"Bully" (2011) was a Weinstein Company documentary that "raised awareness" of bullying on the school bus. Weinstein et al were on the left. James McGibney became the online hero of the anti-cyberbullying movement in 2010 only to have his Twitter account suspended a few years later because of his association with online bullies. McGibney has always been on the political right. So during the first Obama term, there was a consensus that bullying is bad. No one likes being bullied. There was too much of it, and we should do something about that.
Three notable events stand out. First, we put little worry machines ("smart phones") in our kids' hands. This is how we got brawls breaking out in school cafeterias to create viral videos while students race from their classes to get the most viral video of because they got a text about it from a student already struggling to capture the most viral video. Our faith in technology was misplaced. Kids were playing Tumblr games to learn their gender identities instead of learning math or science or any other subject. The impact on arts and humanities education is even worse.
Second, in 2011 the Obamas put a spotlight on the issue and created public-private partnerships to end bullying once and for all, changing human nature through administrative policy. The government was here to help with the bullying problem. During the second Obama term, this new crusade against bullying was enlarged and extended to anything deemed harmful, especially words. The main theater of this activity was the Department of Education. American educators were administratively disciplined to "respect gender identities" because to do otherwise in any form, especially words, was now "bullying." See how that works?
Third, covid happened. The bullies made us wear masks and get vaccines and socially distance and shut down everything because to do otherwise was literally murdering them. Now you see Taylor Lorenz etc all wearing their masks as political signifiers more than anything. A national emergency happened and the real bullies showed us who they were. They are still showing us. A new consensus has formed in America.
Alex Libby, the subject of "Bully," was embraced by his classmates after they watched the documentary. Turns out that kids need to work out their status in the world, struggle against the oppression of other kids, play together outside unsupervised, and stay away from screens to become normal, functioning adults. Turns out human nature is immutable and contra Barack Obama, bullying is both natural and inevitable, being part of human nature. Turns out that, especially for young men, a process of overcoming challenges and getting over ego when you tap out is absolutely vital to becoming a grown-up.
That’s exactly right. We need constructive feedback from our peers. In the Navy, I watched this campaign trickle its way in. An “ass chewing” is unpleasant, but only get one if you screw up. To avoid the discomfort of another one, you correct yourself. Slowly this dynamic began to shift, and before long, Sailors who were offended began filing grievances. Leadership was being reprimanded for their Sailors having their feelings hurt. But that’s the whole point! You are supposed to feel shame! It didn’t take long for the under-performers and slackers to feel empowered by this victim card, and now the benefits of constructive negative feedback has been thrown out with the bathwater almost entirely. We need a new regime to take the reins of our military and turn this around. The military is the worst place for this nonsense to permeate. Great piece my man! As usual. 😉
I loved your essay. I know without a doubt if that had happened when I was a kid, that pervert would have been severely dealt with in a way that left no confusion. It seems we are hell bent on our own destruction with situations like these. I was “bullied” as a child because I am epileptic and my seizures were frightening to others, I’m also visually impaired and constantly teased and picked on/singled out. It was awful and I’m sure I carry scars. However, I would not trade it for the world today. I am strong and resilient and I have grit, something sorely lacking in much of the people I interact with today. Excellent writing, thank you.
I was bullied as a kid for no good reason. I just wanted to be left alone really. And being bullied made me want to be left alone that much more.
Fast forward to the anti-bullying campaigns about 15 years ago. I was all for them . . . until I noticed they were into promoting alphabet stuff. I haven't supported them since.
Bullying can be a problem as I know first hand. It is one reason my social development was slow. So it's sad to see anti-bullying being used as a tool to promote alphabet stuff.
"Bully" (2011) was a Weinstein Company documentary that "raised awareness" of bullying on the school bus. Weinstein et al were on the left. James McGibney became the online hero of the anti-cyberbullying movement in 2010 only to have his Twitter account suspended a few years later because of his association with online bullies. McGibney has always been on the political right. So during the first Obama term, there was a consensus that bullying is bad. No one likes being bullied. There was too much of it, and we should do something about that.
Three notable events stand out. First, we put little worry machines ("smart phones") in our kids' hands. This is how we got brawls breaking out in school cafeterias to create viral videos while students race from their classes to get the most viral video of because they got a text about it from a student already struggling to capture the most viral video. Our faith in technology was misplaced. Kids were playing Tumblr games to learn their gender identities instead of learning math or science or any other subject. The impact on arts and humanities education is even worse.
Second, in 2011 the Obamas put a spotlight on the issue and created public-private partnerships to end bullying once and for all, changing human nature through administrative policy. The government was here to help with the bullying problem. During the second Obama term, this new crusade against bullying was enlarged and extended to anything deemed harmful, especially words. The main theater of this activity was the Department of Education. American educators were administratively disciplined to "respect gender identities" because to do otherwise in any form, especially words, was now "bullying." See how that works?
Third, covid happened. The bullies made us wear masks and get vaccines and socially distance and shut down everything because to do otherwise was literally murdering them. Now you see Taylor Lorenz etc all wearing their masks as political signifiers more than anything. A national emergency happened and the real bullies showed us who they were. They are still showing us. A new consensus has formed in America.
Alex Libby, the subject of "Bully," was embraced by his classmates after they watched the documentary. Turns out that kids need to work out their status in the world, struggle against the oppression of other kids, play together outside unsupervised, and stay away from screens to become normal, functioning adults. Turns out human nature is immutable and contra Barack Obama, bullying is both natural and inevitable, being part of human nature. Turns out that, especially for young men, a process of overcoming challenges and getting over ego when you tap out is absolutely vital to becoming a grown-up.
Wow! Thank you for sharing that.
That’s exactly right. We need constructive feedback from our peers. In the Navy, I watched this campaign trickle its way in. An “ass chewing” is unpleasant, but only get one if you screw up. To avoid the discomfort of another one, you correct yourself. Slowly this dynamic began to shift, and before long, Sailors who were offended began filing grievances. Leadership was being reprimanded for their Sailors having their feelings hurt. But that’s the whole point! You are supposed to feel shame! It didn’t take long for the under-performers and slackers to feel empowered by this victim card, and now the benefits of constructive negative feedback has been thrown out with the bathwater almost entirely. We need a new regime to take the reins of our military and turn this around. The military is the worst place for this nonsense to permeate. Great piece my man! As usual. 😉
Ty sir 👊 great feedback!
I loved your essay. I know without a doubt if that had happened when I was a kid, that pervert would have been severely dealt with in a way that left no confusion. It seems we are hell bent on our own destruction with situations like these. I was “bullied” as a child because I am epileptic and my seizures were frightening to others, I’m also visually impaired and constantly teased and picked on/singled out. It was awful and I’m sure I carry scars. However, I would not trade it for the world today. I am strong and resilient and I have grit, something sorely lacking in much of the people I interact with today. Excellent writing, thank you.
Thank you very much. Both for sharing your story and strength and for the feedback on the piece. Means a lot to me.
I was bullied as a kid for no good reason. I just wanted to be left alone really. And being bullied made me want to be left alone that much more.
Fast forward to the anti-bullying campaigns about 15 years ago. I was all for them . . . until I noticed they were into promoting alphabet stuff. I haven't supported them since.
Bullying can be a problem as I know first hand. It is one reason my social development was slow. So it's sad to see anti-bullying being used as a tool to promote alphabet stuff.