Good piece. I can remember clearly the steep learning curve in trying to learn all of the currents and factions and ever shifting alliances, the behind the scenes discussions in DMs and so forth. I have been honored to have a piece bubble up and find its way into American Mind, and maybe something like that will happen again, although stepping off Twitter has taken me somewhat out of the flow.
The very need for the anonymity, as I have argued on my own Substack, is a sign of human sinfulness at work, that we must clothe ourselves to protect our nakedness. But anonymous discourse has its roots in the earliest movements of modernity. With the introduction of the printing press came the pamphleteers and then direct revolutionary challenge of the power of the church which wielded the mechanisms of the imprimatur and excommunication to limit what could and could not be discussed. It is similar today. Perhaps we are seeing a new reformation?
I think the symbiotic relationship is ok. Anons can’t hate everyone who shows their face and the mainstream can’t have contempt for the people who make the machine work. It’s like Lewis Hamilton and his F1 team. Lewis gets to drive but that’s about 1/10 of the work being done. Always appreciate your introspection Prude, great article
Good piece. I can remember clearly the steep learning curve in trying to learn all of the currents and factions and ever shifting alliances, the behind the scenes discussions in DMs and so forth. I have been honored to have a piece bubble up and find its way into American Mind, and maybe something like that will happen again, although stepping off Twitter has taken me somewhat out of the flow.
The very need for the anonymity, as I have argued on my own Substack, is a sign of human sinfulness at work, that we must clothe ourselves to protect our nakedness. But anonymous discourse has its roots in the earliest movements of modernity. With the introduction of the printing press came the pamphleteers and then direct revolutionary challenge of the power of the church which wielded the mechanisms of the imprimatur and excommunication to limit what could and could not be discussed. It is similar today. Perhaps we are seeing a new reformation?
Blessed are the persecuted, for theirs is the kingdom of God.
Another Prudent Perception
Great piece Prude! Imho you're at your best when you're commenting on our space from birds eye view
He does well as a lurker/guide, I agree.
I think the symbiotic relationship is ok. Anons can’t hate everyone who shows their face and the mainstream can’t have contempt for the people who make the machine work. It’s like Lewis Hamilton and his F1 team. Lewis gets to drive but that’s about 1/10 of the work being done. Always appreciate your introspection Prude, great article
You were kind in using the descriptor 'facelord' as opposed to the more pejorative version of that term
I certainly wouldn't want to call myself a pejorative either.