Extremism

I wanted to elaborate upon the point I made earlier about "extremism."  "Extremism" is not merely a concept that has been distorted to mean something else, like the words "selfishness" or "liberalism."  In the context in which it is being used, it is not a concept at all.  In fact, it replaces a potentially legitimate concept, which accounts for its sinister nature - it deliberately deflects and misleads the non-critical thinker.  

The average person hears the word "extremist," looks to his right and left to see if his peers seem to be indignant about it, and follows their lead.  

The damage this type of dishonesty can cause is inestimable.  Perhaps this single word, "extremism," accounts for much of the knee-jerk fear of idealism that we see today.  The word "ideology" is hurled as an accusation in modern political discourse.  Why?  Because it deals with absolutes.  It is inflexible.  It forbids compromise.  If someone will not put aside his principles, he must be "extreme."