Summary of The Origins of Wokeness

  • paulgraham.com
  • Article
  • Summarized Content

    Political Correctness Wokeness Cancel Culture

    The Definition of Political Correctness

    The author defines political correctness and wokeness as "an aggressively performative focus on social justice." This means the emphasis is on outward displays of adherence to social justice principles rather than genuine action, fueled by a kind of moralistic priggishness.

    • Political correctness is not inherently negative; the problem lies in its performative and aggressive nature.
    • The article argues that the focus on social justice itself is not the issue, but rather the manner in which it is expressed.

    The Roots of Political Correctness in the 1980s

    The essay traces the origins of modern political correctness to the 1980s, viewing it as a more aggressive second wave following earlier forms of political correctness. It highlights the role of universities as a breeding ground for this ideology.

    • 1960s student movements laid the groundwork, but lacked the power to fully implement their agendas.
    • The 1970s saw 1960s radicals entering academia, gradually gaining influence and power within universities.
    • Humanities and social sciences provided fertile ground for the injection of political ideologies into academic discourse.

    The Role of Universities in Amplifying Political Correctness

    Universities became pivotal in the spread of political correctness. The author argues that the shift from protest to punishment occurred as 1960s radicals attained tenure and positions of authority, enabling them to enforce their ideologies within universities. This created an environment where students were encouraged to attack professors holding opposing views.

    • The power dynamic shifted, allowing faculty to enforce their beliefs through formal complaints and disciplinary actions.
    • The rise of political correctness is compared to the Cultural Revolution in China, highlighting the element of power dynamics and generational conflict.

    The Evolution of Political Correctness into Cancel Culture

    The article explores how the initial phase of political correctness evolved. The superficial and ever-changing rules created a situation where adherence to orthodoxy became a substitute for actual virtue. This allowed bad actors to exploit the system for their own gain.

    • The lack of other avenues for moralistic expression among the cultural elite contributed to the rise of political correctness as a new target.
    • The rise of social media, especially Twitter and Tumblr, amplified outrage and enabled the formation of cancel mobs, accelerating the spread of wokeness.

    The Role of Social Media and the Press in Spreading Wokeness

    The author analyzes the significant role of social media in the rise of cancel culture. The inherent tendency of social media toward outrage, combined with the ease of mobilizing cancel mobs through group chats, created a perfect storm for spreading wokeness.

    • The increasing polarization of the press, fueled by online publishing and the pursuit of clicks, further amplified the spread of woke ideologies.
    • A new class of administrators emerged whose jobs were centered around enforcing wokeness, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

    The Mechanisms of Wokeness as a "Mind-Virus"

    The article describes wokeness as a "mind-virus," highlighting its ability to rapidly spread by defining ever-changing types of impropriety. This constant shifting of rules creates fear and uncertainty, making people more susceptible to accusations of wrongdoing.

    • The constant invention of new improprieties fuels exponential growth, with initial zealots followed by a larger group motivated by fear of consequences.
    • Organizations without strong leadership are particularly vulnerable to the spread of wokeness, as they readily adopt new "best practices" to avoid accusations of impropriety.

    The Retreat of Wokeness and Strategies for Prevention

    The author notes that wokeness has begun a retreat, citing examples such as corporate rejection, universities reaffirming free speech, and consumer backlash. The article proposes treating wokeness like religion, applying similar rules of engagement to prevent future outbreaks.

    • The author suggests a conscious bias against defining new forms of heresy, placing the burden of proof on those seeking to censor speech.
    • The essay concludes that genuine pluralism is key to preventing future outbreaks of aggressively performative moralism.

    The Enduring Nature of Prigs and the Need for Anti-Heresy Antibodies

    The article recognizes that prigs and aggressively conventional-minded individuals will always exist. The key is to prevent them from aligning behind a single ideology. This requires developing "antibodies" against the concept of heresy itself.

    • The essay advocates for a proactive approach: challenging attempts to define new heresies and placing a high burden of proof on those seeking to restrict speech.
    • The ultimate goal is to prevent the number of things one cannot say from increasing.

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