In literary criticism, an idiot plot is one which is "kept in motion solely by virtue of the fact that everybody involved is an idiot",[1]: 26 and where the story would quickly end, or possibly not even happen, if this were not the case.[2] It is a narrative where its conflict comes from characters not recognizing, or not being told, key information that would resolve the conflict, often because of plot contrivance. The only thing that prevents the conflict's resolution is the character's constant avoidance or obliviousness of it throughout the plot, even if it was already obvious to the viewer, so the characters are all "idiots" in that they are too obtuse to simply resolve the conflict immediately.
Why are we even debating whether John McWhorter, Glenn Loury, Naomi Wolf, and Sherman Alexie are Nazis on this site? It feels almost shameful to even humor the Kabas Katz Klan by tangentially associating the idea of Nazis with some of the most accomplished, obviously-not-Nazi people who have ever written things on the Internet.
Dec 27, 2023·edited Dec 27, 2023Liked by Michaela McKuen
Because it is part of their identity. They gain social approval from their peer group in being seen to condemn "obvious" hate. Echo chambers provide a facsimile of life, with fewer immediate downsides.
The main downside of an echo chamber is you are slow to notice when the light has moved on. And it has. The Substack owners have endorsed free speech. The emotive shouting technique is less effective here, at least for now.
They are one-trick ponies. And their time is up. Long live freedom of expression.
Because it is part of their identity. They gain social approval from their peer group in being seen to condemn "obvious" hate. Echo chambers provide a facsimile of life, with fewer immediate downsides.
The main downside of an echo chamber is you are slow to notice when the light has moved on. And it has. The Substack owners have endorsed free speech. The emotive shouting technique is less effective here, at least for now.
They are one-trick ponies. And their time is up. Long live freedom of expression.
Plus they’re part of the Cult.
It is a cult at this stage.
Those that must need to virtue signal, should be thanked for announcing their lack of virtue.
I am not sure if it is courageously stupid to publicly proclaim their lack of virtue or if it is stupidly courageous.
Either way, it is a service for the rest of us.
So,
Thanks for the warning!