I'm just about smart enough to understand what you write.
I'm probably not smart enough to add anything sensible.
However: "[the] battle between the autonomous individual and the elite-led group ..." I get the context for this statement, but must a group necessarily be elite-led? Granted, groups are usually led by a leader (duh), but elite? I fall squarely into the individually inclined camp myself, but I'm perfectly, pragmatically willing to band together with the other malcontents on order to get at the overreaching bastards!
You make a very fair point, Walter, highlighting something of a sloppy presentation by me of this particular point. The 'elite group', although a minority of the population, operates as though it's perceptions are unarguably right, and demonizes 'the others'. It usually does not seek to argue its case but, rather, asserts its ideas as 'self-evidently true'.
"... as though it's perceptions are unarguably right, and demonizes 'the others'. It usually does not seek to argue its case but, rather, asserts its ideas as 'self-evidently true'."
Exactly this! And their goals are never 'political'; it's just 'common decency' or 'basic human rights'. The dishonesty is infuriating!
I've seen Matt Goodwin on YouTube -- he's a good man.
I'm just about smart enough to understand what you write.
I'm probably not smart enough to add anything sensible.
However: "[the] battle between the autonomous individual and the elite-led group ..." I get the context for this statement, but must a group necessarily be elite-led? Granted, groups are usually led by a leader (duh), but elite? I fall squarely into the individually inclined camp myself, but I'm perfectly, pragmatically willing to band together with the other malcontents on order to get at the overreaching bastards!
You make a very fair point, Walter, highlighting something of a sloppy presentation by me of this particular point. The 'elite group', although a minority of the population, operates as though it's perceptions are unarguably right, and demonizes 'the others'. It usually does not seek to argue its case but, rather, asserts its ideas as 'self-evidently true'.
For statistics on this phenomenon, check out Matt Goodwin's Substack https://substack.com/@mattgoodwin
"... as though it's perceptions are unarguably right, and demonizes 'the others'. It usually does not seek to argue its case but, rather, asserts its ideas as 'self-evidently true'."
Exactly this! And their goals are never 'political'; it's just 'common decency' or 'basic human rights'. The dishonesty is infuriating!
I've seen Matt Goodwin on YouTube -- he's a good man.
Have a nice week!
Agreed! You, too, have a happy and prosperous week.
I really appreciate your thoughtful comments.