Conversation

Posted this privately but I think it's worth noting in public: as with "Nazi", I don't use the word "authoritarian" to describe anyone I don't like. It's a specific pattern of behavior:

Authoritarians want to be the ones to set the rules for Correct Behavior, and to unilaterally eject anyone who doesn't follow them. Without real power this just means purity checks: "are you As Woke As Me, or are you a fascist?" In an actual position of authority this results in secret police and gulags.