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Culture War Roundup for the week of January 20, 2025

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I get the impression that a lot of commentors here don't grasp just how unpopular identity politics is in "normie" spaces. In fact, I would say that to call it "unpopular" may be grossly under selling it. Leftists often lament the weakness/lack of class consciousness in the US, that the poor, more often than not, do not see themselves as "exploited" as much as they see themselves as "temporarily embarrassed". However I believe that this is a feature rather than a bug if one wants to live in a society with high trust and social mobility, and one of the things that distinguishes the US from other nations.

I think it’s a fine belief in the instance that you actually aren’t harmed by the misbelief. If you really are exploited, the first step in changing the situation is realizing you’re exploited. Likewise, a belief that identity politics is bad only works when you aren’t being harmed by believing that. If everybody but your group is playing identity politics, you’re not being more noble, you’re simply surrendering the field. If you’re not willing to stand up for your social class if you’re being exploited, you’ll be exploited. Politics, whether you like it or not are a team sport. Five people voting together get what they want. Five people voting separately get nothing.