What are the alt-Right and alt-Left?

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:47:01 -0400

Most experts tend to agree that they are made-up terms. So? All terms are made up, aren't they? Every word of every language was made up, crafted to express an idea, name a thing, or denote an action. If alt-Right and alt-Left are made up, does that make them any less valid?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 21 at 2017 12:48 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:48:14 -0400

The challenge is to understand what they are. Inasmuch as they haven't yet appeared in any dictionary, it's a great challenge. The simple fact that they are being used as pejoratives, used to express contempt for the opposition, I suspect that both are describing strawmen.

What then is a strawman? Fortunately that term has arrived in the dictionary: An intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.

Thus, when you hear these terms, beware. You have stumbled upon propaganda. The Strawman Argument is a classic technique of propaganda. The propagandist is attempting to convince you of the correctness of their position or opinion by contrasting it with the obvious weakness or falseness of that of their opponent's that they have crafted for them.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Aug 21 at 2017 12:49 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:49:29 -0400

On a keyboard its to the left and right of the spacebar.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 21 at 2017 12:51 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:51:37 -0400

I agree, I don't think either of them are well defined or defined at all. It is a little like obscenity used to be. I am not sure what it is but I will know it when I see it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2017 12:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:54:50 -0400

I'd like to point out exactly how "out-of-touch" I am these days. The first thing I did when I saw your question was look at my keyboard. I thought is was some sort of shortcut like Ctrl-Alt-Delete.

Glad to know my retreat from society is right on track!

Response by SFC Dave Beran made Aug 21 at 2017 2:25 PM

SFC Dave Beran — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 14:25:05 -0400

I wish someone would come up with an alt middle so I can play too. Lol

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Aug 21 at 2017 3:17 PM

AA Joseph Moody — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 15:17:45 -0400

They are both kinda in a symbiotic/parasitic relationship with each other.

If you want the cliff notes on the alt right thing here you go with Gavin McInnes, as from the alt left...I think this is mostly left over SJW's, and Antifia, some BLM picked up into this and the liberals who give liberals a bad name.

Prince of queens's video should get you kind of up to speed on the alt left....but it is a group in flux so I don't expect it to be fully defined for a few more years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQCZ9izaCa4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF9eWXbXr8o

Gavin McInnes: What is the Alt-Right?

(LANGUAGE WARNING) Gavin McInnes of TheRebel.media explains the difference between the alt-right, the alt-light, and actual Nazis. MORE: https://www.therebel...