Jeremy Stangroom

Thus, I've started paying more attention. At the same time I was becoming more aware of many things about stances of the "new atheist" area, in US specifically, with which I used to identify (in GB/IT). 3/n

Instances of B and C (alarm bells!) became very common. Added with: D: the odd alliance/flirting with anti-Islamic and/or anti-Palestine positions. E: the teaming together of various intellectuals in that area. F: my growing understanding of how much the status quo sucks. 4/n

Multiply the same pattern enough times, and system2 aligned more and more with system1. Now, I do introspect a lot, so I can talk about it. Many won't. But it's possible that my journey is common. 5/n

Not only does he not challenge the status quo, he celebrates it (Better Angels). Citing metrics of improvement is fine but it doesn't erase growing inequality, he benefits. Doesn't make him a monster, just your average shitheel. People naturally want to maintain their advantages.

I guess many of us are shitheels from that perspective -- we have and enjoy fine things (good food, cars, nice toys, not to mention education, housing, and sanitation) that many around the world lack.

I'm guilty. But I think we need to try to constantly remind ourselves of implicit bias, if we only interact with those who share those advantages we are blind to it.

. Living in a working-class district of a Greek city I get reminders of this everyday. Do I do enough about it? No. Given my awareness level, that probably makes me a much greater shitheel than Pinker.