This weekly roundup thread is intended for all culture war posts. 'Culture war' is vaguely defined, but it basically means controversial issues that fall along set tribal lines. Arguments over culture war issues generate a lot of heat and little light, and few deeply entrenched people ever change their minds. This thread is for voicing opinions and analyzing the state of the discussion while trying to optimize for light over heat.
Optimistically, we think that engaging with people you disagree with is worth your time, and so is being nice! Pessimistically, there are many dynamics that can lead discussions on Culture War topics to become unproductive. There's a human tendency to divide along tribal lines, praising your ingroup and vilifying your outgroup - and if you think you find it easy to criticize your ingroup, then it may be that your outgroup is not who you think it is. Extremists with opposing positions can feed off each other, highlighting each other's worst points to justify their own angry rhetoric, which becomes in turn a new example of bad behavior for the other side to highlight.
We would like to avoid these negative dynamics. Accordingly, we ask that you do not use this thread for waging the Culture War. Examples of waging the Culture War:
-
Shaming.
-
Attempting to 'build consensus' or enforce ideological conformity.
-
Making sweeping generalizations to vilify a group you dislike.
-
Recruiting for a cause.
-
Posting links that could be summarized as 'Boo outgroup!' Basically, if your content is 'Can you believe what Those People did this week?' then you should either refrain from posting, or do some very patient work to contextualize and/or steel-man the relevant viewpoint.
In general, you should argue to understand, not to win. This thread is not territory to be claimed by one group or another; indeed, the aim is to have many different viewpoints represented here. Thus, we also ask that you follow some guidelines:
-
Speak plainly. Avoid sarcasm and mockery. When disagreeing with someone, state your objections explicitly.
-
Be as precise and charitable as you can. Don't paraphrase unflatteringly.
-
Don't imply that someone said something they did not say, even if you think it follows from what they said.
-
Write like everyone is reading and you want them to be included in the discussion.
On an ad hoc basis, the mods will try to compile a list of the best posts/comments from the previous week, posted in Quality Contribution threads and archived at /r/TheThread. You may nominate a comment for this list by clicking on 'report' at the bottom of the post and typing 'Actually a quality contribution' as the report reason.

Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
ICE Needs Better Uniforms
Everyone's in favor of immigration enforcement until the masked goons in unmarked SUVs show up. Are a lot of these complaints pretextual? Sure. But it is hard to deny that ICE looks unprofessional. Law enforcement must command respect, or failing that, fear. Why are they in camo pants? Are they hunting illegals from covered positions with tranquilizer darts like deer? Such attire projects weakness. Our officers must be dignified, projecting the full power and majesty of the federal government, the greatest instituion God ever gave man.
There is an idea in the water supply that cool uniforms are fascism. People are far too afraid of ever doing anything that the Nazis might also have done. Still, aesthetics that conjure images of 1930s Germany are to be avoided (that means you Greg). I propose looking back even further for inspiration. 1914 was the last time regular armies in battle uniform looked cool. This sort of style would both pay homage to the heritage that the DHS Twitter account seems to think it is protecting, and project an aura of seriousness and respect.
Because it's 2026, I have created a small album of AI-generated concept art. Feel free to offer your own suggestions.
Ugh, just because ICE agents wear what makes them feel confident and comfortable doesn’t give anyone else the right to judge and shame them. They wear their outfits for themselves, not for you and your Gaze. They can celebrate their bodies how they like. Their clothing; their choice.
ICE agents could wear distinct, regal uniforms and leftists would shriek that they look like Nazis, LARPers, black ops paramilitary. ICE agents could wear something more casual and leftists would shriek that they look like LARPers, black ops paramilitary, and Nazis.
Suppose I were anti-ICE and believed ICE are Nazis. Given how well German WWII soldiers and their Hugo Boss uniforms were received by women in occupied lands such as France, I wouldn’t want to give ICE any ideas as to outfitmaxxing.
I am continually impressed by your ability to write the exact same comment every single time regardless of the subject matter, a talent you share with @SecureSignals.
Actually, now that I type it out, I'm curious what his take would be.
I would be impressed if you’d be able to identify such an “exact same comment every single time regardless of the subject matter,” but to the extent you flail and fail I’d be amused.
You only post about how women are terrible. Even on a discussion about men doing law enforcement you manage write a comment mocking women.
The word misogynist is horrendously overused, but in your case I think it is fitting.
Fearhating women is the mindkiller.I'd say he made a good attempt at humor and correctly summed up what the argument of lipstick feminists would be if it was a uniformed organization mainly consisting of women that'd be the one criticized for its looks.
Also, I'm somewhat of a misogynist myself, but I'd ask you to differentiate "women" from "lipstick feminists".
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link