Extremist messaging now woven into music and YouTube videos, with one expert saying: ‘You can be radicalised sitting on your couch’
The two men chop peppers, slice aubergines and giggle into the camera as they delve into the art of vegan cooking. Both are wearing ski masks and T-shirts bearing Nazi symbols.
The German videos – titled Balaclava Kitchen – started in 2014 and ran for months before YouTube took down the channel for violating its guidelines.
But it offered a glimpse of how far-right groups have seized on cultural production – from clothing brands to top 40 music – to normalise their ideas, in a process that researchers say has hit new heights in the age of social media.
pacifism ≠ tolerance
And if you want more than waving and waggles, you’re going to have to sway them into joining your mission with a comprehensive plan to fix things. They’d be on board with a general strike, jailing fascists in power, efforts to deprogram, and offering enticing alternatives to the followers, so we can end their beliefs and actions for this and future generations.
Most of the work against fascism will need to be done in our personal relationships in everyday life. Even the most massive violent movements have not rid the world of fascism. Critical mass of public opinion is the most effective weapon. Unfortunately, the necessary educational opportunities and social supports were not sufficiently protected, leaving us where we are today. We need to tend the garden of ideas.
In a decade, that might bear fruition. In the meantime, we need to make it too costly and dangerous for them to hold power. Until they’re driven out, sweet reason isn’t going to be enough.
Wow your current governments are doing so great enjoy your 50 year mortgage and renting a virtual computer from Nvidia.