Fox News Channel host Jesse Watters interviewed radical activists for his new book, "Get It Together: Troubling Takes from the Liberal Fringe." He discovered that many activists advocate for far-left politics to address personal issues.
Watters engaged with approximately 24 activists, including those who support ideas like emptying prisons, opening borders, legalizing drugs and prostitution, and toppling statues. Watters refrained from arguing or challenging the viewpoints of the activists he interviewed, recognizing the importance of listening.
The book is divided into 22 chapters, each focusing on an extreme leftist and examining their beliefs and how they developed them. An excerpt released in The New York Post features three activists.
One of the chapters features Joe Carens, a political science professor at The University of Toronto, known for his views on immigration. Carens argues that borders should generally be open, allowing people to settle wherever they choose. He emphasizes the importance of fairness, advocating for changes to existing institutions to make the world fairer.
Watters speculates about Carens' past and its potential influence on his advocacy for fairness arising from his acknowledgment of possible sexual abuse in his childhood. He mentions going to treatment and having psychological aversions, which might be signs of unresolved trauma.
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The connection between his alleged assault and his advocacy for fairer institutions, particularly regarding immigration, is inferred from the idea that protecting vulnerable individuals resonates deeply with personal experiences of vulnerability and abuse. This speculation aims to understand the motivations behind Carens' activism and beliefs.
Another person featured is Hector, a toad smoker. He does not see smoking toad venom as a vice but as a spiritual practice. This psychedelic drug offers a brief but intense journey into the afterlife, according to Hector, who serves as a guide for those interested.
However, his experiences with drugs, including LSD and heroin, hint at more profound struggles. Hector reveals a traumatic past, including being born premature and enduring abuse in childhood. Despite his hardships, he seeks a connection with his father, who has distanced himself from Hector. His story reflects a journey of grappling with personal demons and seeking meaning amid adversity.
Alexandra Cuc is an anti-natalist who opposes having children and runs an organization called Stop Having Kids. Her stance goes beyond environmental concerns; it is deeply personal. Raised in Romania, she has experienced family dynamics shaped by scarcity and emotional distance, exacerbated by her grandmother's disapproval of her mother's pregnancy.
Cuc's upbringing influenced her decision never to have children, leading her to undergo sterilization procedures and encourage her partner to do the same. Despite societal pressures and her teenage pregnancy, she feels relief in her choice. She is committed to advocating for her beliefs.
Watters said that people have problems that seem to get worse and more unusual. With the Internet and political correctness, society makes everything open for discussion. However, you should not expect others to fix your problems, as they are not responsible for those. One way to improve is simply striving to be better than your parents, which should be achievable for many people.
Watters concluded in an interview that many of these individuals do not possess rational belief systems. He sought to understand the underlying reasons behind their beliefs. He found that they may be influenced by personal factors rather than logic, policy, or outcomes. Watters then suggested that some of these activists may have personality disorders.
Watters realized that their unusual beliefs often came from their own difficult experiences. He used to think people's political beliefs were based on what they read or watched. He now saw that personal experiences also play a significant role.
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