I can only see fragments of what is happening (that is a part of the human condition), but what I see is very discouraging. It seems that chaos and hatred are being magnified on many fronts. In other cases, I see a development of pinched souls in many friends and acquaintances.

Chaos and hatred

Humanity has long had mob violence as an aspect of mob psychology. This may have ancient roots far preceding our species (witness shark feeding frenzies, massed baboon attacks, etc.), but humans have added both more dangerous weapons and, even more dangerously, various Intellectuals and leaders who both excuse and encourage it. This is not unique to our times, but past examples are not encouraging. It is not unique to the political left or the right, but “extremes” seem to foster it.

I hesitate to address motivation. I often do not fully understand my own motivations for things I do or say or avoid doing or saying. It is my observation that often, when we ascribe motivations to others, we are projecting some of our worse motivations onto others. That having been (necessarily) said, I think that hubris and power are two factors. “I have these beautiful ideas and now is the chance to put them into practice!” The French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, the rise of Nazism in Germany, the Cultural Revolution in China, the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia and many others are examples of violent upheavals that consumed most of their initial cheerleaders and leaders (along with many, many more). The survivor who comes out on top is usually the most cynical and bloodthirsty thug and “the people” end up suffering far more than they were under the previous system. Of course, it is always “different this time.”

I have friends and family who are of the left and friends and family who are of the right. In too many cases their on-line presence is marked by extreme hatred of the other side. I see few efforts at trying to convert their opponents, rather they are dehumanized and degraded. That being said, there are some who state their support for one side or the other but try to maintain friendships despite differences – they are to be commended.

Pinched souls

By this I mean a couple of things, but basically greed. The variant I see most often in the social paradise of Belgium where I live much of the time. I often run into people who want very much to preserve their socialized system while greatly limiting the scope. Since we live in the part of Belgium called Flanders (Dutch speaking), this takes the appearance of deeply resenting the Walloons (the French speakers) who are “corrupt and lazy, living off of the hard work of the Flemish.” I hear them also denigrating the (exaggerated) lack of socialized systems in the USA and emphasizing the need for solidarity with the weaker elements of society. This solidarity too often only includes other Flemish, not the Walloons and most certainly not the foreigners living in Belgium (citizenship is not a factor).

The second variant is similar to the first in that it is defensive – I need to protect what is mine and my family’s. This seems to be widespread in the Western world (I do not have recent experience in Asia or Africa) and expresses itself often as hostility to immigrants – illegal most strongly, but legal ones as well. They are seen as taking jobs away from citizens and when they are not doing that, taking resources from the social system which rightly belong to locals. This is not totally an unrealistic view, especially in those either with low-skilled jobs or needing social assistance themselves (or who recognize that they may need it in the future). This thought pattern is only strengthened by the recognition that they are held in contempt by many of the “elites” who gain (as a class if not as individuals) by the cheaper labor of immigrants but who claim the moral high ground.

Of course, the elites can be pinched in their own way. They use zoning laws to keep their neighborhoods “safe” and their schools better. They strongly support the environment, but the “green” infrastructure is too unsightly to be built where they can see it, it should be built where land is cheaper – where the poorer live. They want to force people to use public transportation but seem incapable of making it so attractive that they would want to use it as well.

How does all this tie together?

This is, in essence, a plea to act more civilly and to call out those on your side who do not act civilly. It is easy (and ineffective) to point out the faults of the others while excusing your own and those of your side. I am certainly neither the first nor the most exemplary person to offer this advice. I know how good it can be to feel righteous indignation; I usually try to keep it internal so as to avoid embarrassing myself. I am old enough to have learned that when angry I am not eloquent in any language and that my effective IQ is cut at least in half.