The Origins of Wokeness (paulgraham.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the origins of 'wokeness' and its evolution over time, tracing its roots to the New Left movement and the rejection of socialist and Marxist ideologies. It argues that wokeness has become a performative focus on social justice, which has been co-opted by the middle class and has compromised with existing power structures. The article also touches on the role of technology, particularly Twitter, in amplifying and neutralizing wokeness. The author suggests that the anti-woke movement is closely tied to social conservatism and the suppression of certain voices.

Main themes

• Wokeness and social justice
• Middle-class origins of wokeness
• Technology and social media
• Power dynamics and compromise
• Anti-woke movement and social conservatism

What commenters say

• The performative nature of social justice activism is not a new phenomenon and should not detract from the underlying issues.
• The anti-woke movement is motivated by a desire to suppress certain voices and limit discussions on topics like sexuality and gender identity.
• The expansion of social media platforms has created new opportunities for diverse voices to be heard, but also raises concerns about censorship and the amplification of extremist views.
• The concept of 'free speech' is meaningless if it does not include equal opportunity to be heard, and algorithms can perpetuate inequality by prioritizing certain voices over others.
• The co-option of wokeness by the middle class has led to a compromise with existing power structures, undermining the potential for meaningful social change.
• The line between promoting diversity of opinion and allowing malicious actors to spread misinformation is blurred, and the role of financial barriers in regulating online discourse is debated.
• The anti-woke movement is closely tied to social conservatism and the suppression of certain voices, particularly in the context of education and academic inquiry.
• The notion of 'fair speech' emphasizes the importance of equal opportunity to be heard, rather than just the absence of government retribution, in ensuring meaningful freedom of expression.