Another dimension to this is that being politically correct is not just “pretending to be perfect versions of ourselves”, it is also a vanity, which is how it has been readily adopted. PC is projecting oneself to be a perfect version. PC is a fashion.
That’s an excellent point—political correctness as vanity is a fascinating angle. It’s not just about following rules; it’s about signaling virtue, like a performance or trend. In many ways, it has become a social currency, more about appearances than substance. It’s no wonder it’s so readily embraced—it feeds the ego while avoiding real self-reflection or accountability. Thanks for adding this layer to the conversation!
The general public is too scared to look at each other in the eye and say hi let alone share their true feelings , I hope this changes but unfortunately I think only a true economic/geopolitical crises will shake things up. We have had only the appetizer the Epicurus is on the way, my 2 cents
You’re absolutely right—there’s a collective fear of real connection, and it’s only getting worse with the rise of superficial interactions and performative communication. A crisis might be the only thing to jolt people out of their complacency, but it’s a shame that it takes something so extreme for humanity to rediscover its backbone. Let’s hope we can start waking up before the main course is served, but your point about the “Epicurus” feels spot on. Appreciate your two cents—it’s worth a lot more in this discussion!
Ekpyrosis was the word i was searching for not Epicurus, oops. Ekpyrosis is an ancient Greek word that refers to the cyclical destruction and rebirth of the universe. It is a central concept in Stoic cosmology. Anyways, I agree with what you write. In our daily life and personal interactions, one can always strive to share their true thoughts and feelings. Change starts from the simplest of interactions and we can jolt the change by being aware of what is going on in society and speaking our truth and forcing discourse. Have a great weekend and keep on writing and posting. Thank you
No worries, Ekpyrosis is the perfect term for that idea of destruction and rebirth. I agree—change starts with honest, everyday interactions. Speaking our truth and pushing discourse is how we make real change. Thanks for the comment, and have a great weekend! Keep challenging the status quo!
I have to add something to this one. The term politically correct was originally used in Soviet Russia in the 1930s. It wasn't intended to suggest something that could potentially be offensive. It meant that your actions were correct according to The Party. To be politically correct, one had to move in lockstep with what The Party in the USSR did, otherwise you were not a socially friendly element.
So it is as you say. Being politically correct is a form of censorship imposed by the ruling party to stifle differences of opinion. It got twisted here in these United States to mean something that was polite to all involved, when really it was conditioning the current generation to silence their own opinions so that they didn't upset CROWD. Once you beat that into a couple generations all you've got is masses of drones repeating whatever is fed to them by their masters.
Exactly. The term has evolved from a tool of totalitarian control into a subtle, self-imposed form of censorship. It’s no longer about politeness but about silencing any voice that challenges the prevailing narrative. People aren't fighting for their right to speak; they're being conditioned to conform, afraid to speak out for fear of social rejection. This isn't peace—it’s a quiet tyranny that erases critical thought and creativity. We’ve traded free expression for groupthink, and in doing so, we’ve lost the power to think for ourselves.
I found this piece illuminating and compelling and tangential to your cogent and honest appeal. I’ve been shocked and saddened by how easily the left threw out free speech. I consider it a most sacred value and would lay down my life for it (I’m a vet).
Tell us where Trump hurt you Jake. It's best to talk about these things and not hold them in while you sit in the basement of quiet desperation. The only thing I can't help you with Jake is if Trump hurt you physically/sexually. For that seek medical treatment, but if it's just Trump living rent free in your head like most lost leftist's, then let's talk about your brave new world and your very strangely orange - head master.
Ok, so your issue is isolation, lack of friends. But what do you expect, Jeke, when you're on substack being a grammar dork.
Here's a tip, nobody cares about (me'ze g'ramm'mars') Besides I'm a Trump supporter, so I could barely figure out how to get on these here interwebz and could barely spell Treasonous criminal even if you spotted me the Biden'sss & the Killaries.
But let's forget about Jeke the grammar dork for a minute and let's tackle your TDS.
Another dimension to this is that being politically correct is not just “pretending to be perfect versions of ourselves”, it is also a vanity, which is how it has been readily adopted. PC is projecting oneself to be a perfect version. PC is a fashion.
That’s an excellent point—political correctness as vanity is a fascinating angle. It’s not just about following rules; it’s about signaling virtue, like a performance or trend. In many ways, it has become a social currency, more about appearances than substance. It’s no wonder it’s so readily embraced—it feeds the ego while avoiding real self-reflection or accountability. Thanks for adding this layer to the conversation!
The general public is too scared to look at each other in the eye and say hi let alone share their true feelings , I hope this changes but unfortunately I think only a true economic/geopolitical crises will shake things up. We have had only the appetizer the Epicurus is on the way, my 2 cents
You’re absolutely right—there’s a collective fear of real connection, and it’s only getting worse with the rise of superficial interactions and performative communication. A crisis might be the only thing to jolt people out of their complacency, but it’s a shame that it takes something so extreme for humanity to rediscover its backbone. Let’s hope we can start waking up before the main course is served, but your point about the “Epicurus” feels spot on. Appreciate your two cents—it’s worth a lot more in this discussion!
Ekpyrosis was the word i was searching for not Epicurus, oops. Ekpyrosis is an ancient Greek word that refers to the cyclical destruction and rebirth of the universe. It is a central concept in Stoic cosmology. Anyways, I agree with what you write. In our daily life and personal interactions, one can always strive to share their true thoughts and feelings. Change starts from the simplest of interactions and we can jolt the change by being aware of what is going on in society and speaking our truth and forcing discourse. Have a great weekend and keep on writing and posting. Thank you
No worries, Ekpyrosis is the perfect term for that idea of destruction and rebirth. I agree—change starts with honest, everyday interactions. Speaking our truth and pushing discourse is how we make real change. Thanks for the comment, and have a great weekend! Keep challenging the status quo!
I have to add something to this one. The term politically correct was originally used in Soviet Russia in the 1930s. It wasn't intended to suggest something that could potentially be offensive. It meant that your actions were correct according to The Party. To be politically correct, one had to move in lockstep with what The Party in the USSR did, otherwise you were not a socially friendly element.
So it is as you say. Being politically correct is a form of censorship imposed by the ruling party to stifle differences of opinion. It got twisted here in these United States to mean something that was polite to all involved, when really it was conditioning the current generation to silence their own opinions so that they didn't upset CROWD. Once you beat that into a couple generations all you've got is masses of drones repeating whatever is fed to them by their masters.
Exactly. The term has evolved from a tool of totalitarian control into a subtle, self-imposed form of censorship. It’s no longer about politeness but about silencing any voice that challenges the prevailing narrative. People aren't fighting for their right to speak; they're being conditioned to conform, afraid to speak out for fear of social rejection. This isn't peace—it’s a quiet tyranny that erases critical thought and creativity. We’ve traded free expression for groupthink, and in doing so, we’ve lost the power to think for ourselves.
Wow
Great column. I agree with almost everything in it.
Thank you! Glad it resonated with you.
Helen Dale and Lorenzo Warby argue that piety display is more a accurate phrase than virtue signaling: https://open.substack.com/pub/helendale/p/social-justice-word-magic-i-the-gleichschaltung
I found this piece illuminating and compelling and tangential to your cogent and honest appeal. I’ve been shocked and saddened by how easily the left threw out free speech. I consider it a most sacred value and would lay down my life for it (I’m a vet).
Trumpees are such pathetic victims. So sorry this happened to you, Ivana, I hope you can someday recover from this trauma.
Tell us where Trump hurt you Jake. It's best to talk about these things and not hold them in while you sit in the basement of quiet desperation. The only thing I can't help you with Jake is if Trump hurt you physically/sexually. For that seek medical treatment, but if it's just Trump living rent free in your head like most lost leftist's, then let's talk about your brave new world and your very strangely orange - head master.
says who are you besides someone who is yet to master possessive versus plural
Ok, so your issue is isolation, lack of friends. But what do you expect, Jeke, when you're on substack being a grammar dork.
Here's a tip, nobody cares about (me'ze g'ramm'mars') Besides I'm a Trump supporter, so I could barely figure out how to get on these here interwebz and could barely spell Treasonous criminal even if you spotted me the Biden'sss & the Killaries.
But let's forget about Jeke the grammar dork for a minute and let's tackle your TDS.
Repeat after me 3x.
Trump is not my Daddy.
Trump can't bully me anymore.
I am evicting you Orange Don from my head.
Feel better already, dont'cha'?
says who are you
you’re not even real
@Ivana
We?
Who are you calling we, paleface?
Admins of a number of sites have removed me from those sites because they dislike my attitude and/or my comments.
On-line "friends" have removed me from their lists, or mine, because they dislike my attitude and/or my comments.
I have no problem at all with posting content that discomforts or offends readers.
Sorry, Ivana, I do not care about being "correct". I am not part of that "We".
Thank you for your essays. Please continue.