Prof. Golan sachar and Dr. Kobby Barda on Malignant Self-Criticism, and Pathways to Antisemitism

The transcription discusses the reactions, or lack thereof, on college campuses after attacks in Israel. It mentions an academic article that explores the complexity of the issue and connects it to geopolitics, psychology, and social media algorithms. The article highlights a disconnect where some college students are vocal against sexual violence but remain silent or hostile towards violence against Israelis. It introduces the concept of a "green-red alliance" involving pro-Palestinian student groups and the influence of TikTok's algorithm in shaping biased narratives. The article suggests that this alliance creates a hostile environment for Jewish students and raises questions about who controls information and shapes narratives. It explores the psychological concept of malignant self-criticism and how certain narratives exploit vulnerability in young adults. These narratives oversimplify the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and label anyone who doesn't fully condemn Israel as complicit. Hey, everyone. Thanks for joining us for another deep dive. This one is going to be pretty heavy. Yeah. Definitely not exactly lighthearted subject matter today. We're talking about those reactions or sometimes lack thereof that we've been seeing on college campuses after the attacks in Israel. And this academic article that you sent over, it's dense. Yeah, it's a tough read. It really digs into this complicated issue with a lot of different angles. Absolutely. It's not like a simple, this is right or this is wrong. It really tries to unpack why this is happening. Exactly. And it kind of challenges us to think critically, even if it gets a little uncomfortable. Which is important, right? We have to be able to have these tough discussions. Definitely. So to kind of sum it up, this article basically says that there's this weird disconnect we're seeing where some college students are really vocal against things like sexual violence, but then they're totally silent or even worse, hostile towards the violence against Israelis. Yeah. Interesting observation. And what's even more interesting is that it doesn't just focus on that sort of disconnect or contradiction. It tries to tie it to these bigger issues like international relations, psychology, social media algorithms. It's like they're saying all these things are connected. That's exactly what jumped out at me too. You don't often see a paper that connects geopolitics and what's essentially the teenage psyche. Right. It's a unique approach for sure. So they make a pretty compelling case for why these things are all related. Okay. So let's break it down a little bit because the article keeps mentioning this green-red alliance. Yeah. And I got to be honest, it sounds a little bit like a superhero team have gone wrong. Right. It definitely has that kind of ring to it. But in this case, it's more like a clash of ideologies with some pretty serious potential consequences. Okay. So what are we talking about here when we say green? So they're using green to represent those pro-Palestinian student groups that we see on a lot of campuses. You know, groups like Students for Justice in Palestine or SJP. Right. Okay. And SJP has been around for a while. Yeah. Pretty active on a lot of college campuses. But where does the red come in? This is where it gets interesting and honestly a little unnerving. Okay. I'm intrigued. They're talking about the influence of TikTok. TikTok? Yeah. TikTok is in the app that like everybody and their grandma is using these days. Wait, hold on. TikTok? The one with the dance crazes and like funny cat videos? That's the one. What does that have to do with anything we're talking about? That's the million-dollar question, right? And the article tries to answer that by digging into some claims about TikTok's algorithm and how it might be pushing certain narratives. So you're saying that even if I'm just on TikTok to watch, you know, silly videos and whatever's trending, I could still be fed this like biased information? Essentially, yes. And it gets even more unsettling when you start looking at the research that suggests that TikTok might be using facial recognition technology? Facial recognition? Really? Yeah. And the idea is they could potentially be analyzing your emotional responses to different videos. So like say you watch a video that's critical of Israel and you seem even mildly engaged. Maybe you watch the whole thing or you rewatch it. Right. The algorithm picks up on that and starts feeding you even more extreme content. That's a little creepy, not going to lie. It's definitely a bit unsettling, especially because we don't really know the extent of it. There's not a lot of transparency from TikTok about how their algorithms work or how they moderate content. So we've got TikTok potentially feeding people biased information and we've got these pro-Palestinian student groups. But how do those two things connect? How does that translate to what's happening on college campuses? Well, that's where I think this red-green alliance idea comes into play. It's like these two forces kind of working in tandem. Okay. I'm listening. So you've got people maybe being exposed to these biased viewpoints online and then they get to college and they walk right into this echo chamber where those views are reinforced and amplified. It's like a one-two punch. Exactly. And the article argues that it's not just about opinions either. It can create a really hostile environment for Jewish students. Because they're constantly being surrounded by people who are saying that their identity is the problem. Right. And that arguably suggests that this isn't all happening by accident. There might be a more deliberate strategy at play here. Okay. Now we're getting into conspiracy theory territory. Not quite. But they do make a pretty bold claim. Remember those SJP chapters we talked about? Yeah. The article says that a lot of them are getting funding from Qatar. Qatar. Like the World Cup people. The one and the same. Okay. Now I'm really lost. What does a country like Qatar have to do with college campuses in America? It all comes down to this idea of soft power. Soft power. Yeah. Essentially it means using influence rather than force to achieve your goals. Yeah. And Qatar has a big interest in shaping global narratives, particularly around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. So they're using their money to influence what's being taught and discussed on college campuses. That's the gist of it. And that's where this green-red alliance gets really interesting and concerning. You've got potential bias in algorithms shaping opinions online. And then you've got foreign actors potentially bankrolling groups that are echoing those same biases on campus. Wow. That's a lot to unpack. It's this tangled web of influence. And it's hard to see where one thing ends and another begins. Exactly. And it raises these bigger questions about who's controlling the information we see, who's shaping these narratives, and what the consequences are for all of us. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. This article goes even deeper, looking at the psychological factors at play here. Yeah. And that's where things get really interesting and, honestly, a bit disturbing. Yeah. And that's where things get really interesting and, honestly, a bit disturbing. This is where the article takes a turn from geopolitics and algorithms into the realm of psychology. OK. So you're talking about that whole malignant self-criticism thing they keep bringing up. Exactly. Because I've got to be honest, I'm not totally sure I even know what that means. Yeah. It's kind of a heavy concept. But it basically means, like, setting these impossibly high moral standards for yourself and then constantly beating yourself up for failing to meet them. So it's like self-reflection, but, like, way more intense and kind of toxic. Yeah. Exactly. Instead of healthy self-improvement, it's a cycle of guilt and self-flagellation. OK. I get that. But how does that tie back to what we were talking about before? Like, how does this idea of malignant self-criticism connect to Israel and college campuses? Well, the article argues that certain narratives can really exploit this vulnerability in young adults. When you say narratives, you mean, like, the stuff about white guilt and all that? Exactly. Because those narratives can sometimes create this breeding ground for malignant self-criticism. You've got young people who are already trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world. And then you layer on this sense of guilt and blame. And then they're told that they need to atone for these past wrongs. Right. And the article argues that groups like SJP are really good at tapping into that. They present this very black-and-white narrative where Israel is the aggressor and Palestinians are the victims. Which obviously ignores a lot of the nuance and complexity of that whole situation. Exactly. It's a huge oversimplification. But within that framework, anyone who doesn't fully condemn Israel is seen as complicit. So even if you're just trying to have a nuanced conversation or present a different perspective, you're automatically labeled as part of the problem. Right. And that's where the psychological vulnerability comes in. Because if you're already struggling with this sense of guilt and you're looking for a way to make things right, you're much more susceptible to that kind of black-and-white thinking. So it's like this perfect storm. You've got social media algorithms potentially pushing biased information. You've got foreign actors, maybe funding groups that echo those biases. And then on top of all that, you've got this psychological vulnerability that might make people even more susceptible to those messages. Exactly. It's a pretty disturbing trend. And the article doesn't shy away from talking about the potential consequences. Because this isn't just about people having different opinions. Right. It goes way beyond that. The article actually lays out what it calls a radicalization pipeline. A radicalization pipeline. Yeah, that's their term for it. Okay. That sounds a little ominous. It's definitely a bit intense. So basically they're saying, imagine someone who's encountered some of this biased information online, maybe through a skewed algorithm. And they get to college and they're immediately drawn into this echo chamber where those biases are validated and amplified. And that validation often comes from groups like SJP using these really strategic tactics that prey on that sense of guilt we were just talking about. Exactly. It becomes less about having a conversation and more about shutting down any opposing viewpoints. Which is kind of ironic considering that college is supposed to be all about free speech and open dialogue. Right. You'd think so. But the article argues that these groups are actually creating these environments where only one viewpoint is acceptable. And anyone who disagrees is silenced. Exactly. And that's where this whole from the river to the sea thing comes in. I've heard that phrase before, but I have to admit, I don't really know what it means. On the surface, it might sound kind of harmless. Right. Like a call for unity or something. Yeah. But in this context, it actually means something much more extreme. It's advocating for the dismantling of Israel as a Jewish state. Wow. I had no idea. So it's basically erasing Israel's right to exist. Right. And the article points out that this isn't just about words either. There have been cases of Jewish students being harassed, threatened, even physically attacked on campuses because of their support for Israel. That's awful. It's like we're talking about two different realities here. On the one hand, you've got this idea of college as a place for open dialogue and debate. But then you've got this other side where people are being silenced and even attacked for expressing their views. Exactly. And the article makes a point of saying that this isn't just an American thing either. These trends are popping up on campuses all over the world. So what do we do about it? It feels like a really overwhelming problem. It's definitely a lot to process, but I think the first step is just being aware of what's going on. That's why conversations like this are so important. Right. And we have to be willing to talk about these issues even when they're uncomfortable. Absolutely. And we have to be critical consumers of information, especially online. It's so easy to get caught up in whatever's trending, but we can't just accept everything at face value. We have to be willing to ask questions, to do our own research, to seek out different perspectives. Exactly. And if you see something that seems off, don't be afraid to speak up to challenge those harmful narratives. It's about making sure that everyone feels safe and respected, regardless of their background or their beliefs. It's easy to get caught up in all this big picture stuff, algorithms and geopolitics and all that. Right. But we have to remember that this is really impacting real people. Actual students are dealing with this stuff every day. Exactly. And it's not just an intellectual exercise. This has real emotional and psychological consequences for the students who are living through it. So let's talk about that for a minute. What does this actually look like for a Jewish student who's trying to navigate this kind of campus environment? Well, imagine you're constantly being told that your identity is the problem, that your very existence is a form of oppression. Yeah. You're always looking over your shoulder wondering if someone's going to call you out for something you said or even just for being there. Exactly. It creates this constant anxiety, the feeling of never truly belonging. And that can have a huge impact on you mentally and emotionally. It's like you can't even relax and focus on your studies because you're always on edge. Right. And those experiences can have a ripple effect. They can stay with you long after you graduate and shape how you see yourself and how you interact with the world. And it's not just the students who are being targeted either, right? Yeah. What about the students who get pulled into this pipeline who actually become radicalized? That's the other side of this. And it's equally concerning because when you're constantly surrounded by this one viewpoint, when you're never exposed to alternative perspectives, it can really warp your worldview. You start seeing everything in black and white, good guys and bad guys. Exactly. And you lose that ability to think critically, to see nuance, to engage in good faith debate. And that's a dangerous thing. Because those skills aren't just important in college. They're essential for being an engaged and informed citizen. Right. And if we're not careful, we end up creating these little islands of extremism that eventually bleed out into the mainstream. And that's a terrifying thought. So where do we go from here? How do we break this cycle? Well, there's no easy answer. Unfortunately, there's no magic wand we can wave to make this all go away. Right. But it starts with awareness, with having these difficult conversations, with shining a light on these harmful narratives. And with being critical consumers of information, especially online, because it's so easy to get swept up in whatever's trending on social media. Absolutely. We have to be willing to question what we see to seek out diverse perspectives to think for ourselves. Yeah. If we see something that seems off or feels wrong, we can't be afraid to speak up to challenge those harmful narratives. Exactly. We have to be willing to stand up for what we believe in, even when it's uncomfortable. Because at the end of the day, this is about creating a world where everyone feels safe and respected, where we can have open and honest dialogue without fear of reprisal. And it's about remembering that complexity is okay. That there are often multiple truths, multiple perspectives. And that the only way we're going to move forward is by engaging with that complexity, not by trying to silence it. Well said. So yeah, I think that's a good place to leave it for today. Yeah, I think so too. But this conversation doesn't end here. Definitely not. Keep thinking critically, keep asking those tough questions, and keep pushing for a better, more just, and more equitable world. And thanks for joining us for another Deep Dive. We'll see you next time.