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Activism has shaped the course of history, no doubt about it. From the abolition of slavery to civil rights, feminism, and environmentalism, activism has been the driving force behind some of humanity’s greatest leaps forward.

But what happens when the battles are, for the most part, won? Here’s a controversial idea: some activists seem to hate a solved problem.

Activism thrives on causes, and without a cause, it seems lost. 

Some people need conflict to feel alive, even if the conflict is self-made or artificial. 

And some don't mind fighting battle for someone else if it avoids focusing on their own lack of purpose to channel all that restless energy into.

When people feel unmoored or insignificant, they often latch onto a cause, even if it’s something that might not warrant the level of passion or conflict they bring to it. It gives them a sense of identity, a way to define themselves and feel like they’re making an impact, even if the cause itself is questionable or overly manufactured.

In "Rebel Without a  Cause "  ( made  in 1955 ) Jim Stark’s rebellion wasn’t terrible by most standards -  he had a family, lived in a decent home, and didn’t face any extraordinary hardships. But that lack of struggle, that feeling of being adrift in a world that did not demand much of him, became its own kind of crisis. He starts to rebel against authority, his parents, and even societal expectations because he needs to feel somethingto stand for something, even if it’s hard for him to pinpoint.

 

The same thing plays out today. We see people throwing themselves into fights that might be minor in the grand scheme, or even creating outrage where it doesn’t actually exist. It’s not necessarily malicious - it’s human. We all want to matter, to leave a mark, and if the world isn’t offering a clear purpose, we invent one.

There is also this.

In his book Intellectuals and Race, Thomas Sowell makes an interesting point. He says one of the most destabilising things that can happen in a modern society is when you get this growing group of newly educated "intelligentsia."

 

"The intellectuals have told them that the world is unjust."

And a lot of these people are graduates from university programmes in the "softer" academic fields, rather than the sciences.

The problem is, in my opinion,  many of them don't have any practical, marketable skills. And with limited job opportunities out there, they end up forming this group of people who are supposedly educated but employable. And whose lives are utterly meaningless.

They are Rebels without a Cause.... so naturally,  they will search to find one.  

Before WWII, teachers, lawyers, students and other 'intellectual elite' in Central Europe became the foot soldiers of anti-Semitic authoritarianism. Most were 'first-generation intellectuals' from middle-class families who felt entitled to enhanced status and wealth from their university degrees. When that 'right' didn't materialise, they blamed the relatively large numbers of Jews in universities and professions. And thus, a cause was created. 

It's no surprise then that today, university humanities departments are once again hotbeds of virulent, violent anti-Semitism - even generations after WWII.

The resurgence of overt anti-Semitism among the 'intelligentsia' is a recent development. After the war, their self-proclaimed moral superiority made such hatred unacceptable in their circles. It's only by rebranding Jews as 'oppressors' , following the horror of  7th of January  2023, that they can now spew this obvious hate with clear consciences.

While Jews are the current target, identity politics has always been the same. The very ones who prattle on about 'the other' are masters at 'othering'. When their own lives are relatively comfortable, they take on the perceived injustices being inflicted on others to justify their own lack of merit and worth.  

OIP

But getting back to the idea that once an activist catches the bug, there seems no cure..... 

It is as though activists are constantly reinventing their grievances to stay relevant. Their “activism” illustrates the flip side of the coin: even when society moves on, those deeply invested in a cause will often cling to it or find a new one to justify their existence. Hate, like activism, seems to need a home.

OIP 2

Environmentalism once conjured images of saving whales, planting trees, and preserving the natural world in harmony with human activity. Movements like "Save the Whales" or campaigns to combat deforestation rallied millions around the globe. The message was simple: protect ecosystems, minimise harm, and work alongside nature. But over time, the movement has shifted. Today, environmentalism often advocates large-scale industrial projects like wind farms, solar arrays, and offshore energy developments. While these projects aim to combat " climate change ", they can ironically conflict with the movement’s original goals of conservation and sustainability. ) But more on that later.

The LGBTQ+ rights movement has achieved unheard of milestones in recent decades. Marriage equality is now the law of the land in many countries, and social acceptance has grown exponentially. However, some activists have shifted their focus to ever more niche cultural battles.

For example, debates over language, pronouns, and representation in media often dominate the current conversation. Some activists struggle to let go of the “fight mode” mentality, even when broader acceptance has largely been achieved in many places. For myself, I  am still stuck in common sense mode... 

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Why does activism persist, even when its goals are achieved? The answer might lie in human psychology. Activists dedicate themselves to causes with passion and conviction. That sense of purpose becomes a core part of their identity. When the problem is solved, what happens to that identity? For many, the idea of “purpose fulfilled” isn’t satisfying; they need a new fight to keep the momentum going.

Activism has been a force for good throughout history, toppling injustices and transforming societies. Think of the Suffragettes. But it’s worth asking: when do movements cross the line from meaningful change to fighting for the sake of fighting? Whether it’s the battle against  the lingering remnants of hate groups, one thing is clear: activists need a cause. When one cause fades, another often takes its place - for better or worse.

Perhaps the challenge for future movements isn’t just winning battles but knowing how to declare victory and evolve gracefully. After all, the ultimate goal of activism should be to make itself unnecessary, not eternal.

Perhaps the answer is a very simple one. Find purpose in your own life and stop fighting nonexistent battles on someone else's behalf in order to avoid the truth: That their own life is worthless and without meaning.

Get a job. Raise a family. Find Joy instead of Hate. But that's another article..... 

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