our country already has a moral identity, and hopes to keep that identity intact. It fears economic and political change, and therefore easily becomes the pawn of the rich and powerful-- the people whose selfish interests are served by forestalling such change"
You’ve done it again, Brian. You made me think, you made me laugh, and thanks to Zorro (a lovely being!) I now have BORDER COLLIE/DOG as a political schema.
"Weird" works because the level of the American public education. Kamala would bore her audiences to death if she spent a speech listing how Trumpism ticks off every box defining fascism.
Of course it’s not just the lack of education at work here but it’s also the attention span of the attention economy that makes “weird” work. Weird is a catchy...interesting word...Fascist is offensive and sounds like name calling unless you define it. We have little time for long complex definitions.
If we were all listening closely and carefully to our radios as Americans did when FDR defined fascism and the dangers of it, that would be a different-undistracted attending.
Well done, Brian. BTW, is Zorro a schema (a lovely schema at that!) or is Zorro a metaphor? One additional thought: typos or malapropisms blunt the edge of any sword. Shoving Marist ideas up a numb skull (possessed, I would assume, only by a numbskull) wouldn’t appear to be painful unless, of course, the skull in question is attached to the body of a boorish malcontent. Did the author of your quoted email intend himself as the target?
The populists decry supposed left-wing bastardization of language re political correctness. I think they are so confident in that the left is “wrong” on this front, they take a whole lot of liberties with these terms and often get away with it. I think they actually have a point in some cases that language policing goes too far and stifles creativity and freedoms in some cases.
But those attempts to alter language from the left, at least as far as I can tell, come from an earnest attempt at clarifying/improving how language interacts with real-world societal outcomes and justice. These are attempts to reduce suffering and improve the world. Unfortunately, others on the left then sometimes enforce such suggested language changes in somewhat authoritarian manner, trying to one-up people by calling out microagressions etc. i think if we cleaned up the latter, the post truth bullshit might lose its legs a little.
I've been haunted by Politics and the English Language since I encountered it in the 60s and have long argued that the horror of 1984 isn't really Big Brother but the way he uses NewSpeak to alter perceptions. This phenomenon has been around along time: consider Tacitus quoting an enemy of Rome "They make a desert and call it peace." The Vietnam era was awash in this sort of crap.
In the late sixties I had a student who was bright and generally a good writer: he got mostly A's and high B's. One time he turned in a dreadful thing, clearly not bothering to put any thought into it. I gave it a C. When I turned the papers back he leaped up in my face and yelled "You Communist." I asked him if he had any clue what a communist was. He sank back; clearly for him it was just a swear word.
And it has stayed so, along with Marxist and Socialist (which even Bernie uses incorrectly--he's a social democrat.) What using it does is show the ignorance of the speaker. And, of course, Marx had non-political ideas too, which changed how people viewed history. Leave out the Hegelian "dialectical" idea and it seems obvious now that material events and needs affect history. The American Frontier arose from material needs, not from exhortations of Great Men, and few now deny that: it is a very Marxian idea.
The left has had a few zingers that have left them open to attack: Defund the Police is a stupid slogan because it is trying to USE a word with a pretty accepted meaning to mean something much more subtle. And "Black Lives Matter" left itself open to criticism because it lacks the critical point--Black Live Matter Too. It is a reminder, not a matter of identity politics.
I love "weird" but I agree with those who say that it shouldn't be used as an attack on GOP voters. It should be used for the POLICIES or whacko statements by leaders (looking at you, JD) and done with an interrogative tone. "Isn't it weird that Vance thinks childless people have no stake in America" or "trump's lack of understanding about how tariffs work is really weird, isn't it? With that caveat, it is a GREAT response--it isn't flat out derogatory, but raises questions and can't be as easily brushed off as "evil" or "deplorables."
Your analogy with dog breeds is just great to illustrate the hierarchies in language! As is your handsome dog.
Another great piece. Thank you, Brian. It’s frustrating here (CA) to be immersed in double speak and intentionally (many times) distorted definitions. It’s hard to fight back.
I’m totally on board with definitions, “the beginning of wisdom” according to Socrates and “you can’t reason without them” according to Robert Pirsig (“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”).
So, when it comes to “Marxism”, as in the economic and political theories proposed by Karl Marx, in the history of the world has there ever been a truly Marxist government? Curious minds want to know.
Weird is a weird choice. Considering how MAGA has adopted other slurs as affectation (diapers come to mind) weird seems to be low hanging fruit. They could be “Wierd and Wonderful” “Weird and Funny” “Weird and Wild”. What is it about weird that doesn’t turn them into “Cheese Heads” (another slur turned into affectation)? Although I would personally prefer 30 day campaigns with bullet point policy lists; if you have to have 2 year horse races with party hats, I’d like to see a MAGA cap with a propeller.
I don't think "weird" is meant to be a permanent vocab choice — anyway, it shouldn't be. "Weird" has many potential meanings, and as you note, much depends on the vibe of the delivery. As a joke, that particular word will cease to be funny in a few days. But the basic observation about Republicans, and the attitude with which Democrats deliver it, will remain potent. Pointing out MAGA weirdness can remain funny too if the humor is kept original and fresh. Late-night comedians have found ways to do it for a decade. The question is whether Democratic politicians can also leverage a sharp tongue, while keeping their cool, to reveal important truths about fascism and present themselves as a better alternative. If MAGA is weird in a million ways, there should be ten million ways to call it out.
To clarify my personal preference, it would be direct democracy with ranked choice voting for open primaries and general elections but my hope is that would be a more serious effort at identifying quality candidates and leaders than the current “party” atmosphere.
If the President who lost the election directs hundreds of followers to march to the Capitol while Congress is voting to validate election results, pipe bombs and weapons cache are planted, they break into the building, bludgeon and kill police, chant to hang the VP while carrying a noose, chase legislators into an ante chamber, all while fake electoral college voters are waiting in the wings. Then scores of the intruders are subsequently convicted (including of seditious conspiracy) - then I'm going to call it a COUP attempt.
I realize that the military was not involved, nevertheless, I will call it a coup attempt no matter how idiotic you think I look.
The section on coups in this article is about Republicans calling Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for president a “coup.” The events prior to the January 2021 inauguration of Biden is classified by many political scientists not as a coup attempted but as an attempted auto-coup or attempted self-coup: https://clinecenter.illinois.edu/coup-detat-project/statement_dec.15.2022
My apologies. Upon review I misread your description of the 'most famous coup'. I skimmed too much and jumped to conclusions.
As far as auto-coup or attempted self-coup, I would add that it appears that Sen. Grassley and other legistors were involved to some degree on 1/6. As I suspect was the VP's Secret Service detail - but alas, all of their texts were conveniently destroyed.
Yup! Thank you for the explainer - eloquent, concise, and so TRUE! They have also conflated “conservative” with “Trump supporter”… no true conservative would do what Trump is doing. I would be pissed off if I were a conservative, because now “conservative” means “illiberal”. As in Orban.
"Illiberal", precisely. Edmund Burke and de Maistre were conservatives.
trump? Orban? They are to Conservatism as a Lada resembles a Rolls-Royce (hey, both do have 4 wheels).
"Every country has the government it deserves. "
- Joseph de Maistre
I'm worried that America is about to achieve de Maistre's comment.
" The Right thinks that our country already has a moral identity, and hopes to keep that identity intact. It fears economic and political change, and therefore easily becomes the pawn of the rich and powerful-- the people whose selfish interests are served by forestalling such change"
--Richard Rorty, Achieving Our Country
We are about to get the government we deserve. The one headed by President Harris.
Lovely dog! I agree on the other points too, fwiw.
You’ve done it again, Brian. You made me think, you made me laugh, and thanks to Zorro (a lovely being!) I now have BORDER COLLIE/DOG as a political schema.
"Weird" works because the level of the American public education. Kamala would bore her audiences to death if she spent a speech listing how Trumpism ticks off every box defining fascism.
Of course it’s not just the lack of education at work here but it’s also the attention span of the attention economy that makes “weird” work. Weird is a catchy...interesting word...Fascist is offensive and sounds like name calling unless you define it. We have little time for long complex definitions.
If we were all listening closely and carefully to our radios as Americans did when FDR defined fascism and the dangers of it, that would be a different-undistracted attending.
This is the good stuff, Brian.
Simpletons that they tend to be, MAGATs hate democracy because it almost spells Democrat.
Well done, Brian. BTW, is Zorro a schema (a lovely schema at that!) or is Zorro a metaphor? One additional thought: typos or malapropisms blunt the edge of any sword. Shoving Marist ideas up a numb skull (possessed, I would assume, only by a numbskull) wouldn’t appear to be painful unless, of course, the skull in question is attached to the body of a boorish malcontent. Did the author of your quoted email intend himself as the target?
Beautiful dog! I love your writings; have been emailing to friends. Julie Foxhoven
Always a pleasure to read, thank you!
The populists decry supposed left-wing bastardization of language re political correctness. I think they are so confident in that the left is “wrong” on this front, they take a whole lot of liberties with these terms and often get away with it. I think they actually have a point in some cases that language policing goes too far and stifles creativity and freedoms in some cases.
But those attempts to alter language from the left, at least as far as I can tell, come from an earnest attempt at clarifying/improving how language interacts with real-world societal outcomes and justice. These are attempts to reduce suffering and improve the world. Unfortunately, others on the left then sometimes enforce such suggested language changes in somewhat authoritarian manner, trying to one-up people by calling out microagressions etc. i think if we cleaned up the latter, the post truth bullshit might lose its legs a little.
Cheers!
I love it when you bring out the scathing sass and indomitable wit.
I've been haunted by Politics and the English Language since I encountered it in the 60s and have long argued that the horror of 1984 isn't really Big Brother but the way he uses NewSpeak to alter perceptions. This phenomenon has been around along time: consider Tacitus quoting an enemy of Rome "They make a desert and call it peace." The Vietnam era was awash in this sort of crap.
In the late sixties I had a student who was bright and generally a good writer: he got mostly A's and high B's. One time he turned in a dreadful thing, clearly not bothering to put any thought into it. I gave it a C. When I turned the papers back he leaped up in my face and yelled "You Communist." I asked him if he had any clue what a communist was. He sank back; clearly for him it was just a swear word.
And it has stayed so, along with Marxist and Socialist (which even Bernie uses incorrectly--he's a social democrat.) What using it does is show the ignorance of the speaker. And, of course, Marx had non-political ideas too, which changed how people viewed history. Leave out the Hegelian "dialectical" idea and it seems obvious now that material events and needs affect history. The American Frontier arose from material needs, not from exhortations of Great Men, and few now deny that: it is a very Marxian idea.
The left has had a few zingers that have left them open to attack: Defund the Police is a stupid slogan because it is trying to USE a word with a pretty accepted meaning to mean something much more subtle. And "Black Lives Matter" left itself open to criticism because it lacks the critical point--Black Live Matter Too. It is a reminder, not a matter of identity politics.
I love "weird" but I agree with those who say that it shouldn't be used as an attack on GOP voters. It should be used for the POLICIES or whacko statements by leaders (looking at you, JD) and done with an interrogative tone. "Isn't it weird that Vance thinks childless people have no stake in America" or "trump's lack of understanding about how tariffs work is really weird, isn't it? With that caveat, it is a GREAT response--it isn't flat out derogatory, but raises questions and can't be as easily brushed off as "evil" or "deplorables."
Your analogy with dog breeds is just great to illustrate the hierarchies in language! As is your handsome dog.
Another great piece. Thank you, Brian. It’s frustrating here (CA) to be immersed in double speak and intentionally (many times) distorted definitions. It’s hard to fight back.
Brian,
I’m totally on board with definitions, “the beginning of wisdom” according to Socrates and “you can’t reason without them” according to Robert Pirsig (“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”).
So, when it comes to “Marxism”, as in the economic and political theories proposed by Karl Marx, in the history of the world has there ever been a truly Marxist government? Curious minds want to know.
Thanks,
John
Weird is a weird choice. Considering how MAGA has adopted other slurs as affectation (diapers come to mind) weird seems to be low hanging fruit. They could be “Wierd and Wonderful” “Weird and Funny” “Weird and Wild”. What is it about weird that doesn’t turn them into “Cheese Heads” (another slur turned into affectation)? Although I would personally prefer 30 day campaigns with bullet point policy lists; if you have to have 2 year horse races with party hats, I’d like to see a MAGA cap with a propeller.
I don't think "weird" is meant to be a permanent vocab choice — anyway, it shouldn't be. "Weird" has many potential meanings, and as you note, much depends on the vibe of the delivery. As a joke, that particular word will cease to be funny in a few days. But the basic observation about Republicans, and the attitude with which Democrats deliver it, will remain potent. Pointing out MAGA weirdness can remain funny too if the humor is kept original and fresh. Late-night comedians have found ways to do it for a decade. The question is whether Democratic politicians can also leverage a sharp tongue, while keeping their cool, to reveal important truths about fascism and present themselves as a better alternative. If MAGA is weird in a million ways, there should be ten million ways to call it out.
To clarify my personal preference, it would be direct democracy with ranked choice voting for open primaries and general elections but my hope is that would be a more serious effort at identifying quality candidates and leaders than the current “party” atmosphere.
Weird works because, in attempting to deny it, you seem weird. If they embraced it, it would lose its power. So far, that hasn’t happened.
If the President who lost the election directs hundreds of followers to march to the Capitol while Congress is voting to validate election results, pipe bombs and weapons cache are planted, they break into the building, bludgeon and kill police, chant to hang the VP while carrying a noose, chase legislators into an ante chamber, all while fake electoral college voters are waiting in the wings. Then scores of the intruders are subsequently convicted (including of seditious conspiracy) - then I'm going to call it a COUP attempt.
I realize that the military was not involved, nevertheless, I will call it a coup attempt no matter how idiotic you think I look.
The section on coups in this article is about Republicans calling Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate for president a “coup.” The events prior to the January 2021 inauguration of Biden is classified by many political scientists not as a coup attempted but as an attempted auto-coup or attempted self-coup: https://clinecenter.illinois.edu/coup-detat-project/statement_dec.15.2022
My apologies. Upon review I misread your description of the 'most famous coup'. I skimmed too much and jumped to conclusions.
As far as auto-coup or attempted self-coup, I would add that it appears that Sen. Grassley and other legistors were involved to some degree on 1/6. As I suspect was the VP's Secret Service detail - but alas, all of their texts were conveniently destroyed.
Thank you. Words matter.