On Greta Thunberg and the Omnicause
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TL;DR
- The author expresses personal dislike for Greta Thunberg and critiques the use of her identity (child, Asperger's) to confer unassailable moral authority.
- The article distinguishes between legitimate feelings and arguments, asserting that Thunberg's 'How dare you!' outbursts and calls for panic, while emotionally charged, are not substantive arguments.
- Thunberg's activism has evolved from climate change advocacy to an 'omnicause' encompassing various political issues, including anti-Zionist and anti-liberal stances.
- This shift is presented as a symptom of a broader crisis of meaning, particularly among the young, who may turn to conspiracy theories to find purpose and identity.
- The author suggests that while liberal systems provide freedom to find meaning, they are not effective at providing it, leading some to seek meaning in illiberal ideologies.
- A key takeaway is that feelings should not be presented as arguments, and criticisms of individuals should not be deflected by attacking the critics for picking on a child.