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[-] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 181 points 1 day ago

To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.

[-] Lupus@feddit.org 87 points 1 day ago

Careful with that quote, it's by Kevin Alfred Strom a Neo-Nazi from an 1993 essay in the national Vanguard, a white nationalist publication and it refers to the antisemitic trope of world Judaism.

I'm not criticizing you, just want to contextualize it because it could be misconstrued to be a antisemitic dog-whistle, especially in the context of the linked article.

[-] ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works 45 points 1 day ago

It's an axiomatic truism. It's logic is self contained.

To learn who is wet, simply find out who is in the water.

[-] SalmiakDragon@feddit.nu 1 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

Is it? I haven't studied philosophy (but I have studied math) - it seems to me that the Wikipedia article on Truism demands the statement to be true for it to be a truism. But it's not true though?

The way I see it, the statement can be construed as:

I'm not allowed to criticize X -> X rules over me

But, perhaps because "allowed" and "criticize" are subject to interpretation, there are plenty of groups you will be socially penalized for criticizing (see jokes about kids with cancer below the comment with the quote - I can’t figure out how to link to them). Many countries also protect minorities by making hate speech illegal, and yet those minorities are not ruling the country (though that's probably exactly what the quote was originally meant to imply). If anything, the truism would be the 'opposite' implication:

X rules over me -> I'm not allowed to criticize X

Yet even this isn't categorically true, like in democracies (which I guess brings in the interpretation of "rule", as well).

[-] thesmokingman@programming.dev 3 points 18 hours ago

Why does that preclude it from being in the zeitgeist?

[-] QueenHawlSera@sh.itjust.works 2 points 17 hours ago

Because it's literally a white supremacist talking point?

[-] thesmokingman@programming.dev 3 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

You and I are in agreement; the user I responded to seemed to be implying otherwise.

Edit: I think it’s a bit strong to say it’s “a literal white supremacist talking point.” Your average boomer is going to mistakenly associate it with Voltaire. I think folks that are some level below terminally online have seen one of the many pieces pointing out its origin. Away from the author, it could stand on its own merits which is why “kids with cancer” is a funny response to it. In the US, at least, I haven’t seen a lot of discussion from the white supremacists who run the government on this quote which further makes me question if it’s a literal talking point. Perhaps you are aware of groups that are actively pushing it? If not, it’s a bit more reasonable to say what the first response in this thread said. Be careful.

[-] ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works 1 points 15 hours ago

the user I responded to seemed to be implying otherwise.

Not really. I'm just saying the quote isn't particularly insightful upon analysis, source notwithstanding.

[-] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Logic self contained within nature's perfect geometry, a circle.

[-] WorldsDumbestMan@lemmy.today 8 points 1 day ago

Well, that just means he has experience ruling over people, and not allowing them to criticize him.

That means it's valid.

[-] Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone 45 points 1 day ago

I knew it was the kids with cancer all along!

[-] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago)

Yeah! Those little brats have had it too easy for too long!

Well not that long EACH, but you know 🤷

[-] QueenHawlSera@sh.itjust.works 5 points 17 hours ago

Didn't a literal Nazi coin that phrase while talking about jews?

this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2026
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