I was like you once (though better perhaps, because I did it earlier) but then I transcended such egocentric pseudo-virtue and reached the true apex of apolitical virtue: faith respecting apologetic detachment.
The critical turning point was when I realized that naive Thing-following of the part of the masses was actually a critical element in the cohesiveness of our civilization. By ignoring Things, and emotionally disengaging from naive Blue/Green loyalty I was actually subtly defecting on the constituent civic elements of our goodarchy for the sake of scoring points in a silly meta-political status game.
Tragically, my self modification in this regard was so successful that I could no longer participate in good faith in the hallowed and respectable rallies of the Blues nor could I non-ironically march with the Greens in their enthusiastic chariot parades… even as I now respect both of these activities. However, to authentically respect the rustically charming virtue of my people’s simplistic social forms I have found myself hanging to the side and modestly cheering for the good hearted participants on both sides of this ancient (and ultimately adaptively balancing) social division. Given the realities of inferential distance, I generally fear that if I say too much I might accidentally turn some of these good hearted folk into the sort of cynical and egocentric person that you’ve revealed yourself to be by ostentatiously revealing your ignorance of the Thing while claiming a privileged epistemic position.
However, worry not! You too can support the traditional forms of our goodarchy merely by recognizing that you are unmindfully flawed as I once was. You can join me in being mindfully flawed in a way that minimizes damage to the naive virtue embodied by those who are akin to the pH balanced byproducts of chemical reactions common to our great planet.
However… I would be remiss if I failed to mention that you should give me credit for your newly acquired awareness of your “rationally” induced civic defects. Explaining the sources of one’s virtue is itself a virtue, and I’d clearly be the one who deserves the credit for your virtue, even as I recognize the tragic and accidental circumstances that lead to my ability to be more benevolently prudent than you.
I would like to point out that the position you’re arguing for could reasonably be called meta-Green. The meta-Blue position would be to attempt to destroy the whole Blue-Green political system on the grounds that it’s irrational. As a meta-Green myself, I agree this would be a bad idea, but now that I’ve pointed this out, you should have an easier time marching non-ironically with the Greens.
I must express deeply cynical suspicion that “meta-Greens” are either ① trying desperately to erect a sophisticated, academy-compatible veneer to justify the unjustifiable actions of object-level Greens; or ② as Clever Arguers, rationalizing defenses for their deeply ingrained Green upbringings, which they are not yet enlightened enough to question.
You didn’t tell me anything about the Thing, and mentioned both the greens and blues, therefore I am totally justified in insulting you in any and every way one could possibly imagine, up to including physically violent threats which, due to context, you have agreed will never be admissible evidence in any court of law even if you are later attacked in the specific ways I describe.
Since these insults are your fault, they are in no way indicative of a societal problem surrounding me or similar people but are in fact indicative of problems that You and people you associate with are well known to have always had.
Expression of concern for your mental health and your adherence to prescribed medications. Friendly conviviality deploying a charming mixture of blue and green political shibboleths to deflect the substance of your Thing-related obsession. Flattery of the forum itself and its moderators for their provision of such an open and caring environment. Request for someone who knows him well to visit magfrump to attend to potential mental health needs.
I was like you once (though better perhaps, because I did it earlier) but then I transcended such egocentric pseudo-virtue and reached the true apex of apolitical virtue: faith respecting apologetic detachment.
The critical turning point was when I realized that naive Thing-following of the part of the masses was actually a critical element in the cohesiveness of our civilization. By ignoring Things, and emotionally disengaging from naive Blue/Green loyalty I was actually subtly defecting on the constituent civic elements of our goodarchy for the sake of scoring points in a silly meta-political status game.
Tragically, my self modification in this regard was so successful that I could no longer participate in good faith in the hallowed and respectable rallies of the Blues nor could I non-ironically march with the Greens in their enthusiastic chariot parades… even as I now respect both of these activities. However, to authentically respect the rustically charming virtue of my people’s simplistic social forms I have found myself hanging to the side and modestly cheering for the good hearted participants on both sides of this ancient (and ultimately adaptively balancing) social division. Given the realities of inferential distance, I generally fear that if I say too much I might accidentally turn some of these good hearted folk into the sort of cynical and egocentric person that you’ve revealed yourself to be by ostentatiously revealing your ignorance of the Thing while claiming a privileged epistemic position.
However, worry not! You too can support the traditional forms of our goodarchy merely by recognizing that you are unmindfully flawed as I once was. You can join me in being mindfully flawed in a way that minimizes damage to the naive virtue embodied by those who are akin to the pH balanced byproducts of chemical reactions common to our great planet.
However… I would be remiss if I failed to mention that you should give me credit for your newly acquired awareness of your “rationally” induced civic defects. Explaining the sources of one’s virtue is itself a virtue, and I’d clearly be the one who deserves the credit for your virtue, even as I recognize the tragic and accidental circumstances that lead to my ability to be more benevolently prudent than you.
I would like to point out that the position you’re arguing for could reasonably be called meta-Green. The meta-Blue position would be to attempt to destroy the whole Blue-Green political system on the grounds that it’s irrational. As a meta-Green myself, I agree this would be a bad idea, but now that I’ve pointed this out, you should have an easier time marching non-ironically with the Greens.
I must express deeply cynical suspicion that “meta-Greens” are either ① trying desperately to erect a sophisticated, academy-compatible veneer to justify the unjustifiable actions of object-level Greens; or ② as Clever Arguers, rationalizing defenses for their deeply ingrained Green upbringings, which they are not yet enlightened enough to question.
I must express an objection that you seem to be using cynicism and ad hominem to avoid addressing the substance of my argument.
You didn’t tell me anything about the Thing, and mentioned both the greens and blues, therefore I am totally justified in insulting you in any and every way one could possibly imagine, up to including physically violent threats which, due to context, you have agreed will never be admissible evidence in any court of law even if you are later attacked in the specific ways I describe.
Since these insults are your fault, they are in no way indicative of a societal problem surrounding me or similar people but are in fact indicative of problems that You and people you associate with are well known to have always had.
Expression of concern for your mental health and your adherence to prescribed medications. Friendly conviviality deploying a charming mixture of blue and green political shibboleths to deflect the substance of your Thing-related obsession. Flattery of the forum itself and its moderators for their provision of such an open and caring environment. Request for someone who knows him well to visit magfrump to attend to potential mental health needs.
I’m actually kind of touched by your concern here.