The Graveyard of Destructive Ideas

 Victor Davis Hanson discusses how harmful ideas can rapidly transform into accepted social norms and policies in society. This transition often involves elite academic, media, and activist groups pushing novel theories and actions that lack broad public support, leading to significant consequences for institutions and public life.

1. Initiation of Destructive Ideas: These ideas often originate from left-leaning researchers in elite institutions who propose new existential threats, prompting calls for government intervention and public awareness. Examples include climate change concerns and the push for transgender rights.

2. Media and Public Perception: The media collaborates with academia to promote these ideas, labeling dissent as misinformation and casting skeptics in a negative light. Celebrities also join the discourse, further pressuring the public to conform.

3. Funding and Activism: Liberal foundations fund further research and activist groups to bolster support for these ideas. This activism often generates public protests and unrest, creating a narrative that the demand for change is grassroots and widespread.

4. Normalization of Radical Policies: Over time, radical ideas, once seen as outrageous, become normalized in society. For example, transgender rights and the perspectives related to gender identity rapidly gained acceptance in various settings, including schools and the military.

5. Political Reaction and Institutional Compliance: Politicians often align with popular activist sentiments, even when they may not align with the majority public opinion. The actions of law enforcement and immigration policies are framed in ways that align with the new narrative, often disregarding public concern for security and safety.

6. Institutionalization of Ideas: When once-radical thoughts become the norm, institutions begin to enact laws and protocols reflecting these changes, such as gender-neutral bathrooms and the defunding of police, often ignoring public dissent entirely.

7. Public Disillusionment: Sometimes, the public experiences a backlash against these ideas, recognizing the negative consequences of extreme policies. Instances such as rising living costs, crime rates, and perceived hypocrisy among leaders can prompt skepticism and a desire for change.

8. Reinstatement of Traditional Measures: As reality confronts idealism, institutions may reassess and reintroduce once-abandoned practices, such as standardized testing, in response to the shortcomings of policies enacted during earlier trends.

The article concludes that the cycle of embracing destructive ideas often leads to societal disillusionment and eventual rejection of those ideas, as exemplified by recent political and social trends. The narrative of urgent societal change, driven by elite academia and supported by media and activism, may falter when faced with the practical realities experienced by the general populace. Eventually, the public may seek to reclaim common sense and a more balanced approach to governance and societal values.

https://amgreatness.com/2026/02/24/the-graveyard-of-destructive-ideas/