Science

I think you underestimate the degree to which they are cowardly. They gain confidence from superior numbers, but one-on-one, or crowd vs crowd, a lot of them can be put off by speech or other non-violent means. I think that deep down a lot of them know what they are doing is wrong, even though they tell themselves otherwise.

Non-violent resistance has a long history and has often been effective. As an example, the fight for civil rights was not won because the progressives usually managed to beat up the racists. The progressives were largely non-violent. The racists were routinely violent, but they still lost.

It takes a lot of bravery to oppose someone who may try to hurt you. Some of us will get hurt. It shouldn't be necessary, but if we want this to stop we will have to take some risks. (There's nothing wrong with avoiding high-risk situations, but some risk is necessary.)

Personally, I am also okay with defending yourself if you are attacked. Non-violence is always better, but I doubt I could remain passive if faced with physical violence.

This is a spot on observation. There's a guy on TikTok that talks about healthy masculinity that really resonates with me and talks about this exact phenomenon and how it harms us all. The video I link here really nails it. He puts into words what I've always felt. His examples are based in politics, and his expansion is based on interpersonal relationships.

"If you can't state the opposite position of your position in good faith, then you don't know who you are. You only know who you wish you were."

Huge caveat, though: this only works when speaking to people in good faith. And it isn't always easy to spot when someone is speaking in good faith or in bad faith, especially when we're talking about subjects that effect us directly. The quote about anti-Semites not being unaware of the absurdity of their comments comes to mind.

Understanding would mean admitting that they themselves might have been acting wrongly and that they should change.

Admitting your own faults is hard and change is scary.

It sucks how hard it is to have honest and good faith conversations.

"Nutjobs" sounds like a good name.

Sure back when it was the British and American aristocracies coming up with shadowy organizations that must have perpetrated the French revolution.

Doesn't seem to be tarnished when Smedly Butler unveiled the business plot, nor when the Pentagon papers leaked or evidence of MKULTRA was discovered. Then all the sudden right around the time they stopped teaching humanities at public schools all these groups appeared with very specific very laughable conspiracies they were blindly dedicated to.

And now it's just shorthand for pedophile racist.

I want to believe you. See also my comment below.

I rather don't like to go further in detail. I just closed this topic for myself.