raisedbymoogles | cut for politics

so the Harris campaign's newest strategy is going "why are you so weird?" to their opponents and it seems to be working pretty well! Short, punchy, says what it needs to say. Gets under Vance's skin, even better. I'm... not sure how to feel about it.

I'm weird, y'see. You've probably noticed. I'm weird, my friends are weird, if you're not weird idk what you're doing here to be honest. I'm weird and awkward and off-putting and normal people tend to despise me on sight. I've been trying to practice Radical Acceptance of my weirdness esp. since my diagnosis, but it's not easy some days. So I'm feeling a little bit in the crosshairs of the energy the Dems are putting out right now. pretty sure the point is not to embrace the Mean Girl ethos of 'conformity to what I think is Normal must be strictly enforced', but that's the vibe I get.

but I guess "why are you so evil?" wouldn't have the same punch. TFG's bunch are proud of being evil.

eh, what the hell. I guess the continued preservation of American democracy and possibly the future of the planet is worth some squirmy feelings. Awkward Weirdos for Kamala! We're not the evil kind, promise!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The way I've seen it described (on Tumblr, so correct for context where needed) is this way: people on the conservative side of politics tend to regard "weirdness" as being suspect, putting a high value on social conformity and the ability to blend in with the pack. To them being "weird" is definitely a social solecism and a sin, and something which is outright harmful. Unity and conformity are strength. Being regarded as "evil" by people who don't understand what they stand for is acceptable, because they know they are Right.

Meanwhile, on the progressive side of politics, being "weird" is regarded through a lens of tolerance - if it doesn't hurt anyone else, you're allowed to have colourful hair, differences in sexuality, differences in gender presentation (even within the conventionally accepted gender labels, never mind about outside them), differences in clothing, differences in opinion, and so on. Standing out from the crowd is allowable and acceptable, because on the progressive side of things, diversity is a positive thing - lots of different opinions working together tend to make for more durable and lasting solutions to problems. So the progressive side of politics welcomes the weirdoes, to a degree, because they add a bit of variety to things, and provide another perspective.

So for those on the progressive side of politics, "weird" isn't an insult, where "evil" would be, because people who tend progressive tend to be more interested in doing right than being right. For those on the conservative side of politics, "evil" isn't an insult, but "weird" is, because people who tend conservative tend to be more interested in being right than doing right.

That said... as a fellow (benign) weirdo, I tend to find it a bit uncomfortable myself. It's working... but the reason it's working is because the people it's working on aren't interested in being tolerant of people like me. Call me picky, but I think people won over to the side of tolerance through their own intolerance aren't going to remain there very long.

yeah, it's kinda the same wheelhouse as calling TFG fat and old. if Kamala wins, and the people who find it fun to mock old fat people are in the house... where does that leave old fat Democrat voters?

This is what I posted on bsky:

Look. I know. Several of us took 'weird' away from the bullies and specialized in it. But this isn't about weird as in quirky or eccentric. This is about helping our white bread, think themselves as salt of the earth people to WAKE TF UP and see that what the Rs are is creepy, wrong, and malicious.

But the dollar words like inappropriate, Orwellian, and other politely accurate descriptions are NOT getting that across. Weird is straddling a line of not being too insulting, while being perfectly understandable to the people marching to a fascist's drum.

i get it! honest! still not fond of it though.

I feel that creepy might be a good word.

I hear you.

As a redhead, I'm also really uncomfortable with the "orange" descriptor.

aw hell, i never even thought of that D:

I saw the actual messaging in the wild on Twitter, and it bothered me too. It's disturbing to see this behavior from grown adults, of course, but there was also something else I couldn't put my finger on. You articulated my discomfort perfectly, thank you. It's good to hear someone say this. Good luck to all of us in the coming months, I guess.

lol, the guy who started the whole thing is Harris's VP now, so they really are rolling with it. Good luck indeed.

Yeah... yeah. And usually I'd think the couch thing was funny, but I'm just not feeling it this election cycle. I think I'm going to take up drinking again, at least for the next four months. Maybe I'll get really into reality television, like one of those British baking shows. Maybe I'll follow Marie Kondo on Instagram. Maybe it's finally time for Stardew Valley. 🫠

can recommend Stardew! Esp. if you can play the PC version the way my laptop can't XP

cut for politics

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject