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In times of extremes, extremists win. Their ideology…

“In times of extremes, extremists win. Their ideology becomes a religion, anyone who doesn't puppet their views is seen as an apostate, a heretic or a traitor, and moderates in the middle are annihilated. Fiction writers are particularly suspect because they write about human beings, and people are…” quote by Margaret Atwood
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““In times of extremes, extremists win. Their ideology becomes a religion, anyone who doesn't puppet their views is seen as an apostate, a heretic or a traitor, and moderates in the middle are annihilated. Fiction writers are particularly suspect because they write about human beings, and people are morally ambiguous. The aim of ideology is to eliminate ambiguity.””

Margaret Atwood

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Extremist ideologies turn into dogma, silencing dissent and erasing nuance, while moderates are crushed.

In simple terms: Extremism kills nuance and harms moderates.

Key Takeaway

Guard against ideological rigidity.

Themes

politics extremism moderation

Mood

warning analytical

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • political activism
  • media literacy
  • education
  • community organizing

Key Concepts

sociology philosophy psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How to protect moderate voices?
  • What signs indicate rising extremism?
A Different Perspective

Extremism can also arise from legitimate grievances.

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