Your words perfectly describe how horrible politics are now. It now feels as though the void of deliberate distortion comes hurtling through social media every second of every day.
What hurts me most is that rational, fact based discourse is now ‘niche’ and not ‘popular’.
My own family think I’m weird because I care passionately about democracy, global politics and climate change. My own child prefers TikTok snapshots of misinformed influencers. I despair.
We share the same conviction. Punch up, never down. We don’t celebrate violence against individuals, however much we may oppose their politics. Our focus is on exposing the systems, corporations and governments that create climates where this kind of escalation becomes possible.
That is why we didn’t cover Kirk’s assassination this morning. Satire must remain a tool to hold power to account, not to normalise political violence. But like you, we do wrestle with the uncomfortable question of whether sharp words sometimes add to the polarisation. It’s a line we keep under review, because democracy depends on holding it.
I write this in the office of a refugee charity at which I volunteer. I am very aware that there is a barely controlled move towards legitimising extremism and violence in the US sadly the UK and more widely.
The other day I wrote in a reply to you that before every act of violence there has to be an act of detachment. In the case of Kirk he detached himself from civilised society and has suffered the consequences, inflicted by somebody as uncivilised as himself.
Human behaviour with roots in family and tribal behaviours developed far back in the mists of time seem to have an affinity for taking sides. And once taken doubling down on the consequences with growing levels of stubbornness and malevolence.
Add in a framework of political or religious belief and the stage is set for increased dogmatism and the passage to extremism.
Once humanitarianism and civilised values have been beaten down and thrown in the bin resurrecting them is the work of years.
This is such a good piece of thinking and writing- if democracy has any meaning left at all, it has to mean ballots, not bullets. We are facing assassinations, political and criminal, here in South Africa so it really talked to me. Would love to see some of your writing in our Daily Maverick.
Sage words Bear. It's very possible to despise the ideology, even the person, and not rejoice in their loss. I wonder how many people will share your sentiments? Not enough, I fear.
Like you, I found everything Kirk stood for repugnant (at the very least); however, what he deserved was not shooting, but debate and engagement that exposed the lies and propaganda, analytically but also charismatically. He needed to be countered, not killed. His death creates a right-wing 'martyr' (a term already used to describe him by Trump) and will only unleash further violence.
I agree wholeheartedly dear Bear 🐻, and I too am heart sorry for his family and friends. My immediate reaction was to say he deserved it, but after a few minutes of reflection, I put myself in his families position, losing a son, husband, father at such a young age. I've been there, done that, and it's a horrible place to be. My son was 29 when we lost him to cancer, and my heart broke 💔. I was with my son, and it haunts me to this day, 24 years later. His family must be in total shock at seeing it happen in front of them. I hope they get the support they need to help them through.
Politically his views were completely vile to me. But that doesn't mean people should assassinate him. Sending you much love and respect for your humanitarian point of view ❤️ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yet again, a fabulous, thought provoking piece Bear. I read recently about the energy created by hatred and how, when sides oppose each other with hate, the energy is magnified exponentially. Although I believe Kirk’s death could well have been orchestrated to justify a civil war environment, the easiest way to prevent that escalation is, as you say, for Kirk’s opponents to stay calm, share condolences and call for dialogue. Nothing kills violence like calm and presence. Thanks again Bear for reminding us we all need to take responsibility for the world we find ourselves in
Agree. Said as much on SM this morning & got a pile on. We have to be better than them. But then I don’t live in the febrile environment of the States, where guns are everyday & everywhere, thank god! Life must feel cheaper to them somehow? I’d prefer trials & jail & people standing up telling truth to power, but that seems to get rarer these days. Either way, these are dark & dangerous times.
Extremes whichever way you choose cause division and unfortunately often violence. The likes of Farage and his ilk, along with Jenrick are encouraging those who have these views to act on very similar issues. Importing the ideas of Trump as being the correct choice is abhorrent. We are indeed heading towards oblivion if this continues. Many will look at Putin as the aggressor, although he can be seen to stir the pot, it’s going to be the Americans to start the destruction of the world.
Thank you once more for your clear thoughts. Democratic countries have been drawn down a route where true debate has to be categorised with labels for each side rather like a theocracy. Thoughts espoused by each side of what should be a debate are assumed to be all right and not only partly correct so that there is no meeting of minds, only hatred aimed at each other. Any government that admits to having been mistaken and changes policy is immediately vilified for making a U-turn and accused of being unfit to govern. In the UK our Parliament also seems to have forgotten the value of true debate and consensus. My grandchildren seem to be fixated by what they see on social media or look up on AI platforms without pausing to think and form their own reasoned opinions. Perhaps I am just getting old but I do worry about where this is all going. A forthright opinionated speaker rarely makes the best leader of a democracy as he or she doesn't actually take advice from those in a team and rarely wants to admit errors or step aside.
They do it to themselves. Once the fascists start feeling powerful over everyone else, they start on their own, who they perceive as a useful fodder to enact more extreme policies. See Nazi Germany.
Your words perfectly describe how horrible politics are now. It now feels as though the void of deliberate distortion comes hurtling through social media every second of every day.
What hurts me most is that rational, fact based discourse is now ‘niche’ and not ‘popular’.
My own family think I’m weird because I care passionately about democracy, global politics and climate change. My own child prefers TikTok snapshots of misinformed influencers. I despair.
We share the same conviction. Punch up, never down. We don’t celebrate violence against individuals, however much we may oppose their politics. Our focus is on exposing the systems, corporations and governments that create climates where this kind of escalation becomes possible.
That is why we didn’t cover Kirk’s assassination this morning. Satire must remain a tool to hold power to account, not to normalise political violence. But like you, we do wrestle with the uncomfortable question of whether sharp words sometimes add to the polarisation. It’s a line we keep under review, because democracy depends on holding it.
Thoughtful and accurate; I’m also very glad I live in the UK and not the US. Imagine if every one of those flag waving half-wits had a gun… 😬
Exactly right. How I wish I had this ability of forensic analysis. Glad you're here to do it for us.
Good afternoon Bear.
I write this in the office of a refugee charity at which I volunteer. I am very aware that there is a barely controlled move towards legitimising extremism and violence in the US sadly the UK and more widely.
The other day I wrote in a reply to you that before every act of violence there has to be an act of detachment. In the case of Kirk he detached himself from civilised society and has suffered the consequences, inflicted by somebody as uncivilised as himself.
Human behaviour with roots in family and tribal behaviours developed far back in the mists of time seem to have an affinity for taking sides. And once taken doubling down on the consequences with growing levels of stubbornness and malevolence.
Add in a framework of political or religious belief and the stage is set for increased dogmatism and the passage to extremism.
Once humanitarianism and civilised values have been beaten down and thrown in the bin resurrecting them is the work of years.
This is such a good piece of thinking and writing- if democracy has any meaning left at all, it has to mean ballots, not bullets. We are facing assassinations, political and criminal, here in South Africa so it really talked to me. Would love to see some of your writing in our Daily Maverick.
Sage words Bear. It's very possible to despise the ideology, even the person, and not rejoice in their loss. I wonder how many people will share your sentiments? Not enough, I fear.
Like you, I found everything Kirk stood for repugnant (at the very least); however, what he deserved was not shooting, but debate and engagement that exposed the lies and propaganda, analytically but also charismatically. He needed to be countered, not killed. His death creates a right-wing 'martyr' (a term already used to describe him by Trump) and will only unleash further violence.
I agree wholeheartedly dear Bear 🐻, and I too am heart sorry for his family and friends. My immediate reaction was to say he deserved it, but after a few minutes of reflection, I put myself in his families position, losing a son, husband, father at such a young age. I've been there, done that, and it's a horrible place to be. My son was 29 when we lost him to cancer, and my heart broke 💔. I was with my son, and it haunts me to this day, 24 years later. His family must be in total shock at seeing it happen in front of them. I hope they get the support they need to help them through.
Politically his views were completely vile to me. But that doesn't mean people should assassinate him. Sending you much love and respect for your humanitarian point of view ❤️ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yet again, a fabulous, thought provoking piece Bear. I read recently about the energy created by hatred and how, when sides oppose each other with hate, the energy is magnified exponentially. Although I believe Kirk’s death could well have been orchestrated to justify a civil war environment, the easiest way to prevent that escalation is, as you say, for Kirk’s opponents to stay calm, share condolences and call for dialogue. Nothing kills violence like calm and presence. Thanks again Bear for reminding us we all need to take responsibility for the world we find ourselves in
Very well said Rosychipshop🙌👌
Agree. Said as much on SM this morning & got a pile on. We have to be better than them. But then I don’t live in the febrile environment of the States, where guns are everyday & everywhere, thank god! Life must feel cheaper to them somehow? I’d prefer trials & jail & people standing up telling truth to power, but that seems to get rarer these days. Either way, these are dark & dangerous times.
Thank you for this very thoughtful article. I definitely needed to read this to also do some self reflection.
Extremes whichever way you choose cause division and unfortunately often violence. The likes of Farage and his ilk, along with Jenrick are encouraging those who have these views to act on very similar issues. Importing the ideas of Trump as being the correct choice is abhorrent. We are indeed heading towards oblivion if this continues. Many will look at Putin as the aggressor, although he can be seen to stir the pot, it’s going to be the Americans to start the destruction of the world.
Sobering. And a very much needed giant bear portion of nourishing food for thought. Thank you Bear. 🙏🏼✊️🧡
Thank you once more for your clear thoughts. Democratic countries have been drawn down a route where true debate has to be categorised with labels for each side rather like a theocracy. Thoughts espoused by each side of what should be a debate are assumed to be all right and not only partly correct so that there is no meeting of minds, only hatred aimed at each other. Any government that admits to having been mistaken and changes policy is immediately vilified for making a U-turn and accused of being unfit to govern. In the UK our Parliament also seems to have forgotten the value of true debate and consensus. My grandchildren seem to be fixated by what they see on social media or look up on AI platforms without pausing to think and form their own reasoned opinions. Perhaps I am just getting old but I do worry about where this is all going. A forthright opinionated speaker rarely makes the best leader of a democracy as he or she doesn't actually take advice from those in a team and rarely wants to admit errors or step aside.
They do it to themselves. Once the fascists start feeling powerful over everyone else, they start on their own, who they perceive as a useful fodder to enact more extreme policies. See Nazi Germany.