Bret Weinstein (Evolutionary Biologist) spoke on the Rebel Wisdom you tube channel – talking about why radical leftist social justice and intersectional ideas that seem utterly ludicrous to the vast majority gain traction. Here is the link. How ludicrous ideas gain traction in society
The whole discussion is very worthwhile listening to but here is a portion of what he said.
"You have to realise that it’s a power grab hiding behind a mask of fairness and compassion. There is no real science behind the idea for example, that gender is a social construct and not an inherent biological one but this is what more and more universities and governments and companies are going along with.
The problem is the balance between the collective interest and the individual interest.
Because the weapon being wielded is stigma, (you’re just a hateful bigot), the individual has to ask a question.
An individual who might ideally want to steer their tech company to some sort of middle ground where it deals compassionately with minorities but holds fast to the enlightenment values and scientific perspective, that person has to ask a question.
‘Am I personally ready to suffer the costs of stepping out of line when this power grab (by radical intersectional leftists) is in motion?’
And most people will buckle.
They will say nothing and allow the power grab to take place.
And then, even worse than that, not only does their cowardice cause them to be quiet, but they can’t live with cowardice as an explanation.
So, they will then rationalize that the explanation that they have allowed to take hold is actually right.
People are too afraid of the backlash, the twitter mob, being doxed etc, to speak up. And being ashamed that they didn't speak up, they start lying to themselves in order to make themselves feel better.
And this is causing non-science & non-fact based fictions to spread across the whole landscape of society."
Let's not be cowards, eh? Let's have the courage calmly & politely to push back.
Following a group is very seductive. Taking on thier mantras and opinions reinforces belonging. Who doesn't want to be in a safe group ?
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't want their children to keep their friends and family and remain in the group.
Its built in for us to be tribal, we join many tribes, political, religious, sporting, class and even what we watch East-enders or Emmerdale or both. We are a group joining ape species!
If it wasn't for bacon i would have joined the Vegetarian group already. (That's the porcine type not Francis or Kevin!)
So its not the fear of a backlash alone its the fear of losing a group affiliation that is more important to a person than the evidence based tested (and re-testable) truth.
To achieve this "slight of mind" a permanence is required that can not be challenged. A confidence level so high that doubts crash against this permanence before they can be considered. it starts with the words "Well I believe.... "
I will protect anyone's and everyone's right to believe what ever they want. I will even fight for that right if neccessry. But when it comes to how we govern, educate, nourish and protect the health and well-being of people, then what you happen to believe has no relevance only what you can demonstrate and provide robust testable evidence and/or reasons for should be considered.
Unfortunately that is not possible real life is too complex and challenging peoples beliefs whether it is; which party, which policy, which approach or even which words are right or wrong is too time consuming so we allow it, we accommodate it, we ignore it until it is problematic... It is problematic when a group we re not a member of begins to affect the groups we are in. We are tribal apes... A new tribe that transcends all other groups is needed. One everyone can join "the evidenced based scientific truth group" would be a candidate for me.
Thanks Alex. Much in what you say, as ever!
Delete