Islamophobia and the Internet

[Jimmie Higgins]

http://www.counterpunch.org/sparrow07292011.html

I don't agree with this counter-punch article because I think it over-suggests that a rise in far-right politics is somehow due to the internet culture rather than a general trend to the right in mainstream politics with an economic crisis on top of that is the underlying cause. It's sort of an inverse of the argument that the internet is inherently "democratizing" and undermines hierarchies (also an argument I think is unconvincing). I do think, however, that the internet as a tool does allow some subjective advantages or disadvantages such as easy of organizing and getting ideas out there. In regards to fascism, the interned has helped the NAZIs and far-right organize more because of the anonymity it allows, but it is not the underlying cause of increased far-right political ideas IMO. Anyway, I found it an interesting read despite my skepticism of the central argument.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Hitler famously wrote of how his mass marches served to 'burn[…] into the small, wretched individual the proud conviction that, paltry worm as he was, he was nevertheless a part of a great dragon.'

I like this quote.

[marl]

I'm not to sure. Due to Islamophobia you end up with people, say, supporting Swedish Democrats (a fascist party). Although the people that join these parties don't understand the concept of Nazism and fascism as an ideology, they slowly become exposed to it.