Purity spirals

[RoyalCorgi]

This is a brilliant piece by Gavin Haynes, tied to a radio programme, about the concept of "purity spirals" - the idea that's taken hold in certain groups that you have to continually demonstrate your ethical credentials. The example he gives is anti-racism in the knitting world, but obviously it can apply equally trans activism. Anyone who isn't 100% pure is regarded as morally beyond the pale. He makes historical analogies with Maoism, amongst other things. Fascinating - and spot on.

unherd.com/2020/01/cast-out-how-knitting-fell-into-a-purity-spiral/

Warning: non PC content probably. I've been involved with online knitting/crafting communities since 2000. I wonder if there was some sort of pent up tension (as it were) as a formerly quite solitary hobby exploded into now a huge network of designers, blogs, chat rooms. People get very invested and I think it does attract people with a lot of time on their hands (because who else has time to knit that much) , who might be quite isolated IRL, have long term health problems etc. But the shared interest and lots of affirmation means you develop quite intense relationships - I made some great friends and met lovely people as well as getting considerably more skilled.

The other thing is the determination to find causes, and charities and join in with campaigns, knit-alongs etc. Some of these have been fantastic like the MN woolly hugs, but sometimes I wonder if the need being met is more about the knitter themself. It's a small step from this to trying to fix all the ills of the world with knitting (bushfire? Knit koala hats or whatever it was ) and now here we are.

I've been too busy with children and work in the last few years to really follow all this luckily. I tend to step away when common sense has left the building. It's such a shame but maybe this close, slightly emotional community was unwittingly an ideal breeding ground for the purity spiral phenomenon. I understand the quilting community is quite fierce too. Also the whole blogging/social media thing, you have to find some sort of brand for yourself, encourages bringing identity into it all. I hope we come out the other side.

I wonder whether it's also something to do with a useful activity, making things to wear or use, making things to sell, having changed into a recreational activity. To avoid this simply being a time sink it has to have imported into it some great purpose, to be part of saving the world. Which would fit in nicely with female socialisation.

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The women have been caught acting like people again. Shocking!

I don't imagine anyone thought they weren't. It's really ok to talk about it.

'but sometimes I wonder if the need being met is more about the knitter themself. It's a small step from this to trying to fix all the ills of the world with knitting (bushfire? Knit koala hats or whatever it was ) and now here we are.'

I think you are spot on.

Yes, I think that's a really interesting aspect of charity knitting/sewing (I am a long-time crafter too). It's partly a sincere desire to help, and to use one's own particular talent to contribute. But I think there's probably also some "This lets me feel good about ME" aspect too, and lack of reflection on whether what's being produced is remotely useful in the particular situation.

I'm guessing that knitting is a particular hotbed of online activity as it's relatively cheap, easy, and portable to get started withdoesn't require a sewing machine, knitting a basic hat isn't as fiddly as learning dressmaking techniques, etc. So it will appeal to a large number of people, especially young people who don't have the income or the space for more elaborate crafting setup yet. Though it would be interesting to see the ages and circumstances of those out baying for blood in these casesis it really young people (who might have very black and white views partly because of their age), or are there actually a lot of middle-aged keyboard warriors?

Of the ones I've noticed, mostly twenties and thirties I reckon.

It's an interesting point about saving the world and feeling good about yourself while doing your hobby. It makes sense. A bit like the way people run marathons or do sponsored hikes for charity when they just enjoy running or an active holiday.

The koala thing is interesting. There is definitely an element of being able to say, "look what I did to help!"

At the start of January, a long-standing Australian group put out a call for items to be made (pouches, sleeping bags, nests) for animals displaced by the bushfires. Immediately people sprang into action around the world, some coordinated, some not.

The Australian group asked people to stop making and sending things, as they were inundated, and suggested donating money instead. They were largely ignored. Lots of messages like "if they don't need it now, they'll need it soon!"

Now, some international groups coordinated with airlines or people already flying to Oz to take things in their luggage. Fine. Others sent things individually, which is ludicrously expensive. An example was given of an American who sent something that wasn't even on the wish list, at a postage cost of over USD200...200 dollars which could have been donated to a charity giving the animals food, medicines, and so on.

The Aussie group thanked everybody then politely begged them to stop, yet again calling for monetary donations instead. Some people went crazy, calling them ungrateful, and insisted that they were not going to stop making things for the animals.

In the end, the Aussie group started sharing patterns for toys etc that could be sold to raise money, and people seem to have calmed down a bit.

Of the ones I've noticed, mostly twenties and thirties I reckon.

I agree. Older crafters are less bothered by wokeness.

Now, some international groups coordinated with airlines or people already flying to Oz to take things in their luggage. Fine. Others sent things individually, which is ludicrously expensive.

This is a really good point and is true in fact of all disaster relief. If there's an earthquake, say, or a hurricane, in a far-off country much the best thing to do is send money so the necessary items can be bought in that country. Two reasons: one, they can buy exactly what is needed at any given time, and two, transporting goods by air is extremely expensive and hence wasteful.

I do think it's OK to get a warm fuzzy feeling from being helpful - where there is benefit all round. For example it would be more cost-effective and useful for people to donate money straight to food banks (according to my food bank) but they have those collection points in supermarkets because people are more likely to choose something and put it in because it makes them feel good. And I do understand that - and I think there is a positive aspect to thinking about others' needs, thinking of their POV etc. At least in some situations.

But what's important is that we understand that and can listen if we are told we're not helping. A lot of people can't and that happens on a personal level as well as a charity level. Like my mum and so many parents and PILS you hear about on here who get angry when asked to reduce excessive gift-giving. I can totally imagine the koala thing and people just not wanting to listen - and not reflecting and seeing how actually it's all about them wanting to feel good. And with purity spirals, needing to be seen to be a morally righteous person as well.

The Aussie group thanked everybody then politely begged them to stop, yet again calling for monetary donations instead. Some people went crazy, calling them ungrateful, and insisted that they were not going to stop making things for the animals.

Ugh, how can people be so lacking in self-awareness.

This is fascinating and puts into words what I have been feeling about this hyper woke culture for a while. It's taking activism to a stage where rather than calling for inclusiveness it is creating division. Everyone wants to be in the oppressed category rather than the oppressor by hook or crook (crocheting hook in this case). It might seem a bit petty in the world of online knitting but where will it go next?

Everyone wants to be in the oppressed category rather than the oppressor by hook or crook

And for those who don't manage to slot themselves into the acceptable category, there is nothing that creates a strong, and even militant sense of group identity more than being despised. The focus of some on denigrating the culture or history of things it calls "white," has a lot to answer for in terms of creating a sense of being white as an identity that needs to be asserted and protected in some parts of the population. A rise in white nationalism is absolutely a predictable result.

Mark Fisher wrote some years back in 2013. His phrase for it was 'The Vampires Castle'

We've had some threads about that - it was a prescient piece.

Everyone wants to be in the oppressed category rather than the oppressor by hook or crook

I'm not sure about that, I think there's definitely an element of being quite happy to be one of the 'privileged' while absolving themselves of any guilt by performance virtue signalling and accusing others...

We've had some threads about that - it was a prescient piece.

I'll have a look, I only came across him recently via Twitter as some people I follow posted about him on the anniversary of his death.

If it wasn't for the mention of Russell Brand's Paxman interview I would honestly have thought it was a recent piece.

Some of the threads where Mark Fisher's piece has been discussed:

www.mumsnet.com/SearchArch?mustmatch=vampire+castle+mark+fisher&dontmatch=&nickname=&src_displ_option=s_m_d_m&fromDate=&toDate=&topicmode=chs&chosentops=5365

Royal Corgi, just listened on the Sounds app; fascinating piece, thank you!

After this thread, I can't unsee this effect everywhere.

The V&A has an exhibition about the kimono and its impact on fashion, and a man has popped up in the comments to complain about cultural appropriation.

It's literally a show about the impact of this garment on fashion.

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The V&A has an exhibition about the kimono and its impact on fashion

I am waiting for the day we have to find a new name for bungalows.

I might spend my weekend cancelling pattern companies who call their sleepwear patterns "pyjamas"...

Do we get this bullshit on recipe sites.

The best pizza/curry/sushi ever....

Or do certain wokeys just love tasty food

That is a very pertinent question, 7Days! Why isn't it cultural appropriation when it's food? Or Scandinavian decor? Or yoga? And why is it acceptable for senior royals to visit Commonwealth countries and dress up as chiefs in local clothing?

Some very selective finger pointing going on.