Subversive Discourse exists to inspire thoughtful and thought-provoking discussions. It’s an eclectic platform for people who are truly open to new ideas.1 While we affirm the principle of civility as an essential tool for keeping the lines of communication open amid strong disagreement, we also recognize the importance of mindfully facing our own discomfort. That discomfort is an unavoidable part of the process of considering other perspectives and learning from others outside of his or her tribe.
This platform aims to subvert the ingrained expectations of narrow topics, targeted audience, consistent ideology, brevity, and a lack of nuance which dominates the current internet discourse. We also want to upend the expectations of utilizing picture over text, passion over reason, and advocacy over intellectual honesty. In the great tradition of a liberal arts education, Subversive Discourse is about wrestling through ideas and creatively re-imagining what’s possible.
Oscar Wilde once said, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” That is the counter-cultural spirit behind Subversive Discourse. Unfortunately, too many people reject the hard work it takes to think critically and to engage others with civility. Social media is dominated by people who feel like they can skim the introductory paragraph of a Wikipedia page then immediately claim expertise, watch a few conspiracy theory videos on YouTube then claim they have done the research, and receive their news from sources with a uniform ideology then claim they’re well informed.2 It is little wonder, then, that the quality of our public discourse has eroded to the point that it seems unfitting of the word “discourse.” In an era of echo chambers and niche marketing, we’ve become accustomed to instant gratification. Here at Subversive Discourse, we endeavor to model a slower, better way.
One unique feature of Subversive Discourse is that it’s for generalists. Our Articles and Podcasts cover a broad range of subjects, so readers and listeners never quite know what they’re going to find.3 It would not be unusual to find:
- A libertarian critique of HOAs.
- A socialist critique of the American healthcare system.
- A short-form piece about the 20th century legacy of social justice in sports.
- A long-form article about the unintended consequences of raising minimum wage.
- A podcast about moderation as an ironic means of subversion in an age of polarization.
Subversive Discourse is a platform designed to stimulate a depth of critical thinking across a spectrum of topics.
The only subject that’s categorically off-limits is specifically religious content. However, an exploration of religion as a socio-cultural phenomenon may be explored when it intersects another field like history. Admittedly the line is a bit fuzzy, so pieces that straddle the border will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Contributors certainly may acknowledge how their spiritual perspectives influence their other outlooks, but deep-dives into religious themes are reserved for our sister site, The Sacred Humanists.
Author
People who truly are open to new ideas value curiosity, enjoy examining their own presuppositions, long to be challenged in a respectful manner, welcome a diversity of perspectives, and are tired of the ignorant rancor that characterizes our cultural moment.↩
Even more pernicious are those who neither know nor care, but are simply offering opinions of falsified information for the sheer sport of it.↩
General fields may include history, psychology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, biology, epidemiology, sexuality, communication, gender studies, political science, race reconciliation, cultural commentary, sports and pop culture, or the arts.↩
