Gen X is last generation to have a widespread interest in democracy as a truly interesting idea capable of opening up new human conditions less expressive political systems cannot get to. Millennials believe/disbelieve in it as a matter of values. Z’s seem to have given up on it
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The democratic disposition is not a saintly or expansively ecumenical disposition. You can freely detest anybody and hold them in deep contempt. You can even be utterly misanthropic and hate everybody and still be democratic spirited. Seeing the humanity in others != liking them
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To be democratic is to recognize that others have as much right to exist as you, despite their flaws (from your POV). As do you, despite all your flaws from their POV. Perfection, perfectibility, or conformity to others’ ideas of goodness/worth is not necessary for you to exist
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This leads naturally to a certain pacifism, a certain tendency to limit your own urges to dominate others, resistance to any impulse towards terminal destruction of others, and minimalism in defense of yourself against such tendencies on the part of others
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Humans are capable of being monsters. Democracy is how you secure your own existence without letting monstrousness in others unleash monstrousness in you. Because seeing others only as monsters, with no humanity, is the beginning of turning into one yourself.
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Don’t be a monster. Don’t let monsters get you. Beyond that... https://twitter.com/vgr/status/1073751685212692480?s=21 …https://twitter.com/vgr/status/1073751685212692480 …
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I personally extend my democratic disposition to all animals, so I’m vegetarian. But I do eat plants. So my generalized principle of democracy is that there are only 3 ways to relate to another living thing: eat it, accept the legitimacy of being eaten by it, or let it vote.
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While I’ll do my best to avoid being eaten by a shark, I accept the possibility as part of the natural order of things. I’m fair game for sharks, potatoes are fair game for me.
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I think this round of conversation is actually confusing to most people. Lol. It’s at moments hard to tell which side of the fence anyone is supporting.
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It's a long thread, but I thought a timely and valid expression of the lack of willingness of many to allow for dissent. Democracy isn't easy, never was meant to be.
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