Swindled by authoritarianism

Why our fear of division blinds us to the real threat to democracy

It isn’t the right which is prone to authoritarianism or the left: it’s the middle.

Based on the surveys, centrists offered less support for democracy and more for authoritarianism than both the left and right.

The main reason for this support should be obvious: centrists like when the trains run on time. Centrists are more risk-averse and tension-averse. And because of that, it would seem, that of the three groups, they are least interested in the messiness of democracy. In other words, when democracy gets too messy, centrists are more likely to abandon it.

So what do these two pieces combine to reveal?

FYI. I’m not a Christian. I’m not religious. I just like the way Drew thinks and writes.

Centrism, Leica

Every Saturday, I share a list of inspiring or interesting articles that I read during the week. Here’s what I read this week.

Centrism’s flaw isn’t that it’s apolitical. It’s deeply political and polarizing. Some popular pundits seem to believe centrism offers a morally superior position. And yet it can be incredibly blind to the way it so easily tips the scales away from truth under a false neutrality.

Under such watchful eyes, the only ones whose speech is protected are those willing to take speech from others. The only free are those whose freedom is ensured. And the only ones alive in the end are the revolutionaries. For the gallows don’t care how tired of politics you are.Pastor Drew Downs


Here's what Ken Rockwell had to say about what he calls "Leica man":

Don't fret price when discussing photography issues with a Leica man. He doesn't know or care price; the only thing that concerns him is being the best. The Leica man rarely takes his own pictures. He has others to bother with that for him if he is on holiday. If the Leica man requires art, he has it purchased for him. This is why Leica men don't care about a Leica's picture-taking ability, and get so oddly freaked out if you mention cameras that are better for a fraction of the price. "Better for what?" asks the Leica man. Taking pictures? Who uses cameras to take pictures? Rarely the Leica man. You are personally insulting him and his vastly superior taste should you broach this topic.Ken Rockwell

Every Saturday, I share a list of inspiring or interesting articles that I read during the week. Here’s what I read this week.