Memes (Ideas), that embolden the acceptance of "thought crimes"

[icehorse]

This is yet another whack at criticizing a set of ideas that seem to be popular in the same crowds. (As an aside, all of my attempts so far to label these crowds have been soundly rejected, so we continue to be left with a cumbersome conversational anchor.)

The ideas I'm thinking about include: critical race theory, identity politics, "privilege", intersectionality theory, micro-aggressions, trigger warnings (gone mad), safe spaces, and so on.

While I was reading the article below, it struck me that one thing all of these ideas / memes have in common is that they - either directly or indirectly - support the idea that society should be able to punish its citizens for thought crimes... even unconscious ones!!! Friggin' Yikes!!

I Am Not a Racist, And So Are You

 

[WalterTrull]

I tried to read the link. I really did. A glaze forms over my eyes whenever I read "meme" though. That's probably it.

 

[icehorse]

I tried to read the link. I really did. A glaze forms over my eyes whenever I read "meme" though. That's probably it.

I struggled with what word to use - would "ideas" have been more palatable?

 

[WalterTrull]

I struggled with what word to use - would "ideas" have been more palatable?

"Ideas" is good; "palatable" is iffy.

 

[David T]

Bob Dylan sang about this in the 60s" it's alright ma." I will post the lyrics and red the phrases I allude to! But really it's a big finger to people wanting him to be something they wanted. After highlighting certain verses I decided hell the whole thing could be highlighted. Also this has the same type of structure flow and delivery as rap. It's keroac that way.

1. Darkness at the break of noon
   Shadows even the silver spoon
   The handmade blade, the child's balloon
   Eclipses both the sun and moon
   To understand you know too soon
   There is no sense in trying
   Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
   Suicide remarks are torn
   From the fool's gold mouthpiece
   The hollow horn plays wasted words
   Proves to warn that he not busy being born
   Is busy dying
   Temptation's page flies out the door
   You follow, find yourself at war
   Watch waterfalls of pity roar
   You feel to moan but unlike before
   You discover that you'd just be
   One more person crying
   So don't fear if you hear
   A foreign sound to your ear
   It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing
   As some warn victory, some downfall
   Private reasons great or small
   Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
   To make all that should be killed to crawl
   While others say don't hate nothing at all
   Except hatred
   Disillusioned words like bullets bark
   As human gods aim for their mark
   Made everything from toy guns that spark
   To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
   It's easy to see without looking too far
   That not much is really sacred
   While preachers preach of evil fates
   Teachers teach that knowledge waits
   Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
   Goodness hides behind its gates
   But even the president of the United States
   Sometimes must have to stand naked
   An' though the rules of the road have been lodged
   It's only people's games that you got to dodge
   And it's alright, Ma, I can make it
   Advertising signs that con you
   Into thinking you're the one
   That can do what's never been done
   That can win what's never been won
   Meantime life outside goes on
   All around you
   You lose yourself, you reappear
   You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
   Alone you stand with nobody near
   When a trembling distant voice, unclear
   Startles your sleeping ears to hear
   That somebody thinks they really found you
   A question in your nerves is lit
   Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
   Insure you not to quit
   To keep it in your mind and not fergit
   That it is not he or she or them or it
   That you belong to
   Although the masters make the rules
   For the wise men and the fools
   I got nothing, Ma, to live up to
   For them that must obey authority
   That they do not respect in any degree
   Who despise their jobs, their destinies
   Speak jealously of them that are free
   Do what they do just to be nothing more than something they invest in
   While some on principles baptized
   To strict party platform ties
   Social clubs in drag disguise
   Outsiders they can freely criticize
   Tell nothing except who to idolize
   And then say God bless him
   While one who sings with his tongue on fire
   Gargles in the rat race choir
   Bent out of shape from society's pliers
   Cares not to come up any higher
   But rather get you down in the hole that he's in
   But I mean no harm nor put fault
   On anyone that lives in a vault
   But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him
   Old lady judges watch people in pairs
   Limited in sex, they dare
   To push fake morals, insult and stare
   While money doesn't talk, it swears
   Obscenity, who really cares
   Propaganda, all is phony
   While them that defend what they cannot see
   With a killer's pride, security
   It blows the minds most bitterly
   For them that think death's honesty
   Won't fall upon them naturally
   Life sometimes must get lonely
   My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
   False gods, I scuff
   At pettiness which plays so rough
   Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
   Kick my legs to crash it off
   Say okay, I have had enough
   What else can you show me
   And if my thought-dreams could be seen
   They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
   But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only
   Songwriters: Bob Dylan
   It's Alright, Ma lyrics ©

 

[Jumi]

Don't worry, EU will handle your memes.

Memes 'will be banned' under new EU copyright law, warn campaigners