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"The left" encompasses both progressives and liberals. Liberalism is very civil and tolerant, while progressivism is strident and intolerant. It would be somewhat surprising to see violence coming from liberals, but not surprising from progressives.

Also, conventional blowback theory would predict more violence from the right, if that's the side being marginalized by the institutions, especially if violence is being allowed against them. However, we were in a strange place where the side holding power also believed they were the ones being oppressed.

Chris Liss 3mo ago

I don't know -- most individuals of any political stripe won’t commit violence until things get really dire but A LOT of people were really intolerant of opposing views or at least condoned intolerance to the point where they wouldn’t stand against it even if it were done to a friend of theirs.

Think the majority of people just believe not what is true, but what is beneficial in their social and professional spheres. And when there is enough capture and detachment from real-world feedback, when they become absolutely convinced of their righteousness and the evils of those who disagree, you get violence.

If the right gets power in the institutions and starts to view itself as superior and righteous, there would be a reversal IMO. And it is interesting, as you point out, the dynamic of being in power and oppressed. Only possible in a cult.

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Discussion

Undisciplined 3mo ago

Have you heard Michael Malice's theory that most people don't have minds, in any meaningful sense.

It's similar to your description of "beliefs" being entirely due to conformity.

The right will obviously use violence once in power. Traditionally, they use violence to prevent social change, while progressives use violence to advance change. Liberals are the weirdos who don't like violent enforcement of their preferences.

Chris Liss 3mo ago

I haven’t heard of it, but I know people like that! I always wonder the extent to which some people are pot committed to the tribe, right or wrong, from the start and the extent to which some actually know better.