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alwaysinasnit

(5,037 posts)
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 07:25 PM Dec 2021

Interesting article at Salon; "Why they hate Dr. Fauci"

https://www.salon.com/2021/12/22/why-they-hate-him-dr-fauci-triggers-the-right-because-he-reveals-their-deepest-insecurities/

snip...

Dr. Fauci has been the favorite target of "who does he think he is"-style rants by pretty much every right-wing pundit and politician out there for over a year now. He's easily the most reliable hate object they've had since Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Those three are some readers — and that reliably triggers the bullying response in the Jesse Watters types. Despite all of their chest-thumping bravado, this knee-jerk hostility to those perceived as intellectually curious evinces a deep insecurity driving right-wingers.

We also see this in the furious reaction on the right to polling data showing that young Democrats are not interested in socializing with, much less dating, Republicans. Considering how much liberals are demonized in right-wing media, you'd think the last thing conservatives would want is their company. But so much of that anger is driven by conservative insecurity, knowing that ultimately, their company is mostly irritating and definitely not interesting, and lashing out at others for perceiving that.

Which isn't to say the stereotype of the smug liberal doesn't exist. That Hicks routine is iconic in the annals of smug liberalism. But nowadays, the trend in smug liberalism tends to be more condescending than catty. It's those on the left who mistake intentional obtuseness for inborn stupidity. It manifests in lectures at other liberals about how we need to be patient with the unvaccinated Trumpers, because they can't be expected to understand how vaccines work. Or in treating Fox News viewers like dim-witted ciphers, instead of people who actively seek out propaganda and reject reality-based information. Say what you will about those on the left who are angry at the unvaccinated, fascistic Fox News audience — at least we give them the respect of knowing that their ignorance is a choice, not a predetermined condition.

In truth, the "smug liberal" is far more of a paranoid fantasy on the right than a reality. It's the manifestation of their own resentment of people who did do the reading, people who do want to know more about the larger world. They are jealous of people who say yes to novel ideas and new experiences, instead of freaking out at the mere thought of having to learn something new. It's not that such people are especially smug. Dr. Fauci, for instance, radiates kindness and patience. It's that conservatives are just that insecure about their own shortcomings.

snip...
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Interesting article at Salon; "Why they hate Dr. Fauci" (Original Post) alwaysinasnit Dec 2021 OP
fascists are anti-intellectual. Thomas Hurt Dec 2021 #1
This Poiuyt Dec 2021 #6
In simpler terms, grumpyduck Dec 2021 #2
Sure. But it is more complicated that that. Caliman73 Dec 2021 #8
Good points, but I don't believe that grumpyduck Dec 2021 #9
Those people are paid to read scripts. Caliman73 Dec 2021 #10
He laughed at Trump on screen. Standing right behind him. underpants Dec 2021 #3
Conservatives are nothing but shortcomings. C_U_L8R Dec 2021 #4
The majority are ignorant and uneducated Woodswalker Dec 2021 #5
The GOP just doesn't want the base to have a positive relationship applegrove Dec 2021 #7
A+ for using a Bill Hicks standup routine as part of the discussion. nt crickets Dec 2021 #11

grumpyduck

(6,197 posts)
2. In simpler terms,
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 07:36 PM
Dec 2021

they hate Dr. Fauci because he's the guy who contradicted tfg, and who they have been told to hate by right-wing talking heads. He's the scapegoat.

Caliman73

(11,690 posts)
8. Sure. But it is more complicated that that.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:05 PM
Dec 2021

Uncertainty is something that can be scary, in a psychological sense. Operating in the grey takes more cognitive effort, more vulnerability. You have to be sure of your own ethical, moral, and intellectual foundations. You have to have sound epistemology and critical thinking skills and be willing to use them constantly, often challenging your own perceptions and notions of what is true, fair, accurate, ethical, etc...

It is a lot of work, and it can be exhausting.

When you think in binary terms, life is easier. You know what is right and wrong. You hold on to information passed to you by others. You cut off any conversation you might have with yourself and you just know what you know.

When you see people doing the former, it can be threatening. Then they use big words. Then they used concepts with which you are not familiar. Things you may tend to think, are made up. There are a couple of things you can do in this situation. You can learn more, challenge yourself and get involved in the conversation... OR you can ridicule those people as smug, pointy headed, pretentious people.

They hate Fauci because he represents a challenge to them, to their binary view of the world. Scientists do not typically see the world in binary terms. You can't see the world in binary terms and be a good scientist. You have to be willing to go where the evidence takes you. You have to be willing to be wrong so that you can "get right". You do not make pronouncements of certainty, you talk about the best estimate supported by the current data, because you know that more data can come along and take down your hypothesis. You have to be comfortable operating in the grey.

They certainly hate Fauci because they have been told to hate him. The thing is, they have been told to hate him by other people who are threatened by the intellect, by the openness and willingness to be wrong to get right.

grumpyduck

(6,197 posts)
9. Good points, but I don't believe that
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:18 PM
Dec 2021

the TV talking heads (who tell their viewers to hate him) are threatened by him. I think they are just using him to inflame their viewers.

Likewise repuke members of Congress. I think they're using him to get on the good side of tfg's supporters.

From what I've seen recently, I don't believe that a lot of "common folk" Fauci-haters even understand who he is or how he fits into the picture: I think they're just doing it because they're told to do so. Kinda like mob mentality.

Caliman73

(11,690 posts)
10. Those people are paid to read scripts.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 08:27 PM
Dec 2021

Disgusting in their own right but you are correct. They are not threatened by Fauci or by "the elite" because they are part of the elite. Media figures with 6 and 7 figure salaries.

The only thing they are likely upset about is that they are pariahs among the celebrity culture of Hollywood and musicians.

Like Trump. He HATED that he was not respected by the top tier celebrities like Tom Hanks, DeNiro, Streep, etc... He wanted SO bad to be part of the moneyed culture in New York, but he was mostly seen as a slum lord c-list celebrity.

underpants

(182,271 posts)
3. He laughed at Trump on screen. Standing right behind him.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 07:39 PM
Dec 2021

I was watching when it happened and thought “Oh thy are going to come after him ruthlessly”. Trump had just mentioned “Deep State” and Fauci couldn’t help but laugh.

He is also the perfect enemy to them because he dared to not fully support Trump as he so dangerously mismanaged the pandemic.

C_U_L8R

(44,889 posts)
4. Conservatives are nothing but shortcomings.
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 07:45 PM
Dec 2021

It's the very essence of conservatism. Poor miserable dopes.

 

Woodswalker

(549 posts)
5. The majority are ignorant and uneducated
Wed Dec 22, 2021, 07:48 PM
Dec 2021

And it's much easier for them to be right wingers. Intellectually lazy. Understanding take a bit of effort. Hate is easy and tends to be contagious amongst simpletons

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