We ask ourselves why there is so much misinformation and polarization today, but the answer is apparent to anyone paying attention: the toxic combination of arrogance and ignorance.
The Social Media age in the modern West, ubiquitous screens and devices combined with historically unprecedented wealth and safety, has gradually infantilized anyone naive or bored enough to give their life and soul to their algorithm of choice. And reading about the deadly combination of arrogance and ignorance reminded me of who traditionally has worn the crown for having little knowledge but total certitude—teenagers. Teenagers read one book or article or see one movie or show and are ready to denounce anyone within distance, esp mom and dad, who have provided them with everything but failed to make life and the world a utopia of rainbows and unicorns. (I think this also helps explain why in our time adults read comic books, line up to see comic-book movies and save up for trips to theme parks. Why grow up when wallowing in childhood is much more fun?)
But even a society of spoiled brats need meaning and purpose, and they express and display this much like they do their cultural choices: people want simple stories of good and evil with symbols so obvious that no heavy thinking is required. And memes and TikTok videos are designed to meet these needs, providing you an ersatz moral and mental thrill while you're still in your pajamas, where all you have to do is clink the link to feel righteous and wise.
We will gradually transition from Enlightenment liberalism to postliterate postliberalism, from egalitarian universalism (in theory and aspiration) to a rebarbarized tribalism, with only one plank of the old world left intact: Jew hate.
People can live without many things but a Satanic scapegoat seems to be the glue that holds tribes and communities together and the Jew is the ultimate handy hate vessel—you provide the cause, reason, rationale, grievance, wound, utopian quest and the Jew can shape-shift like Proteus to become the embodiment of whatever evil you claim to want to eradicate.
Just think of how much work the Big Bad Jew does for the Palestinians—they get to luxuriate in self-pity like a warm bath, to not worry about feeding or educating their children as this is done by the UN, and best of all, they exist beyond agency and responsibility, there is simply nothing that's their fault. The Palestinians get to be the globe's eternal angry spoiled teen, all thanks to Jewish evil. Arrogance plus ignorance might just be the human default mode, which take education and sophistication to rise above, but these things are becoming more rare by the day.
I experienced just this in a discussion about the Torah’s admonition regarding how we as a nation deal with those here illegally.
My interlocutors were using the phrase, “you shall not oppress the stranger” as a guidepost for addressing illegal aliens. Although well meaning and knowledgeable about the p’shat ( literal statement) , they were ignorant as to biblical exegesis. When I tried to enlighten, my analysis was labeled a “warped reading of the Bible.” I told them pointedly “don’t you dare tell me how to interpret the Hebrew in the Torah according to ancient precepts of exegesis. You’ve never studied the original language, your naive literalness exposes the limits of your understanding.”
I didn’t take offense at their views of aliens or their reference to the Torah. Rather I took offense at their arrogant and ignorant air of superiority that my depth of knowledge was a “warped” one, as opposed to something worthy of discussion. They knew not of what they spoke and doubled down on their ignorance. They polarized rather than dialogue.
And one more factor, our disagreement made me “immoral” rather than “davar archer”
Excellent essay as always. Unfortunately, social media has helped to create these ignorant know nothings. Thinking and doing the actual research takes time, something these social media "warriors" can't be bothered with when given information by the "experts." The words experts and intellectuals has been overused. Ph.D's are given out today like candy, and the same with law degrees. The education system in the US is rife with propaganda. I just read about the Philadelphia School District (which I taught in for many, many years) partnering with CAIR to hold a workshop that will talk about "Jewish political power." As you so rightly said, Joshua, it's a mind virus, and it is spreading in every crevice of American society, which is being allowed by so many in leadership positions. An uneducated citizenry is one that is loved because it's so easily manipulated. I'm a believer in good will prevail over evil and the good guys will win in the end. I hope I'm not proven wrong.
"A non-Jew having an arrogant and ignorant opinion about Israel, Zionism, etc. mistaking their distorted perspective for authority over a story that is not theirs to rewrite."
If anyone knows of an annual contest for best photo caption of the year, Joshua's opening entry to this essay deserves to win it hands down!
Beautifully written. There's a generation, though, Gen Z maybe, now 40 to 50 years old? That was taught not to judge, that everything was relative, gray, nuanced. No black or white, no right or wrong, no tolerable or intolerable. They still have trouble making decisions.
This piece does not suggest that lack of conviction is the answer, but as with everything, there's the down side of not putting a stake in the ground and and standing firmly, especially morally. Courage does require risk - that you might be wrong, that no one can know everything, but a time for choosing can be existential. Conviction isn't always arrogance and certainly should never be based on deliberate ignorance, but a retreat into "who's to say" isn't defensible and just passes the buck.
Don't be afraid to believe and stand for your right to faith, with knowledge and humility. Be prepared to defend your conviction with reason, passion, courage and humility. Then, go, with determination to do what you are willing to defend.
Part of it is that many traditional Christians/Muslims/Communists/etc. don't recognize that Jews are an independent group. They think that we're deviant Christians/Muslims/Communists/etc. and they expect us to recognize that and get back into their ideological straightjackkets.
Lots of truth in this essay. Yet, in democracies, people who have little, if any, knowledge about the issues of the day, vote for presidents, prime ministers me minist
I don't think that Israel/Zionism/Jews as a combined issue is complicated. To me as a Christian it is easy.
My King James Bible inherited from my ancestors 200 years ago has an "Old Testament" that is much longer than "The New Testament." That "Old Testament" is word for word what Jews read in The Tanach just in a very different order except the first five books - The Jew's Torah. The Good Lord gave Israel to the Jews. The rest of my bible is the creation, the Jews history in Israel and the story of Jesus. his disciples and his teachings. I will leave it there.
Later after many centuries the Jews were driven out of their land after the (2) Jewish revolts against The Romans.
After the Shoah, in a world wide instant of clear thinking as well as empathy, the rest of the word voted for the Jews to reconstitute their land as they saw fit. The Jews of Israel have had to fight over and over to retain their land and existence. In the meantime they have created a truly, great country.
The Jews returning to their native country is the greatest event of my lifetime and I am older than the modern state of Israel. It is a blessing from The Lord who gave me my bible and in my bible it is foretold by the prophets that the Jews would finally return.
Exceptional framing of the Dunning-Kruger phenomenon. That Idaho anecdote nails it, people with zero stake in an issue still feel this compulsive need to broadcast certainty. I've watched this play out in tech spaces too, where domain experts get drowned out by loud generalists who spent 20 minuts scrolling Twitter. The algorithm rewards confidance over competence and we're all paying the price for it.
Your comment on “Most non-Jews commenting on Israel…” is also true of most American Jews, outside of Orthodox circles. I had twelve years of Jewish education in America (much more than most American Jews), and what I knew when I came to Israel was so little compared to what I’ve learned since, there is no comparison. You can’t really understand a country (or culture) without living in it for a year or two.
I guess Hamas leadership openly calling "Palestinians" to die for a cause, while living in luxury mansions with 4bln of income net are not "war criminals"?
No bravery needed. Your column is exactly correct and true. Unfortunately those who have these type of opinions won’t hear you
The Social Media age in the modern West, ubiquitous screens and devices combined with historically unprecedented wealth and safety, has gradually infantilized anyone naive or bored enough to give their life and soul to their algorithm of choice. And reading about the deadly combination of arrogance and ignorance reminded me of who traditionally has worn the crown for having little knowledge but total certitude—teenagers. Teenagers read one book or article or see one movie or show and are ready to denounce anyone within distance, esp mom and dad, who have provided them with everything but failed to make life and the world a utopia of rainbows and unicorns. (I think this also helps explain why in our time adults read comic books, line up to see comic-book movies and save up for trips to theme parks. Why grow up when wallowing in childhood is much more fun?)
But even a society of spoiled brats need meaning and purpose, and they express and display this much like they do their cultural choices: people want simple stories of good and evil with symbols so obvious that no heavy thinking is required. And memes and TikTok videos are designed to meet these needs, providing you an ersatz moral and mental thrill while you're still in your pajamas, where all you have to do is clink the link to feel righteous and wise.
We will gradually transition from Enlightenment liberalism to postliterate postliberalism, from egalitarian universalism (in theory and aspiration) to a rebarbarized tribalism, with only one plank of the old world left intact: Jew hate.
People can live without many things but a Satanic scapegoat seems to be the glue that holds tribes and communities together and the Jew is the ultimate handy hate vessel—you provide the cause, reason, rationale, grievance, wound, utopian quest and the Jew can shape-shift like Proteus to become the embodiment of whatever evil you claim to want to eradicate.
Just think of how much work the Big Bad Jew does for the Palestinians—they get to luxuriate in self-pity like a warm bath, to not worry about feeding or educating their children as this is done by the UN, and best of all, they exist beyond agency and responsibility, there is simply nothing that's their fault. The Palestinians get to be the globe's eternal angry spoiled teen, all thanks to Jewish evil. Arrogance plus ignorance might just be the human default mode, which take education and sophistication to rise above, but these things are becoming more rare by the day.
I experienced just this in a discussion about the Torah’s admonition regarding how we as a nation deal with those here illegally.
My interlocutors were using the phrase, “you shall not oppress the stranger” as a guidepost for addressing illegal aliens. Although well meaning and knowledgeable about the p’shat ( literal statement) , they were ignorant as to biblical exegesis. When I tried to enlighten, my analysis was labeled a “warped reading of the Bible.” I told them pointedly “don’t you dare tell me how to interpret the Hebrew in the Torah according to ancient precepts of exegesis. You’ve never studied the original language, your naive literalness exposes the limits of your understanding.”
I didn’t take offense at their views of aliens or their reference to the Torah. Rather I took offense at their arrogant and ignorant air of superiority that my depth of knowledge was a “warped” one, as opposed to something worthy of discussion. They knew not of what they spoke and doubled down on their ignorance. They polarized rather than dialogue.
And one more factor, our disagreement made me “immoral” rather than “davar archer”
(Another explanation).
Nice piece by Douglas Murray in this week’s Spectator magazine. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-pleasure-of-not-knowing/
Excellent essay as always. Unfortunately, social media has helped to create these ignorant know nothings. Thinking and doing the actual research takes time, something these social media "warriors" can't be bothered with when given information by the "experts." The words experts and intellectuals has been overused. Ph.D's are given out today like candy, and the same with law degrees. The education system in the US is rife with propaganda. I just read about the Philadelphia School District (which I taught in for many, many years) partnering with CAIR to hold a workshop that will talk about "Jewish political power." As you so rightly said, Joshua, it's a mind virus, and it is spreading in every crevice of American society, which is being allowed by so many in leadership positions. An uneducated citizenry is one that is loved because it's so easily manipulated. I'm a believer in good will prevail over evil and the good guys will win in the end. I hope I'm not proven wrong.
"A non-Jew having an arrogant and ignorant opinion about Israel, Zionism, etc. mistaking their distorted perspective for authority over a story that is not theirs to rewrite."
If anyone knows of an annual contest for best photo caption of the year, Joshua's opening entry to this essay deserves to win it hands down!
Beautifully written. There's a generation, though, Gen Z maybe, now 40 to 50 years old? That was taught not to judge, that everything was relative, gray, nuanced. No black or white, no right or wrong, no tolerable or intolerable. They still have trouble making decisions.
This piece does not suggest that lack of conviction is the answer, but as with everything, there's the down side of not putting a stake in the ground and and standing firmly, especially morally. Courage does require risk - that you might be wrong, that no one can know everything, but a time for choosing can be existential. Conviction isn't always arrogance and certainly should never be based on deliberate ignorance, but a retreat into "who's to say" isn't defensible and just passes the buck.
Don't be afraid to believe and stand for your right to faith, with knowledge and humility. Be prepared to defend your conviction with reason, passion, courage and humility. Then, go, with determination to do what you are willing to defend.
Gen Z is NOT 40- 50 years old. They are in their teens and twenties.
Then who is in their ‘40s and 50s’ ??
X is in 40s and 50s.
I think that’s Gen X
Part of it is that many traditional Christians/Muslims/Communists/etc. don't recognize that Jews are an independent group. They think that we're deviant Christians/Muslims/Communists/etc. and they expect us to recognize that and get back into their ideological straightjackkets.
Lots of truth in this essay. Yet, in democracies, people who have little, if any, knowledge about the issues of the day, vote for presidents, prime ministers me minist
and in Massachusetts they're proposng to (try) and pass a law that allows sixteen year olds to vote. Talk about little knowledge, yikes.
Prime minister, Congress, Knesset, whatever
Another home run by Joshua Hoffman. Spot on.
I don't think that Israel/Zionism/Jews as a combined issue is complicated. To me as a Christian it is easy.
My King James Bible inherited from my ancestors 200 years ago has an "Old Testament" that is much longer than "The New Testament." That "Old Testament" is word for word what Jews read in The Tanach just in a very different order except the first five books - The Jew's Torah. The Good Lord gave Israel to the Jews. The rest of my bible is the creation, the Jews history in Israel and the story of Jesus. his disciples and his teachings. I will leave it there.
Later after many centuries the Jews were driven out of their land after the (2) Jewish revolts against The Romans.
After the Shoah, in a world wide instant of clear thinking as well as empathy, the rest of the word voted for the Jews to reconstitute their land as they saw fit. The Jews of Israel have had to fight over and over to retain their land and existence. In the meantime they have created a truly, great country.
The Jews returning to their native country is the greatest event of my lifetime and I am older than the modern state of Israel. It is a blessing from The Lord who gave me my bible and in my bible it is foretold by the prophets that the Jews would finally return.
It's that simple to me. God bless Israel forever.
Exceptional framing of the Dunning-Kruger phenomenon. That Idaho anecdote nails it, people with zero stake in an issue still feel this compulsive need to broadcast certainty. I've watched this play out in tech spaces too, where domain experts get drowned out by loud generalists who spent 20 minuts scrolling Twitter. The algorithm rewards confidance over competence and we're all paying the price for it.
The theme of this essay is to never get into a braying contest with a jackass.
Hm, anyone brave enough to have an opinion on Joshua's column?
I welcome all opinions, for or against. I'm not a fascist who thinks everyone must agree with me.
Hahahahaha! Not me!
Your comment on “Most non-Jews commenting on Israel…” is also true of most American Jews, outside of Orthodox circles. I had twelve years of Jewish education in America (much more than most American Jews), and what I knew when I came to Israel was so little compared to what I’ve learned since, there is no comparison. You can’t really understand a country (or culture) without living in it for a year or two.
I don't know about "most" American Jews, but certainly some, perhaps many.
We can disagree on whether it’s most or many. As an American/Israeli dual citizen who has spent several decades in each, I’ll stick with most.
I guess Hamas leadership openly calling "Palestinians" to die for a cause, while living in luxury mansions with 4bln of income net are not "war criminals"?