"...confrontational messages... designed to make others uncomfortable."
May 9, 2017 7:41 AM Subscribe
In 1835, abolitionists discovered a new way to use the postal system. (PDF) The explosion of anger and outrage which followed transformed the debate over slavery, free speech, the role of women in politics, the bounds of polite public discourse, the ability of isolated farmers to participate in national debate, and the nature of Christianity.
There were multiple reverberations in the North; first, anger at the abolitionists for raising arguments best left quiet; then, anger at Southerners for insisting that free speech rights be curtailed. Underlying the transformation of public discussion was the steam engine. "Without steam technology - needed to power the printers producing the pamphlets and the boats carrying them south - the mail campaign could never have taken off."
There were multiple reverberations in the North; first, anger at the abolitionists for raising arguments best left quiet; then, anger at Southerners for insisting that free speech rights be curtailed. Underlying the transformation of public discussion was the steam engine. "Without steam technology - needed to power the printers producing the pamphlets and the boats carrying them south - the mail campaign could never have taken off."
Disgusting example of the worst excesses of callout culture, imo
posted by ominous_paws at 7:58 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by ominous_paws at 7:58 AM on May 9, 2017 [7 favorites]
Well I've read the abstract....
New tech, new way to sway voters, lots of handwringing? That's not callout culture, that's Cambridge Analytica.
Though now i'm wondering if they're just two sides of the same coin.
posted by Leon at 8:04 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
New tech, new way to sway voters, lots of handwringing? That's not callout culture, that's Cambridge Analytica.
Though now i'm wondering if they're just two sides of the same coin.
posted by Leon at 8:04 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
The pro-slavery article denouncing that the abolitionists were radicalizing the population "and infused into them such a fanatical and intolerant spirit"
Interesting to see that the arguments from the right apparently haven't changed. Then, as now, they demand that we on the left must tolerate their intolerance, hatred, and bigotry.
And whining then about being no-platformed. Nothing changes, does it?
posted by sotonohito at 8:12 AM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]
Interesting to see that the arguments from the right apparently haven't changed. Then, as now, they demand that we on the left must tolerate their intolerance, hatred, and bigotry.
And whining then about being no-platformed. Nothing changes, does it?
posted by sotonohito at 8:12 AM on May 9, 2017 [12 favorites]
sotonohito: seditious and traitorous, too.
"... that a meeting opposed to the Abolitionists was held in that town on the 22d ult., ..."
What's "22d ult."? 22nd of this month?
posted by Leon at 8:16 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
"... that a meeting opposed to the Abolitionists was held in that town on the 22d ult., ..."
What's "22d ult."? 22nd of this month?
posted by Leon at 8:16 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
the man of twists and turns: That's a big pdf.
Why thank you.
It's also an interesting read - the first half of it or so, anyway. I'll admit that I stopped reading when I got to the theory part.
posted by clawsoon at 8:16 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
Why thank you.
It's also an interesting read - the first half of it or so, anyway. I'll admit that I stopped reading when I got to the theory part.
posted by clawsoon at 8:16 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
What's "22d ult."? 22nd of this month?
"Ultimo (often abbreviated ult.): Ultimo or Ultimo Mense is a Latin term/phrase that refers to an occurrence from last month."
as opposed to
"Instant (often abbreviated inst.): This term refers to a recent occurrence in the present or current month"
or
"Proximo (often abbreviated prox.): Proximo refers to something that will occur in the future, or next month"
From this helpful article: "Understanding Terms Found in Historical Newspapers"
posted by jedicus at 8:18 AM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]
"Ultimo (often abbreviated ult.): Ultimo or Ultimo Mense is a Latin term/phrase that refers to an occurrence from last month."
as opposed to
"Instant (often abbreviated inst.): This term refers to a recent occurrence in the present or current month"
or
"Proximo (often abbreviated prox.): Proximo refers to something that will occur in the future, or next month"
From this helpful article: "Understanding Terms Found in Historical Newspapers"
posted by jedicus at 8:18 AM on May 9, 2017 [13 favorites]
Interesting. I wonder if this was really the first time the postal system was used for a "junk mail" campaign, or if it was just the first time it was used for a political mass-mailing campaign. At any rate, very savvy of the abolitionists.
"Race and gender barred huge segments of America's population from participating in the
political public sphere; but anyone could receive mail, even slaves, and thus participate in this
literary public sphere of ideas."
posted by pendletonsdatter at 10:53 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
"Race and gender barred huge segments of America's population from participating in the
political public sphere; but anyone could receive mail, even slaves, and thus participate in this
literary public sphere of ideas."
posted by pendletonsdatter at 10:53 AM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
Using Jurgen Habermas's theory of public and private spheres as a frame for analysis,
*twitch*
Habermas. Now that's a name I've not heard in some time.
Cool paper, on a campaign I'd literally never heard of before. Thanks!
posted by Mayor West at 11:10 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
*twitch*
Habermas. Now that's a name I've not heard in some time.
Cool paper, on a campaign I'd literally never heard of before. Thanks!
posted by Mayor West at 11:10 AM on May 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
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posted by the man of twists and turns at 7:57 AM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]