Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given.
In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do."
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What you are seeing right now is the normalization of extreme behaviors.
By normalizing these behaviors and actions they are able to become routine.
Corporations, schools, and public institutions are increasingly self-censoring to avoid political backlash or accusations of being “woke,” as we’ve seen in Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act” and the broader backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Some media outlets and platforms avoid challenging misinformation or authoritarian-leaning narratives to maintain access to political figures or avoid alienating audiences, effectively becoming enablers of propaganda.
The deep political divide has created a culture of fear where people self-censor rather than speak out against oppressive or extreme rhetoric. This silence allows authoritarian ideas to spread without opposition, reinforcing their legitimacy.
Be loud. Be annoying. By failing to resist, challenge, or question these shifts, citizens and institutions are covertly empowering authoritarian forces. Do not put your head down.
Do not comply in advance.
Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given.
In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do."
——
What you are seeing right now is the normalization of extreme behaviors.
By normalizing these behaviors and actions they are able to become routine.
Corporations, schools, and public institutions are increasingly self-censoring to avoid political backlash or accusations of being “woke,” as we’ve seen in Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act” and the broader backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Some media outlets and platforms avoid challenging misinformation or authoritarian-leaning narratives to maintain access to political figures or avoid alienating audiences, effectively becoming enablers of propaganda.
The deep political divide has created a culture of fear where people self-censor rather than speak out against oppressive or extreme rhetoric. This silence allows authoritarian ideas to spread without opposition, reinforcing their legitimacy.
Be loud. Be annoying. By failing to resist, challenge, or question these shifts, citizens and institutions are covertly empowering authoritarian forces. Do not put your head down.
Do not comply in advance.
