9 out of 10 people (maybe 9.5 in academia?) are inclined to be Havel's Green Grocer and say whatever's demanded of them, whether by rote regurgitation or by becoming a zealous true believer.
Israel has become the modern global Emmanuel Goldstein and it's always good to steer clear of mobs jacked up on hate, even just on principle.
The "genocide" slander is the modern Big Lie, a viral "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" and has become a major driver of the current upsurge of Jew hate. Standing against it is an achievement in itself.
Terrific essay. Thanks for writing it. Just adding my voice to the other positive comments. Being familiar with several of the commentors here, it pleases me greatly to observe that you are attracting a high quality readership. :) :) :)
I fear that Jew hatred is too deeply embedded in Christian and Muslim civilizational DNA, and neither will let go of it. It’s a sort of narcotic almost.
I am glad to have just discovered you through my friend, Richard Landes. And I will be basing a future article for my newer substack newsletter on the Ai piece you linked to here.
It is always sad to realize that that so often the people that talk highly of freedom of speech and academic freedom are exactly the same people that rush to silence with threats anyone who dare disagree with them, or present them with facts that they do not like. We often flutter ourselves by believing that society has advanced so much since the middle ages. However, times like the present reveal the sad truth. While the church and god were largely replaced with modern theories and slogans, the policy towards anyone who refuses to follow the dogma has remained as bad as ever, and fostering hatred towards Jews is still a common way to make people blindly follow the flag.
That's more or less what happened to me in 2015 when I told friends (and twin brother) I had voted for Trump because I thought our current trade and immigration policies were hurting working-class Americans. Instead of TDS now we have ZDS
It's not an insult. It is simply Hebrew for nation or nations, so, of course, when we speak another language, we use that language's term for nation or nations. The Bible refers to the nation of Israel itself at times as a 'goy', as in "I shall make you a great and powerful nation (goy)".
I and many other people certainly want to combat the rising tide. But we want to contribute without becoming targets ourselves. How to do this, I don't know.
and if this kind of intimidation is felt so far from the Middle East, imagine the fears of journalists if they contradict Hamas' narratives. (not that they have to cooperate so enthusiastically)
I salute your courage!
9 out of 10 people (maybe 9.5 in academia?) are inclined to be Havel's Green Grocer and say whatever's demanded of them, whether by rote regurgitation or by becoming a zealous true believer.
Israel has become the modern global Emmanuel Goldstein and it's always good to steer clear of mobs jacked up on hate, even just on principle.
The "genocide" slander is the modern Big Lie, a viral "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" and has become a major driver of the current upsurge of Jew hate. Standing against it is an achievement in itself.
Cheers!
I’m so happy I found your work. It makes me feel less alone in the world. Thank you for speaking up for us!
Terrific essay. Thanks for writing it. Just adding my voice to the other positive comments. Being familiar with several of the commentors here, it pleases me greatly to observe that you are attracting a high quality readership. :) :) :)
I fear that Jew hatred is too deeply embedded in Christian and Muslim civilizational DNA, and neither will let go of it. It’s a sort of narcotic almost.
Thank you for your great work 💯🙏
I am glad to have just discovered you through my friend, Richard Landes. And I will be basing a future article for my newer substack newsletter on the Ai piece you linked to here.
Great article. Very much looking forward to your book!
Keep up the good work, Maarten.
It is always sad to realize that that so often the people that talk highly of freedom of speech and academic freedom are exactly the same people that rush to silence with threats anyone who dare disagree with them, or present them with facts that they do not like. We often flutter ourselves by believing that society has advanced so much since the middle ages. However, times like the present reveal the sad truth. While the church and god were largely replaced with modern theories and slogans, the policy towards anyone who refuses to follow the dogma has remained as bad as ever, and fostering hatred towards Jews is still a common way to make people blindly follow the flag.
That's more or less what happened to me in 2015 when I told friends (and twin brother) I had voted for Trump because I thought our current trade and immigration policies were hurting working-class Americans. Instead of TDS now we have ZDS
I hope your mom ripped that sanctimonious pecksniff a new one.
Excellent piece.
Nobody can affirm and spread lies without, sooner or later, believing in them.
BTW none of my Jewish friends and acquaintances ever use the word goy or goyim.
It's not an insult. It is simply Hebrew for nation or nations, so, of course, when we speak another language, we use that language's term for nation or nations. The Bible refers to the nation of Israel itself at times as a 'goy', as in "I shall make you a great and powerful nation (goy)".
Watch out! The mob is coming to a town near you soon.
I and many other people certainly want to combat the rising tide. But we want to contribute without becoming targets ourselves. How to do this, I don't know.
and if this kind of intimidation is felt so far from the Middle East, imagine the fears of journalists if they contradict Hamas' narratives. (not that they have to cooperate so enthusiastically)