regina-georg:

So, you know how trans activists are constantly insisting that so-called “terfs” are Nazis or fascists?  Well I’m in a trolling mood, so just for fun, lets compare the contemporary trans movement to Umberto Eco’s fourteen-point definition of fascism.  How many characteristics of fascism does trans activism share?

• “The Cult of Tradition" characterized by cultural syncretism,
  even at the risk of internal contradiction. When all truth has already
  been revealed by Tradition, no new learning can occur, only further
  interpretation and refinement. This point is debatable I guess, depending on your definition of “tradition.” The contemporary trans movement certainly relies on a rigid dogma from which “no new learning can occur,” but it’s not necessarily tied to nostalgia and it’s certainly not a form of nationalism.
  
• “The Rejection of Modernism”
  which views the rationalistic development of Western culture since the
  Enlightenment as a descent into depravity. Eco distinguishes this from a
  rejection of superficial technological advancement, as many fascist
  regimes cite their industrial potency as proof of the vitality of their
  system. Like other post-modernist movements the contemporary trans movement absolutely rejects modernism and reason while embracing and even glorifying new technologies that serve its purposes.  This one is pretty open and shut.
  




• “The Cult of Action for Action’s Sake” which dictates that action
  is of value in itself, and should be taken without intellectual
  reflection. This, says Eco, is connected with anti-intellectualism and irrationalism, and often manifests in attacks on modern culture and science. The same as the previous point. Contemporary trans activism is based in post-modern queer theory, which rejects science and reason as tools of oppression. Contemporary trans activism promotes an ethos of “action for action’s sake,” by celebrating violence, disruptive spectacle, and constant struggle, and by discouraging critical thinking and introspection.
  




• “Disagreement Is Treason” Fascism devalues intellectual discourse
  and critical reasoning as barriers to action, as well as out of fear
  that such analysis will expose the contradictions embodied in a
  syncretistic faith. Contemporary trans activists circulate “terf” block lists and try to suppress “terf” rhetoric because they know that their ideology is internally contradictory, and they fear that it will collapse under critical scrutiny.
• “Fear of Difference” which fascism seeks to exploit and exacerbate,
  often in the form of racism or an appeal against foreigners and
  immigrants. Despite the racism of some trans activists, contemporary trans activism does not rely on racism or xenophobia, so this point doesn’t really match up.  However, contemporary trans activism absolutely relies on the demonization of marginalized out-groups, especially lesbians.
  




• “Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class” fearing economic pressure from the demands and aspirations of lower social groups. Contemporary trans activism does not rely on an economic appeal.  However, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that alienated, downwardly-mobile, middle class white males are its primary constituents.
  




• “Obsession with a Plot” and the hyping-up of an enemy threat. This often combines an appeal to xenophobia
  with a fear of disloyalty and sabotage from marginalized groups living
  within the society. This point is pretty obvious.  Contemporary trans activism is obsessed with a non-existent “terf” conspiracy.  The movement also promotes an extremely paranoid worldview, teaching its followers that everyone is out to get them and encouraging an unhealthy hyper-vigilance about trivial things like “misgendering.”
  




• Fascist societies rhetorically cast their enemies as “at the same
  time too strong and too weak.” On the one hand, fascists play up the
  power of certain disfavored elites to encourage in their followers a
  sense of grievance and humiliation. On the other hand, fascist leaders
  point to the decadence of those elites as proof of their ultimate
  feebleness in the face of an overwhelming popular will.  See the “terf” conspiracy.  Contemporary trans activism promotes the idea that its followers are under constant existential threat from powerful and dangerous “terfs,” while simultaneously crowing about how ugly, uncool, unpopular and politically marginalized “terfs” supposedly are.
  




• “Pacifism is Trafficking with the Enemy” because “Life is Permanent Warfare”
  – there must always be an enemy to fight. This is evidenced by the fact that contemporary trans activism can never be satisfied and must constantly move the goalposts to maintain a state of permanent struggle.  No matter how much trans activists claim to want to eliminate “terfs,” they need “terfs” to oppose them in order to justify their movement’s existence.  If every single woman on earth acquiesced to all of their demands, they would still never be satisfied.  No level of submission will ever be enough to make peace with them, because they don’t actually want peace.
  




• “Contempt for the Weak” which is uncomfortably married to a chauvinistic popular elitism,
  in which every member of society is superior to outsiders by virtue of
  belonging to the in-group.  Contemporary trans activism resembles a cult, in this respect.  Followers are encouraged to believe that their edgy haircuts and obscure micro-identities make them morally superior to the unenlightened “cis” masses. 
  




• “Everybody is Educated to Become a Hero” which leads to the embrace of a cult of death.
  As Eco observes, “the Ur-Fascist hero is impatient to die. In his
  impatience, he more frequently sends other people to death.” The contemporary trans movement aggressively promotes and glamorizes mental illness, self-harm, and suicide as markers of authenticity and righteous victimhood.  In turn, trans activists’ fixation on their own supposed victimhood is used to justify their victimization of others. 
  




• “Machismo” which sublimates the difficult work of permanent war and
  heroism into the sexual sphere. Fascists thus hold “both disdain for
  women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits,
  from chastity to homosexuality."  The contemporary trans movement is intensely misogynistic and homophobic.  Among the straight male leaders of the movement, it’s easy to see a kind of machismo in drag.  Despite the superficial trappings of femininity such as makeup and clothing, most male trans activists exhibit stereotypical masculine behaviors, including aggression, sadism, narcissism, sexual entitlement, emotional fragility, and contempt for weakness.
  




• "Selective Populism” – The People, conceived monolithically, have a
  Common Will, distinct from and superior to the viewpoint of any
  individual. As no mass of people can ever be truly unanimous, the Leader
  holds himself out as the interpreter of the popular will (though truly
  he dictates it). Fascists use this concept to delegitimize democratic
  institutions they accuse of “no longer represent[ing] the Voice of the
  People.” While the contemporary trans movement lacks a single Leader who can speak for everyone in it, it does have a small vanguard that dictates its Common Will.  The contemporary trans movement conceives of its constituents as a monolith who all share the same interests and dogmatic opinions.  Any trans-identified person who rejects this dogma is smeared as an enemy and often said to be “not really trans.”
  




• “Newspeak” – Fascism employs and promotes an impoverished vocabulary in order to limit critical reasoning.  This point speaks for itself.  One of the most obvious features of contemporary trans activism is its heavy use of obnoxious jargon and its aggressive sloganeering and cult-like repetition of thought-terminating clichés.
  

regina-georg:

So, you know how trans activists are constantly insisting that so-called “terfs” are Nazis or fascists?  Well I’m in a trolling mood, so just for fun, lets compare the contemporary trans movement to Umberto Eco’s fourteen-point definition of fascism.  How many characteristics of fascism does trans activism share?

• “The Cult of Tradition" characterized by cultural syncretism,
  even at the risk of internal contradiction. When all truth has already
  been revealed by Tradition, no new learning can occur, only further
  interpretation and refinement. This point is debatable I guess, depending on your definition of “tradition.” The contemporary trans movement certainly relies on a rigid dogma from which “no new learning can occur,” but it’s not necessarily tied to nostalgia and it’s certainly not a form of nationalism.
  
• “The Rejection of Modernism”
  which views the rationalistic development of Western culture since the
  Enlightenment as a descent into depravity. Eco distinguishes this from a
  rejection of superficial technological advancement, as many fascist
  regimes cite their industrial potency as proof of the vitality of their
  system. Like other post-modernist movements the contemporary trans movement absolutely rejects modernism and reason while embracing and even glorifying new technologies that serve its purposes.  This one is pretty open and shut.
  




• “The Cult of Action for Action’s Sake” which dictates that action
  is of value in itself, and should be taken without intellectual
  reflection. This, says Eco, is connected with anti-intellectualism and irrationalism, and often manifests in attacks on modern culture and science. The same as the previous point. Contemporary trans activism is based in post-modern queer theory, which rejects science and reason as tools of oppression. Contemporary trans activism promotes an ethos of “action for action’s sake,” by celebrating violence, disruptive spectacle, and constant struggle, and by discouraging critical thinking and introspection.
  




• “Disagreement Is Treason” Fascism devalues intellectual discourse
  and critical reasoning as barriers to action, as well as out of fear
  that such analysis will expose the contradictions embodied in a
  syncretistic faith. Contemporary trans activists circulate “terf” block lists and try to suppress “terf” rhetoric because they know that their ideology is internally contradictory, and they fear that it will collapse under critical scrutiny.
• “Fear of Difference” which fascism seeks to exploit and exacerbate,
  often in the form of racism or an appeal against foreigners and
  immigrants. Despite the racism of some trans activists, contemporary trans activism does not rely on racism or xenophobia, so this point doesn’t really match up.  However, contemporary trans activism absolutely relies on the demonization of marginalized out-groups, especially lesbians.
  




• “Appeal to a Frustrated Middle Class” fearing economic pressure from the demands and aspirations of lower social groups. Contemporary trans activism does not rely on an economic appeal.  However, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that alienated, downwardly-mobile, middle class white males are its primary constituents.
  




• “Obsession with a Plot” and the hyping-up of an enemy threat. This often combines an appeal to xenophobia
  with a fear of disloyalty and sabotage from marginalized groups living
  within the society. This point is pretty obvious.  Contemporary trans activism is obsessed with a non-existent “terf” conspiracy.  The movement also promotes an extremely paranoid worldview, teaching its followers that everyone is out to get them and encouraging an unhealthy hyper-vigilance about trivial things like “misgendering.”
  




• Fascist societies rhetorically cast their enemies as “at the same
  time too strong and too weak.” On the one hand, fascists play up the
  power of certain disfavored elites to encourage in their followers a
  sense of grievance and humiliation. On the other hand, fascist leaders
  point to the decadence of those elites as proof of their ultimate
  feebleness in the face of an overwhelming popular will.  See the “terf” conspiracy.  Contemporary trans activism promotes the idea that its followers are under constant existential threat from powerful and dangerous “terfs,” while simultaneously crowing about how ugly, uncool, unpopular and politically marginalized “terfs” supposedly are.
  




• “Pacifism is Trafficking with the Enemy” because “Life is Permanent Warfare”
  – there must always be an enemy to fight. This is evidenced by the fact that contemporary trans activism can never be satisfied and must constantly move the goalposts to maintain a state of permanent struggle.  No matter how much trans activists claim to want to eliminate “terfs,” they need “terfs” to oppose them in order to justify their movement’s existence.  If every single woman on earth acquiesced to all of their demands, they would still never be satisfied.  No level of submission will ever be enough to make peace with them, because they don’t actually want peace.
  




• “Contempt for the Weak” which is uncomfortably married to a chauvinistic popular elitism,
  in which every member of society is superior to outsiders by virtue of
  belonging to the in-group.  Contemporary trans activism resembles a cult, in this respect.  Followers are encouraged to believe that their edgy haircuts and obscure micro-identities make them morally superior to the unenlightened “cis” masses. 
  




• “Everybody is Educated to Become a Hero” which leads to the embrace of a cult of death.
  As Eco observes, “the Ur-Fascist hero is impatient to die. In his
  impatience, he more frequently sends other people to death.” The contemporary trans movement aggressively promotes and glamorizes mental illness, self-harm, and suicide as markers of authenticity and righteous victimhood.  In turn, trans activists’ fixation on their own supposed victimhood is used to justify their victimization of others. 
  




• “Machismo” which sublimates the difficult work of permanent war and
  heroism into the sexual sphere. Fascists thus hold “both disdain for
  women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits,
  from chastity to homosexuality."  The contemporary trans movement is intensely misogynistic and homophobic.  Among the straight male leaders of the movement, it’s easy to see a kind of machismo in drag.  Despite the superficial trappings of femininity such as makeup and clothing, most male trans activists exhibit stereotypical masculine behaviors, including aggression, sadism, narcissism, sexual entitlement, emotional fragility, and contempt for weakness.
  




• "Selective Populism” – The People, conceived monolithically, have a
  Common Will, distinct from and superior to the viewpoint of any
  individual. As no mass of people can ever be truly unanimous, the Leader
  holds himself out as the interpreter of the popular will (though truly
  he dictates it). Fascists use this concept to delegitimize democratic
  institutions they accuse of “no longer represent[ing] the Voice of the
  People.” While the contemporary trans movement lacks a single Leader who can speak for everyone in it, it does have a small vanguard that dictates its Common Will.  The contemporary trans movement conceives of its constituents as a monolith who all share the same interests and dogmatic opinions.  Any trans-identified person who rejects this dogma is smeared as an enemy and often said to be “not really trans.”
  




• “Newspeak” – Fascism employs and promotes an impoverished vocabulary in order to limit critical reasoning.  This point speaks for itself.  One of the most obvious features of contemporary trans activism is its heavy use of obnoxious jargon and its aggressive sloganeering and cult-like repetition of thought-terminating clichés.