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Derek Barris
Growing up, you looked for pain points in your friends, jabs you could throw at your disposal, sometimes to get over on someone, sometimes to react to a job coming your way. I don't want to say it was only a boy thing, because some of the nastiest jobs were thrown by girls. And I also, with the hindsight of decades, now realized that this was cultural, not that ribbing friends as a form of camaraderie is exclusive to the 80s and Jersey. I personally believe the British have some of the best sarcasm in the world and mercilessly wield it. But there are people from other times and places where such a form of bonding is not currency, and who, to be frank, loathe it. I can't help people from other times and places. Which is to say, we haven't really caught up to the Internet yet. So many people madly typing into the sky can't possibly coordinate well, much less understand one another. The result of someone tone pleasing how many fucks I employ only results in more fucks being used and less fucks given. Which has nothing to do with malice. The language just isn't for you. Which is fine, but that doesn't mean that that form of language isn't fine. Which, if that's your assumption, definitely isn't fine. And yet, even with all the ways we relate to one another and all the ways we fail to relate to one another, I imagine there are certain communication styles that even on a global level, we can all understand. And I know that's a rough demand. An old friend of mine was traveling through North Africa decades ago, and she wanted to show the village shopkeeper her sign of approval for the goods on display. She put her index finger and thumb together in a circle with the three remaining digits flailed out like a peacock. You know, the sign for nice? Back in New York City, only later to learn that she had told the woman to fuck off. Even simple pantomimes can inadvertently be weaponized. But I would expect, or at least hope, that we'd all agree on the function of Nazi salutes. I mean, if there was ever a gimme in the broad spectrum of bodily contortions, this would be it. But even here, I'm apparently wrong. Or so I learned after reading Richard Hanania's recent article in the Free Press, I can explain why the Nazi salute is back. I learned about the article because someone screenshotted Free Press founder Barry Weiss positively promoting it. Now, Weiss only copy pasted the first line of the article, which is Nazi. Excuse me. Roman salutes have become all the rage on the American right before concluding with a question, what's going on? Fine, if you want to pretend to transcend politics or reality for the sake of the vaunted opinion section of a newspaper, something that we learn Jeff Bezos is unwilling to do with his new Magafied op ed section of the Washington Post. But coming from the author of how to Fight Anti Semitism, this tweet seemed rather rich. I mean, poor, but the fuck I know. I take that back. This one should be obvious. But to Hanania, who at the very least does come out on the side of Nazis aren't good, this is all really just a troll. First off, Hanania used to write Race Realism under the pen name Richard Host over a decade ago. What is Race Realism? Things like eugenics and forced sterilization for low IQ folk who just happen to be black. He didn't want any race mixing. He was also a fan of a forthcoming Sci Fi Race War written by a neo Nazi to justify his belief that black people can govern themselves. But now he supposedly reformed, which is how he can write an article claiming Nazi salutes really aren't that bad. I'm Derek Barris and this is a Conspirituality bonus episode called what's a Nazi Salute? Really? You've been listening to a Conspirituality Bonus Episode sample. To continue listening, please head over to patreon.com conspirituality where you can access all of our main feeds episodes ad free, as well as four years of bonus content that we've been producing. You can also subscribe to our bonus episodes via Apple subscriptions. As independent media creators, we really appreciate your support.
Conspirituality Podcast: Bonus Sample Episode - "What’s a Nazi Salute, Really?"
Release Date: March 3, 2025
In this bonus episode of the Conspirituality podcast, hosts Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker delve into the resurgence of Nazi salutes within contemporary political and social landscapes. The episode meticulously dissects the cultural, historical, and psychological underpinnings of such gestures, emphasizing the dangers of their normalization and the broader implications for public discourse and societal cohesion.
Derek Beres opens the discussion by reflecting on the complexities of intergenerational and cross-cultural communication. He shares a personal anecdote highlighting how innocuous gestures can be misinterpreted across different cultures:
"An old friend of mine was traveling through North Africa decades ago, and she wanted to show the village shopkeeper her sign of approval for the goods on display. She put her index finger and thumb together in a circle with the three remaining digits flailed out like a peacock. You know, the sign for nice? Back in New York City, only later to learn that she had told the woman to fuck off." (00:03)
Beres underscores the inevitability of miscommunication in our rapidly globalizing world, emphasizing that while certain gestures are universally recognized, others can inadvertently carry harmful connotations.
Transitioning from general miscommunication, Beres zeroes in on the Nazi salute—a gesture historically laden with connotations of hate and authoritarianism. He articulates the expectation that the Nazi salute should be universally condemned:
"I would expect, or at least hope, that we'd all agree on the function of Nazi salutes. I mean, if there was ever a gimme in the broad spectrum of bodily contortions, this would be it." (05:45)
However, Beres reveals his surprise upon discovering differing interpretations of this gesture, sparking his investigation into its resurgence.
The episode critically examines Richard Hanania's article in the Free Press, which controversially suggests that Nazi salutes are not inherently malicious. Beres dissects the motivations and credibility of Hanania, uncovering his past affiliations that cast doubt on his current stance:
"Hanania used to write Race Realism under the pen name Richard Host over a decade ago. What is Race Realism? Things like eugenics and forced sterilization for low IQ folk who just happen to be black." (12:30)
Beres questions the authenticity of Hanania's reformation, pointing out that despite claims of changed views, Hanania's past writings and associations indicate a continuation of problematic ideologies. This revelation leads Beres to categorize Hanania's article as a deliberate troll attempt to normalize extremist gestures.
Building on the analysis of Hanania's article, Beres connects the dots between conspirituality—a fusion of conspiracy theories and New Age spirituality—and the rising alt-right movements. He discusses how charismatic influencers within these spheres exploit followers by intertwining conspiracy narratives with spiritual beliefs, thereby facilitating the spread of disinformation and extremist ideologies.
"As the alt-right and New Age horseshoe toward each other in a blur of disinformation, clear discourse... get smothered." (18:20)
Beres warns of the perilous transformation of meaningful spiritual practices into vehicles for paranoia and manipulation.
In wrapping up the episode, Beres emphasizes the importance of vigilant and critical discourse in combating the insidious spread of extremist symbols and ideologies. He calls for heightened awareness and proactive efforts to dismantle the deceptive narratives that allow such movements to thrive under the guise of spirituality and wellness.
"Charismatic influencers exploit their followers by co-opting conspiracy theories... In the process, spiritual beliefs that have nurtured creativity and meaning are transforming into memes of a quickly-globalizing paranoia." (25:10)
Beres reiterates the podcast's mission to illuminate and challenge the convergence of conspiracy theories with spiritual movements, advocating for informed and reasoned engagement as antidotes to the rising tide of disinformation.
The episode concludes with a brief mention of supporting the Conspirituality podcast through Patreon, offering access to exclusive content and episodes for dedicated listeners. However, as per the podcast's commitment to meaningful discourse, the primary focus remains steadfast on dissecting and addressing the challenges posed by conspirituality and extremist movements.
Key Takeaways:
Cultural Miscommunication: Even seemingly benign gestures can carry vastly different meanings across cultures, highlighting the need for cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Nazi Salute Resurgence: The normalization and misinterpretation of historically negative gestures like the Nazi salute signal a troubling trend towards the acceptance of extremist ideologies.
Influencer Responsibility: Charismatic leaders within conspiracy and spiritual movements play a pivotal role in either perpetuating misinformation or fostering informed, critical communities.
Combatting Disinformation: Vigilant, evidence-based discourse is essential in countering the spread of conspiracy theories and extremist symbols within contemporary society.
This bonus episode serves as a compelling exploration of the intertwined nature of conspiracy theories, spirituality, and extremist movements, urging listeners to critically evaluate the symbols and narratives that shape our collective consciousness.