130. Queers for Palestine? The Paradoxes of Woke Sadomasochism with Maral Salmassi

You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

Have you ever wondered why far left Gen Z activists idealize foreign cultures halfway across the planet while diminishing their own, to the point of holding beliefs that seem paradoxical or even delusional? Today’s brilliant guest, Maral Salmassi, helps us explore the complex dynamics of the "Queers for Palestine" movement and the sadomasochistic interpersonal dynamics that can emerge within woke culture.

Maral draws on the psychological frameworks of Erich Fromm to unpack the internal conflicts that fuel these behaviors. Are we witnessing a projection of powerlessness that leads to sadistic control over dissenting voices? As we navigate these intricate themes, we also touch on the implications of cluster B personality traits in social movements. In order to better understand ideologically captured youth, what do mature thinkers need to know about psychological phenomena such as splitting, projection, idealization and devaluation, and the Karpman Drama Triangle of victim, rescuer and persecutor?

What role does social media play in amplifying these dynamics, and how does it contribute to identity fragmentation among vulnerable individuals?

Join us as we dissect the paradoxes of ideological purity and the logical fallacies that can arise in the pursuit of social justice. Tune in to discover Maral's insights and my reflections on these pressing questions that resonate deeply in today's cultural landscape. Today’s format deviates from the norm as Maral reads a thoughtfully scripted monologue prepared exclusively for my listeners, and I respond with my asynchronous reflections.

Maral Salmassi was born in Tehran, Iran, and spent her early years in Iran, Jordan, and Israel, where her father was a diplomat under the Shah. Her mother, a literature teacher, nurtured her appreciation for culture and the arts. Following the fall of the Shah and the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war, her family fled Iran in 1986, settling in Germany. Salmassi pursued an education in Media Art in Cologne, which provided a foundation for her future endeavors. She is also a self-taught music producer and sound engineer. Since 1997, she has shaped culture as an artist, producer, and entrepreneur, initially in Cologne and later in Berlin. Her work is influenced by her diverse cultural background and a strong interest in sociopolitics and psychology. She also spent a brief period living in France, contributing to her multicultural perspective.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness by Erich Fromm
• Escape from Freedom by Erich Fromm
• The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff

00:00 Start

[00:00:10] Ideological purity in woke culture.

[00:05:06] Sadomasochism in Queers for Palestine.

[00:08:07] Polarizing content and identity.

[00:12:20] Gameable heuristics in society.

[00:17:34] Victim mentality and self-interest.

[00:20:10] Reaction formation and its implications.

[00:24:46] Woke beliefs and self-interest.

[00:27:25] Sadomasochism and entitlement dynamics.

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Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.

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