Try Not to Get Mad.


"Leftists tend to hate anything that has an image of being strong, good and successful. They hate America, they hate Western civilization, they hate white males, they hate rationality. The reasons that leftists give for hating the West, etc. clearly do not correspond with their real motives. They SAY they hate the West because it is warlike, imperialistic, sexist, ethnocentric and so forth, but where these same faults appear in socialist countries or in primitive cultures, the leftist finds excuses for them, or at best he GRUDGINGLY admits that they exist; whereas he ENTHUSIASTICALLY points out (and often greatly exaggerates) these faults where they appear in Western civilization. Thus it is clear that these faults are not the leftist’s real motive for hating America and the West. He hates America and the West because they are strong and successful."

Theodore Kaczynski

1 Individuals get [inappropriately] involved mass movements when they don't have the esteem to change small things that are immediately around them. Mass movements sell themselves as ways to regain dignity ― or to tear down those with dignity ― and those that feel demoralized or like losers are often drawn to them.

2 People involved in mass movements can torn away. I've seen it happen myself. It's done by empowering them to have some autonomy of their own personal life and to hold their chin up higher: Many will naturally drift away from mass movements after becoming interested in their own life and community (they won't need attachment to movements for an emotional crutch any more). I'm convinced that most people only need a little love and encouragement.

3 Rejecting the world and then trying to burning it down ― Kaczynski's response to his qualms with the world ― is not necessary and I condemn him because of his actions (even if I agree with some of his analysis). Kaczynski's bitterness and pessimism may have been because of his personal life. I don't think he gives the progress modern society has made with producing physical goods the proper respect for the physical pain and the hunger that it has removed. I think that trying to burn the word down gives the mass-movement people a legitimate reason to throw a tantrum.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."

― Matthew 5:38-42