• archomrade [he/him]@midwest.social
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    4 months ago

    In this instance I think anti-dem chatter on lemmy is more likely to chill youth turnout than it is to push the Democratic party leftward

    Not any more than protesting or demonstrating do (far, far less, if anything). If voicing dissent against unpopular reactionary policies ends up chilling enthusiasm, it isn’t voicing that dissent that’s doing it, it’s the reactionary policies. We’re not obligated to campaign for democrats or even temper our criticism when they’re defending and holding water for Israel as while they’re slaughtering Palestinians and reducing Gaza to rubble.

    I don’t claim to know what your worldview is but using a weird metaphor about forced sterilization to blame others of enabling reactionary political movements for voicing critique of - checks notes - reactionary democratic policy is certainly not in line with the life of virtue and praxis you’re describing.

    That’s a bummer though, I didn’t know that. I saw they were playing in Iowa in October and was thinking about driving down there for it. The same thing happened when I wanted to see Rage Against the Machine in 2021 - I’m not sure they’ll be going back on tour either.

    • LengAwaits@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      I was trying to be funny and use some hyperbole. I guess I failed, as I so often do. Sometimes exaggerations can help to illustrate a point, and I admit I’ve gotten so used to seeing people on here talk about how voting for dems in 2024 is foolish if you’re a leftist that I just automatically lumped you in with them. I apologize for that.

      I don’t consider myself a particularly virtuous person, if we go by the dictionary definition. I didn’t intend to claim that my actions made me virtuous. The subjective nature of morality would make that rather pointless, anyhow. My discussion of virtue signaling in this case was more about acknowledging that on some level most people engage in performative acts meant to ingratiate themselves to their preferred social group.

      I’ve got nothing to prove here, and I think I’ve made my point as much as I can before we both just start repeating ourselves; That strategy extends beyond the voting booth. I’m going to continue to do what I can in public digital spaces to keep people excited to vote and prevent a second Trump presidency, even if that means I have to tone down my online critique of democrats for a few months. I will continue to critique them in spaces where I can be sure that said critique doesn’t chill voter turnout, though.

      I’ve had a good time discussing this stuff with you, thank you for the interesting conversation, and sorry if I came off as a jerk! I’m going to try to get off of social media for the night, but I’ll probably be on again tomorrow or later in the week if you want to continue to discuss/debate how online discourse can shape elections!

      I hope you get a chance to see BR sometime soon, too! Always a pleasure to find another fan online!