I am not the smartest guy in the room, but nevertheless I have this theory. Hear me out.
It is not a sophisticated theory. It will not earn me a grant from a faculty of social justice studies; there will be no TED Talk delivered by a woman sporting geometric eyeglasses while explaining how yoga can be decolonized. Nevertheless, it explains more about modern politics than most academic literature devoted to the subject.
My theory? Much of modern activism functions like a sale at Bath & Body Works.
Buy two candles. Get three free. Plus a loofah. Get a tote bag - plus a coupon for your next ideological purchase.
I confess this sort of marketing schtick appeals to idiots like me. I am not fully sure what a loofah is, and I do not think I have one in my shower. I have almost no sense of smell because of COVID and nasal polyps, so scented candles are entirely wasted on me. I would be an ideal employee to work in a workplace full of rot, decay and stink. But I have no political ambition.
Yet…




