Thread by @GreeneMan6

In Schmitt's words, politics is "Friend-Enemy". But how can we “find our frens” among the anonymous inter-webs? Here are the things I look for, the “Fren Manifesto” in 20 parts. 🧵

Frens follow an ordered moral system consistent with the humanity's survival, independence, and communion with a Higher Power. 1/🧵

Frens understand modernity threatens human thriving, and the roots of this problem run through the presuppositions of the liberal world order itself. 2/🧵

Frens understand that part of the solution will be erecting boundaries (individual & collective) against modernity. Frens respect other frens boundaries. 3/🧵

Frens make promises and keep them. Frens ask for loyalty, and give it (when warranted). 4/🧵

Frens know their core loyalties and perscriptive moral system. When possible, they make them explicit (beware the “view from nowhere!”) 5/🧵

Frens try to understand other frens’ core loyalties not mock them. 6/🧵

Frens don't dox or harass. Frens don't direct cancellation efforts against non-public personalities or non-institutional targets. 7/🧵

Frens don't punch right, refrain from moralistic denouncements, reframe disagreements as intellectual issues. 8/🧵

Frens refrain from insulting the core loyalties of other Frens. Insults to wives, mothers, daughters, and religious divinities are fighting words. Be aware kids. 9/🧵

Frens are careful with insults directed at secondary loyalties (nation / race), which should be either obvious jokes or purely intellectual examinations (no spite). 10/🧵

Frens are careful not to counter-signal other frens. Don’t hop on the bandwagon of enemy counter narratives, disagreements should use different language, have different "ant smell". 11/🧵

Frens defend their own community, and respect the boundaries of other frens (individual and collective). A closed door is not an insult. Being a Fren doesn't mean you belong everywhere. 12/🧵

Frens are either strong enough to hold the line or prudent enough to make room for others who can 13/🧵

Frens de-escalate serious drama, dissolve disagreements, make differences in language and morality clear. 14/🧵

Frens are always building. Technology when necessary. Art when possible. Family and community as part of ordinary life. 15/🧵

Frens understand that self-improvement is a political act. Health (both spiritual and physical) is a primary political end. 16/🧵

Frens look for more frens when possible (build that coalition!) 17/🧵

Frens help other friends improve and take constructive criticism with humility. 18/🧵

Frens are forviging. We all make mistakes. 19/🧵

And finally, if all this is too complicated, we will recognize other frens "by their fruits". Be excellent to each other! 20/🧵