Thanks for writing this Geoff Olson. You have brought more clarity to this than I typically have seen. I am one of the old left who continually scratches his head, wondering how the hell the left, historically more freedom loving than not, have transformed into the new authoritarians. There are a few of us with such views, maybe far more than a few, but we have a lot of trouble getting heard these days.
Years ago Dr. Bob Altmeyer, over at the University of Manitoba, wrote about right wing authoritarianism. He once wrote that he did not need to write about left wing authoritarianism since there was so little of it in Canada. I suspect he only saw what he expected to see, a common human failing. It appears he is now addressing left wing authoritarians, although I have not looked at his more recent writings. He is retired.
Finally, some clarity in a chaotic world where I once used to know what I'm thinking because I had words to describe things ...looking forward to the next one. I have always enjoyed learning new words...schismogenesis indeed. And I might take out a wavership on humanity. It's proven to be more than usually irritating lately...
Excellent piece, Geoff. I think you’d be interested in reading The Madness of Crowds (by Douglas Murray).
Thanks for writing this Geoff Olson. You have brought more clarity to this than I typically have seen. I am one of the old left who continually scratches his head, wondering how the hell the left, historically more freedom loving than not, have transformed into the new authoritarians. There are a few of us with such views, maybe far more than a few, but we have a lot of trouble getting heard these days.
Years ago Dr. Bob Altmeyer, over at the University of Manitoba, wrote about right wing authoritarianism. He once wrote that he did not need to write about left wing authoritarianism since there was so little of it in Canada. I suspect he only saw what he expected to see, a common human failing. It appears he is now addressing left wing authoritarians, although I have not looked at his more recent writings. He is retired.
Kim Goldberg, over in Nanaimo, has written at least two pieces on this topic; here https://kimgoldbergx1.substack.com/p/freedoms-just-another-word?utm_source=%2Fprofile%2F36368655-kim-goldberg&utm_medium=reader2 and here https://kimgoldbergx1.substack.com/p/covid-19-and-the-green-void?utm_source=%2Fprofile%2F36368655-kim-goldberg&utm_medium=reader2 .
Also, New York Activist Mickey Z. (actual name unknown to me) has written about this a number of times, for example here https://mickeyz.substack.com/p/we-need-a-new-word-for-left?utm_source=%2Fprofile%2F35668423-mickey-z&utm_medium=reader2
Finally, some clarity in a chaotic world where I once used to know what I'm thinking because I had words to describe things ...looking forward to the next one. I have always enjoyed learning new words...schismogenesis indeed. And I might take out a wavership on humanity. It's proven to be more than usually irritating lately...