Why is there hostility towards centrists on social media?

I see sheep · 14-10-2022 03:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119741965#Comment_119741965

Blair and Clinton's ideology was braindead at best and messed the world up in a lot of ways.

thegame983 · 14-10-2022 03:58PM

If you don't conform to a far left mindset you are labeled far right. It's meaningless.

EmmetSpiceland · 14-10-2022 04:05PM

I’ve always thought “centrist” was just a euphemism for people who are too ashamed of their right leaning views. People saying things like ‘oh, I’d be socially left but economically right’. As if to apologise and say I’m not all bad.

These people seem to spend an awful lot of time “explaining”, or defending, their opinions. Would be a lot easier for them to just own them and move on. Instead, there’s just a lot of backtracking and getting upset.

CGI_Livia_Soprano · 14-10-2022 04:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119744521#Comment_119744521

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119506979#Comment_119506979

If you can hear the dogwhistle then you are the dog.

lol you’re so proud of your little catchphrase. It’s unfortunate then that it doesn’t make any sense, since we’re not actually talking about actual whistles for actual dogs.

“Dog whistling” refers to people using coded language to hide the insidiousness of their messages. If you don’t think that happens take a look at this video:

https://youtu.be/04QolIvfQEw

People hiding behind “saleable” language happens all the time online. “I’m not a racist I just have questions about multiculturalism,” “It’s not like I hate gays getting married I’m just traditional,” “I’m not transphobic I just don’t think they should use our changing rooms.”

It’s happening all the time and Centrist useful idiots just love to fall for it and repeat it. They’re the ones who say they’re neither right or left. Meanwhile they endlessly parrot coded right-wing talking points without a second thought. Dopes.

14-10-2022 04:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119742710#Comment_119742710

In my opinion they think for themselves, which doesn't chime with your assessment.

Overheal · 14-10-2022 04:34PM

I wasn’t aware centrists were under attack. Rather I spend more time getting called extremist labels on the left or the right depending than I do getting attacked for being ‘centrist’ I dare say that’s not something I encounter out there or see much of either. The closest thing I can think of is people who begrudge fence sitting at election time.

14-10-2022 04:37PM

I consider myself "non aligned" meaning I don't chain myself to any particular ideology or political party. Capitalism and Socialism both have their positives and negatives. As do *most* opposing ideologies.

Does that make me a centrist?

14-10-2022 05:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119744521#Comment_119744521

Great analysis. I think too that there can be a strong element of people simply being unable to handle others being able to have a panoramic view rather than possessing their tunnel vision tendencies. They resent that they aren't as capable of critical thinking (and indeed of not possessing as much emotional intelligence) and it frustrates them that someone can be so much more objective, hence "pick a side" or "you're either with us or against us".

14-10-2022 05:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119744761#Comment_119744761

Yes.

14-10-2022 05:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119744556#Comment_119744556

No, actual centrists.

sekiro · 14-10-2022 05:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119744590#Comment_119744590

So how would you define a "centrist"? Or are you saying there is no such thing?

My take away so far is that centrists are just right wingers in disguise but that sort of proves the OPs point, I think.

What happens if I am very much left on a range of issues but not on others? Automatically right wing? Something in between?

Would TERFs be a good example as they are Radical Feminists and Transphobic at the same time?

Or are things like Transphobia and Homophobia etc not exclusively right wing?

Larbre34 · 14-10-2022 05:37PM

Centrists like me get a hostile treatment on social media, because we always win.

We're pragmatists, we do deals, we get the job over the line.

Some extremists live their whole lives without ever seeing their politics taking power, because they refuse to compromise.

People like me are quite happy to see them sitting out on the wings cooling their heels to spite themselves while we get on with running the place. And they resent that. Hence the hostility.

14-10-2022 05:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119743552#Comment_119743552

Despite the differences between social media and offline, social media is still a massive arena for public discourse (and yes, there are indeed differences - the main one being the receipt by some of a well deserved black eye for speaking to people face to face the way they do so online) and questioning certain patterns that you notice does not mean requiring validation for one's self confidence.

14-10-2022 05:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745014#Comment_119745014

And TERFs are regularly socialist and heavily involved with gay rights (for decades) as well as feminist.

Larbre34 · 14-10-2022 06:02PM

TERF is a term only an extremist would use.

QED.

14-10-2022 06:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745192#Comment_119745192

There are radical feminists who are transphobic though. But yes, the term gets thrown at anyone who disagrees with the preposterous redefining of women, and who challenge the odious pricks who tell women they're bigots for this.

Overheal · 14-10-2022 06:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745192#Comment_119745192

Dave Chapelle is an extremist?

Larbre34 · 14-10-2022 06:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745214#Comment_119745214

Does he use the term TERF?

Then yes.

CGI_Livia_Soprano · 14-10-2022 06:30PM

“I’m not transphobic I just don’t want women redefined.” 🙄🙄🙄 Like that even means anything.

Overheal · 14-10-2022 06:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745282#Comment_119745282

He describes himself as one…

Larbre34 · 14-10-2022 06:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745320#Comment_119745320

Thats just silly then.

I've no problem with the term transphobia/transphobe to describe the difference between the pro/against trans rights /recognition groupings.

But those people opposing the sidelining of women's hard fought rights as a consequence are not radical and far from exclusionary.

TERF is a stupid term, used by stupid people and it doesn't deserve any oxygen, even from the likes of Chapelle.

gameoverdude · 14-10-2022 06:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119743016#Comment_119743016

So you're saying centrist are the bisexuals of the political world?

One eyed Jack · 14-10-2022 07:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745351#Comment_119745351

It’s not the worst comparison - bisexuals too tend to get the worst of both sides pointing out that they want the best of both worlds 😂

14-10-2022 07:29PM

@Larbre34 "But those people opposing the sidelining of women's hard fought rights as a consequence are not radical and far from exclusionary" - well a number are in fairness. I see the really transphobic ones on Twitter - they're horrible. Very nasty and cruel. They hate men in general - even giving gay men a hard time. They treat all trans people as perverts. They do NO favours for those of us who simply refuse to accept the pretence that biology doesn't matter when it comes to sports and prisons, and that gender (an idea) over-rides sex.

But yes, those men who think they're so right-on, and tell women what to think women are or else they're bigots... mansplaining, misogynistic scum.

14-10-2022 08:48PM

Centrists can think for themselves. They see no contradiction in being pro LGBT and pro a tough stance on crime for example. They follow their reasoning and logic. Extremists by contrast, whether left or right, follow dogmatism on all theories according to their chosen side. No thought required.

Danzy · 14-10-2022 09:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119744597#Comment_119744597

That's a video of the 2nd last leader of a British party to be formally brought up on bigotry.

Not surprisingly Nick Griffin endorsed Corbyn, he considered him sound on the Jewish question.

They both would be hard in centrists.

Danzy · 14-10-2022 09:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119745960#Comment_119745960

This all day long.

You work with others on common ground, scream at them on the disagreements, and have dinner, pints and a laugh after.

Dogmatism is painful, increasingly pretentious and always boring.

14-10-2022 09:58PM

I have never changed my politic. I was left of centre. Then left moved and I was centre. Then left became more and I was right of centre😲.

Now left moved again and suddenly I am fascist?

I never moved

Danzy · 14-10-2022 10:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119746291#Comment_119746291

The modern left hate each other more than anyone, everyone is suspect, turning, quasi fascist, a prole etc etc.

14-10-2022 10:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119742032#Comment_119742032

Well, said notion is the standard pot shot - "you're just old!" There must be some truth to it. I used to be that dumb pain in the hole who decided anything that wasn't ultra liberal was right-wing and bigoted. Then I grew up, and learned to listen to people.

Why is there hostility towards centrists on social media?

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