The article by Thomas Buckley discusses the various claimed existential threats facing society today, such as climate change, misinformation, inequality, pandemics, and the state of democracy. Buckley argues these threats are exaggerated and contribute to societal chaos.
1. False Threats: Buckley asserts that claims of existential threats are intentionally amplified to control and manipulate the public. People are made to feel helpless, allowing those in power to guide them.
2. Individuality at Risk: The emphasis on communitarianism undermines personal agency, which is crucial for a free society. The author warns that disregarding individual rights poses a serious long-term danger.
3. Misuse of Terms: The term "existential threat" is misapplied to many issues that do not truly threaten existence. Authentic existential threats are global, permanent, and indisputable.
4. Societal Manipulation: Buckley suggests that the ongoing fear of catastrophe keeps society in a state of anxiety, leading to decisions made from panic rather than rational thought. This environment benefits those in power who use fear to suppress dissent and maintain control.
5. Real Threats: Instead of climate change or inequality, the author believes the actual threat comes from governmental and societal structures that limit freedom and agency under the guise of safeguarding democracy and well-being.
Ultimately, Buckley argues that while society faces challenges, many portrayed as existential threats are inflated, serving to distract from the real dangers posed by an overreaching state and loss of individual freedoms.
https://brownstone.org/articles/the-existential-threat-of-the-existential-threat/
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