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The Aestheticization of Ethics: When Goodness Becomes a Vibe
The Aestheticization of Ethics: When Goodness Becomes a Vibe How the story of being “good” became performance instead of practice Every age has its favorite illusions. Ours might be the belief that looking moral is the same as being moral.We live in a time when “justice,” “truth,” and “freedom” have become props in a cultural…
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Church, State, and the Chosen People Myth
Church, State, and the Chosen People Myth Christian Nationalism as a Fiction of Divine Appointment and Holy War There’s a story some political movements tell about a nation: that it was chosen, set apart, and therefore entitled to special status in the world. When that story borrows religious language and channels it into politics, it…
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The Male-as-Protector Myth A Gentle Lie That Becomes Violent
The Male-as-Protector Myth: A Gentle Lie That Becomes Violent How “noble” patriarchal roles can quietly undermine equality It sounds noble: “Men protect women.”A phrase that evokes chivalry, bravery, sacrifice — and a sense of moral purpose. It’s a story older than civilization itself, repeated in every epic, fairy tale, and family expectation. But beneath its…
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Guns as Religion The Sacred Myth of Self-Defense
Guns as Religion: The Sacred Myth of Self-Defense How American Gun Culture Turned a Tool into a Spiritual Symbol In many parts of the United States, the gun is more than a weapon — it’s a worldview. It holds the weight of identity, tradition, and even salvation. For millions of Americans, owning a firearm isn’t…
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The Good Old Days That Never Were
The Good Old Days That Never Were Nostalgia as Myth-Making — How the Past Is Romanticized to Resist Change Everyone loves to reminisce about “the good old days.”Simpler times. Stronger families. Better morals. Lower prices.It’s a comforting story — and that’s exactly what makes it dangerous. Nostalgia isn’t inherently bad. Remembering the past fondly can…
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Capitalism’s Chosen Ones Tech CEOs as Modern-Day Prophets
Capitalism’s Chosen Ones: Tech CEOs as Modern-Day Prophets In the age of apps, venture capital, and viral product launches, a curious cultural image has risen: the tech CEO as prophet. Much like religious visionaries of old, these figures are often cast as pioneers of destiny — bold, singular, and uniquely attuned to the future. They…
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The Strongman Myth
The Strongman Myth: Why People Still Worship Authoritarian Leaders Across cultures and centuries, a familiar figure reappears in times of fear and upheaval: the strongman. He is presented as the savior, the one person tough enough, ruthless enough, and decisive enough to cut through the chaos and “fix it.” Even today, in an age of…
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The White American Identity Crisis
The White American Identity Crisis For much of U.S. history, there has been an unspoken cultural script: to be “American” was to be white. Popular media, textbooks, politics, and even advertising reinforced the idea that whiteness was the default setting for national identity, while everyone else was framed as a variation, an outsider, or an…