Hate as a (de)mobilizer

Abstract

This essay attempts to capture one of the most important aspects of a contemporary system of hatred. Its fundamental feature is that it leads to the normalization of hatred as an important tool for establishing relationships with others, a central means of producing attention within communication capitalism, and a form in which criticism of the system is expressed. The normalization of hatred, in turn, means that even those who seek to eliminate it from social life are forced to resort to it thereby making hatred more powerful as a mobilizer that pushes individuals to act, but also demobilizes them from seeking alternatives to the order that is organized around it. The text reflects on how these processes could be prevented, pointing out, as expressed by Sine N. Just, that we should not so much fight hatred as try to build systems around other, more positive emotions.