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Talk:Frankfurt School conspiracy theory

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Cultural Marxism

Some time ago I read about Cultural Marxism on Misplaced Pages and wanted to read that page again. However Cultural Marxism is now redirected to this article which does not introduce any of the (multiple and conflicting as they may be) commonly used definitions or meanings of Cultural Marxism and essentially gives no information about Cultural Marxism at all. Anyone searching for information about Cultural Marxism and/or the contentious issues will have to find it elsewhere and will remember that they couldn't find anything sensible or relevant about it on Misplaced Pages. If they in addition read the bulk of comments on this page they will likely consider the entire topic hijacked or destroyed by PoV. Not everyone loses but Misplaced Pages and Misplaced Pages editors and contributers certainly all do. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.203.102.57 (talk) 07:50, 30 January 2015 (UTC)

What you read was poorly sourced to the point of being fabrication. The links drawn together and claiming to be definitive on the previous page were so tenuous as to be considered a fiction. You can still read the articles on Cultural materialism (cultural studies) Western Marxism and of course pages for the Frankfurt School, cultural studies and critical theory if you want to know more about modern day leftist interpretations of culture and society. --Jobrot (talk) 12:57, 31 January 2015 (UTC)

That doesn't explain why a search for cultural marxism jumps directly to criticism of the Frankfurt school. Surely a search for a theory should take the reader to the closest article about that theory (which will then have a criticism section). To link directly to criticism appears as heavily POV.--05:00, 2 February 2015 (UTC)~

Unless the term is predominately used to refer to a criticism. Which in this case it is. Hope that clears things up for you Camipco --Jobrot (talk) 04:50, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Fair enough. I see there's been no shortage of ink lost on this, I'll leave it be --Camipco (talk) 05:00, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

This certainly should add to this conversation: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/misadventuring-on-wikipedia/ it is painfully obvious to academics that it is absurd to hand wave away 'cultural marxism' as some obscure conspiracy idea. This is simply embarrassing to Misplaced Pages. Just read the academic papers that routinely use the term. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.131.220.34 (talk) 06:31, 6 February 2015 (UTC)

I have read them, have you? and with their usages varying in meaning, being interchanged with other Schools and concepts, sometimes appearing in the title but not in the body of a work, being used to describe cultures within Marxism, and not actually referring to a movement, and in fact, not even being considered Marxist (a statement made by members of the left as well as the right) - the academic usage (especially post-1980s) is anything other than routine. This irregularity of usage is compounded by the far wider spread of the conspiracy version of the term hence why modern academic usage is now changing to refer to the conspiracy version (see the works of Jérome Jamin). So I disagree with your description of it as 'routine' (as events on Misplaced Pages have shown, it is most definitely a term important to a conservative culture war). --Jobrot (talk) 20:15, 13 February 2015 (UTC)

Term "Fascism" also has plenty of usages and meanings and contexts, yet nobody disputes its page existence on that grounds. Your reasoning is nothing else than biased excuse.89.142.240.13 (talk) 09:44, 20 February 2015 (UTC)

Your analogy might be accurate if we were discussing 'Anarchism' or one of the other wide and generalist political attitudes, but we're discussing claims which seek to create the illusion of a specific and narrow unified movement. Also, if you want more reasons for the article not existing, I suggest you read through the AfD on the topic. --Jobrot (talk) 13:57, 1 March 2015 (UTC)

This argument does not hold ground. There was never an assertion that Cultural Marxism was a unified movement. The phrase is an apt description of the Frankfurt School's influence on the political left and the counter culture.

Washing your hands of the indirect and direct influence of the Frankfurt School on today's political and intellectual environment and shouting "conspiracy theory" doesn't change that.

And is Jay Martin, who is a Marxist intellectual who writes panegyrics of the Frankfurt School and was friends with several of them a reliable source?

None of this holds up to Misplaced Pages's standards for objectivity. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.254.192.122 (talk) 07:16, 12 May 2015 (UTC)

The phrase is certainly aimed at the frankfurt school which is why the term re-directs here. I've also responded to you at the bottom of the page, which is generally where new areas of discussion on talk pages should be created. Thank you --Jobrot (talk) 14:44, 12 May 2015 (UTC)

I used that link because you provided it as evidence for your definition of Cultural Marxism. Are you saying the link you provided as evidence is invalid?

Still not addressing my points. Still have not explained why this is a "conspiracy theory." Still haven't addressed why your sources are unbiased when they have direct connections to the Frankfurt School and Critical Theory. Still haven't addressed the fact that all of the pioneers and major political thinkers of criticism of Cultural Marxism are not fringe and many have academic and journalistic credentials. Still have not accepted that not one person who uses the phrase "Cultural Marxism" uses it as a conspiracy theory. Still haven't addressed that Cultural Marxism is a description of what the left believes and is a term used by critics and describes a tendency, not a unified movement. Still haven't explained why a rewriting of the article from a neutral point of view wouldn't add to Misplaced Pages's quality. Still haven't explained why Jay Martin, a man directly associated with the Frankfurt School and works toward their ideals, is a remotely reliable source

I think you're showing your true colors here. I'm beginning to wonder whether or not there might actually be a conspiracy...(joke). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 05:31, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Wow, I spent the better part of a graduate course titled "Critical Theory" reading the likes of Benjamin, Adorno, Habermas, and others, who were talked about explicitly under the banner of "Cultural Marxism," and now I come to find from Misplaced Pages that this is all just a right-wing conspiracy. Someone really ought to inform the very left-wing, self-identifying Cultural Marxists who occupy professorships all over the Humanities in top research universities all around the U.S. I can't speak for other countries, but "Cultural Marxism" is a normal term for discussion in American universities. To call it a "conspiracy" makes Misplaced Pages into a joke. blert (talk) 09:40, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

So you're suggesting we don't bother with WP:RS and just re-write the article, or perhaps even the whole of Misplaced Pages (the joke) without any sources? --Jobrot (talk) 12:21, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

"Conspiracy Theory" denigration as a deflection of criticism

Strawmanning criticism as in fact believing in a conspiracy theory is a common tactic to use against ideological opposition. Fortunately, the Misplaced Pages project is not a soapboax. The balance of reliable sources does not show this criticism of neo-Marxism to be what is defined by the Misplaced Pages project as a conspiracy theory. Another problem is that cultural Marxism is not coterminous with the Frankfurt School - I think a more reasonable redirect would be to the Critical theory page. 74.93.196.58 (talk) — Preceding undated comment added 16:02, 26 March 2015 (UTC)

Feel free to present here on the talk page, your evidence for this view. All the sources I've looked at refer it more heavily to Cultural Studies and The Frankfurt School as was discussed during the as well as various other places. --Jobrot (talk) 03:59, 28 March 2015 (UTC)

untitled

This makes the consensus of Misplaced Pages look suspiciously bias and subversive, by denying readers the ability to read certain articles relating to criticism of liberal politics. Is this not an electronic encyclopedia? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Tim.Fosner (talk • contribs) 18:51, 27 March 2015 (UTC)

As the comment above yours notes "Misplaced Pages project is not a soapboax". --Jobrot (talk) 03:56, 28 March 2015 (UTC)

I think his point is that it's a soapbox if you're in favor of Cultural Marxism. "Conspiracy Theory" is a serious accusation, especially when there is so much evidence to the contrary linking the thought of the Frankfurt School directly to the counter-culture of the 60's and the politically active left of today.

The article as it stands now simply isn't objective. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.254.192.122 (talk) 05:36, 12 May 2015 (UTC)

Frankly I'm not aware of any reliable academic sources on anyone who self-identifies as a "Cultural Marxist" (not from my research thus far). This is part of why it's considered a conspiracy theory. Further response at the bottom of the talk page. --Jobrot (talk) 14:50, 12 May 2015 (UTC)

Why not self-identify as a "Cultural Marxist"? Perhaps because its more and more their political enemy's term. What conservative like the term "bourgeois philistine"? Kaffeburk (talk) 19:30, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

Trouble with Misplaced Pages Edits

I am trying to access an older version of this article when it was still cited under "Cultural Marxism" for a report. Is there any way of accessing the page prior to the mass edits done to the article? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.196.23.15 (talk) 20:01, 28 March 2015 (UTC)

I don't know what you're referring to but you might be able to find it via the history page: https://en.wikipedia.org/search/?title=Frankfurt_School&action=history — Jeraphine Gryphon  20:09, 28 March 2015 (UTC)

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The information in the prior article didn't meet Misplaced Pages's standards WP:RS for reliable sourcing. It used references from real life books that upon physical inspection didn't contain the text being claimed, and it also took authors out of context to support politically biased (in this case biased towards a conservative conspiracy theory) views. For a longer break down of what was wrong with the previous article, I suggest looking through the the Articles for Deletion debate, which took place here https://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Cultural_Marxism_%282nd_nomination%29#Cultural_Marxism

The prior article was the equivalent of picking a series of unrelated historical and modern day figures and claiming they make up a modern and influential movement. If you want a further debunking of this idea, there is one in my sandbox User:Jobrot/sandbox --Jobrot (talk) 02:16, 29 March 2015 (UTC)

Just curious as to why you seem to be so intent on discrediting those authors. Please just give me a straight answer without your point of view on the subject.

Thank you Jeraphine, your contribution helps. 98.196.23.15 (talk) 06:00, 29 March 2015 (UTC)

If you could point out what you mean when you claim that I'm "intent on discrediting those authors" that would be a helpful start. What I've written in my sandbox (which is by the way, separate from wikipedia's article space, so isn't wikipedia content, but is my personal research on the subject) is what I believe to be an accurate viewpoint. There are over 40 references cited on that page, and more often than not - I'm quoting the authors DIRECTLY. So if I am "discrediting those authors" I'm doing so in their own words and in context. Personally I don't see how that's me discrediting them. That is to say; they discredit themselves with their own erroneous and extraordinary claims. I'm just pointing out how extreme their errors are. If you feel that any of what I've said there is inaccurate, please feel free to enlighten me, as I desire my views on the subject to be as accurate as possible. Thank you --Jobrot (talk) 07:48, 29 March 2015 (UTC)

It seems the discussion ends when I ask for proof. Hence the heading "Conspiracy Theory". --Jobrot (talk) 15:19, 31 March 2015 (UTC)

'Cultural Marxism' is a term that, yes, may be popular with parts of the cultural Right, but it is also used in neutral contexts. Cultural Marxism contrasts with traditional Marxism as it reimagines class struggle from a socioeconomic one based around the forces of production to memberships in supposedly privileged and disprivileged (non-economic) social demographics. If traditional Marxists were found at the old industrial trade unions, Cultural Marxists are mostly located in modern Western universities. The concept obviously overlaps with the Frankfurt School but is not limited to it. Thus, it deserves its own article.

The use of 'conspiracy theory' is obviously meant to insult and defame, and I note also the use of really dodgy citations like Chip Berlet - a "journalist" who gets paid to do hatchet jobs on people. I also note RGloucester, who gets really antsy about this topic, is a Cultural Marxist himself - a self-proclaimed "Marxist" who trolls Misplaced Pages to edit opposition to hawkish foreign policy positions and EU expansion (so, he hardly follows traditional Marxist lines on imperialism). The only 'conspiracy theory' I see from the Right in this regard is the accusation that Cultural Marxists deliberately planned a Gramscian "slow march through the institutions". I find the claim that such a plan existed strange, but if one simply makes this claim in retrospect, as historical analysis (i.e., without claiming mass planning), it is valid. And, of course, it is easy to document sponsorship for cultural Marxism by very wealthy and powerful sources, but this is a somewhat different line from standard Tea Party-style rhetoric.

All in all, it is a legitimate term, it is not the place of people whom it actually describes, like RGloucester, to denigrate it so they avoid labels they don't like, and even if there may be conspiratorial-like claims around it, that is not the main use of the term. Actions like this make Misplaced Pages look like a nuthouse for small cults. 80.213.254.51 (talk) 14:43, 8 May 2015 (UTC)

Actually, it looks like the Cultural Marxism article was deleted and then turned into a redirect so I'm guessing its original contents are not found here. — Jeraphine Gryphon  09:08, 29 March 2015 (UTC)

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Your mis-attribution of the "slow march through the institutions" quote to Gramscian thought when it is in fact a quote from Rudi Dutschke (a much later thinker) - a common mis-attribution found in conservative youtube propaganda on this subject (namely in the conspiracy focused "documentaries" by James Jaeger, a specialist in the conspiracy field, his other pet subjects being chemtrails and fiat currency) - does not bode well for your current opinions on this subject being unbias. Nor does your use of the "RGloucester is a Cultural Marxist" attack claim, a claim commonly spread through out the GamerGate community , where the theory that "Cultural Marxists are why society doesn't like GamerGate" - and ergo the conspiracy theory - finds very strong support. I'll note on the topic of RGloucester, that wikipedians are allowed to hold whatever political views they see fit (yourself included) as long as it does not interfere with their editing, and on a wider yet still relevant note; an individual's personal thoughts and beliefs shall not be decided for them by others nor imposed upon them by others (I'm aware of your evidence of this claim, but RGloucester can speak to this claims if they so choose). Misplaced Pages is concerned with accuracy, nothing more, nothing less. This goes too for your claims that "Cultural Marxists are mostly located in modern Western universities" this is where the conspiracy theorizing starts (and Misplaced Pages's WP:BLP policy kicks in) - the claim that Western universities are chock full of Cultural Marxists, either undeclared or unaware, in our bastions of free thought and intellect - that this is their viewpoint (often relying on the idea that they have undergone a degree of "brainwashing" or have otherwise been manipulated to think how they do) is nothing more than unfounded politicking. Academics tend to be very upfront with their views - they write papers on their subjects, they have academic arguments in peer reviewed journals, they reveal themselves in pedagogy, and then on the internet as we all do. To assert claims such as you have is to pursue a conspiracy based on opinion alone. That's where Wikipedian loses interest, so please be more careful with the presenting of opinion as fact. Same goes with placing retrospective claims of political opinion on past eras of Academia. Academia can speak for it's self. Which brings me to your claim that Cultural Marxism contrasts with traditional Marxism as it reimagines class struggle from a socioeconomic one based around the forces of production to memberships in supposedly privileged and disprivileged (non-economic) social demographics - feel free to present sources within academia that use the term this way, or can back up your claims. I can assure you that many were presented and tested in the ADF on this topic including all the sources contained in this commonly circulated (again amongst the GG community) twitlonger document (see the AFD for rebuttals to these sources)... and please don't presume from my familiarity with GamerGate links that I'm against or hold a bias towards GamerGate as a movement. I'm not concerned with them (and support ethics in journalism, on Misplaced Pages and in society in general). Accuracy and fact are my concerns. I think you'll find the redirect is appropriate given the obscurity, vagueness and outdated use of the term in serious Academic circles (with the two main proponents of the term there, Douglas Kellner and Dennis Dworkin both declaring the end of its use/influence in Cultural Studies (alone) in 1979 and 1980 (Dworkin says 79, and Kellner says 80), and with the current academic writing about the subject from Jerome Jamin referring to the post 1990s Culture War conspiracy claims (which themselves were originated by ex-Cold War Conservatives - hence the red menace title of the theory. --Jobrot (talk) 13:28, 12 May 2015 (UTC)

writing a proper section

The original was both better sourced and less biased. It should never have been deleted. This is Orwellian. And Misplaced Pages wants people to donate money after revealing bias like this?

"Conspiracy Theory" is clearly not the correct term for right wing criticism of the Frankfurt School and its influence. Also, this section contains sources that are not only sympathetic with the Frankfurt school but have direct connections with some of its members.

The phrase "Cultural Marxism" is legitimate as a description of a phenomenon in political discourse and describes accurately the intellectual legacy of the thinkers of the Frankfurt school whether people like it or not.

This section, as it is now, is a clear case of bias an attempt to hijack the narrative.

The section needs to be deleted and rewritten according to Wiki standards. I'm new to Misplaced Pages, so if anyone wants to help this is the thread for it.

I think the new title of the section should be "Reaction from the Right" to start. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.254.192.122 (talk) 07:53, 12 May 2015 (UTC)

Hi! Welcome to Misplaced Pages! Unfortunately Cultural Marxism is not a matter of right wing criticism of the Frankfurt School and its influence as it doesn't seek to interact with the Frankfurt School material. The deepest I've seen proponents go into the Frankfurt School is to criticize the tangential discourse of Critical Theory by strawmanning it as "Simply criticizing everything" which is at best a broad and incorrect definition of that subject area. Also high profile proponents pushing the Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory do tend to pack a lot of conspiracy theories in their writings on the subject. For example:

"Today, when the cultural Marxists want to do something like “normalize” homosexuality, they do not argue the point philosophically. They just beam television show after television show into every American home where the only normal-seeming white male is a homosexual (the Frankfurt School’s key people spent the war years in Hollywood)." -William S. Lind

"every major Hollywood motion picture is green-lit by the same 21 politically liberal, not-very-religious, Jewish males of European heritage who police the screenplays to make sure 'androgyny' and 'critical theory' are properly implanted in the writing." -James Jaeger

" Sexually transmitted disease (STD) epidemic in Western Europe a result of cultural Marxism" -Anders Behring Breivik

"The homosexual agenda is cultural Marxism masquerading as “progress.” Its goal is to redefine the family into an appendage of the homosexual movement, seeking to transform men and women into interchangeable parts... ...The cultural wreckage, however, will be immense. America is sliding toward Sodom and Gomorrah." -Jeffrey T. Kuhner

On top of that: WP:WWIN and more specifically WP:SOAP are just two examples of Misplaced Pages policies that your line of argument come up against (WP:OR and WP:RS might be another two). All the same Welcome to Misplaced Pages and I hope you have an ongoing interest in improving Misplaced Pages's accuracy and referencing. I hope you enjoy your time here, and understand the importance of strong policies. Welcome aboard! --Jobrot (talk) 13:57, 12 May 2015 (UTC)

I'm in a slight hurry, so I can only make a short response. I'll just bring up one point, the major one that bothers me about this section.

All of these quotes, even the one from Breivik, do not fall under the category of "conspiracy theory," they fall under the category of opposition to ideas and policies espoused by those on the left.

"Conspiracy theory" is an obvious attempt to lump opponents of the left with 911 truthers and the people who believe that lizard Jews are in control of foreign policy.

Even the craziest person you've cited here (obviously Breivik) is not a conspiracy theorist (at least as far as he believes in Cultural Marxism. Maybe he believes in all sorts of things. I don't know. But to lump him with William S. Lind and Pat Buchanan is a sleazy tactic); the left in Norway and other Scandinavian countries genuinely do want to increase immigration and promote multiculturalism (or do you claim they don't?), it's part of their platform. The ideas conceived by socialist thinkers, especially Communist ones, are important in shaping the policies of the left in Europe. Ideas like multi-culturalism and feminism did not appear out of thin air.

My point is that no one who uses the term "Cultural Marxism" claims it's a secret cabal of leftists controlling people's thought, but many do claim that the Frankfurt school has had a deep influence on the culture of the modern Left, especially in centers of cultural production in the United States (book publishing, Holly Wood, Academia); this is the very definition of "Cultural Marxism." It simply isn't a conspiracy theory by any reasonable definition of the phrase.

As for no one identifying as a Cultural Marxist (though many actually do), would you apply the same standard to racism? After all, almost no one who is accused of racism self-identifies as a racist.

Ok I brought up several points, but I'd still like them to be answered.

I'd thank you for the welcome, but I honestly don't believe it's genuine. I'll feel welcome once people stop using Misplaced Pages, an important online reference, to promote their own vision of what political discourse should be by shutting the opposition out. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.136.112.25 (talk) 01:46, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

I'll register a tag and work on references tomorrow, but for now you should know that I will continue to edit this section to reflect a genuine neutral view point. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.136.112.25 (talk) 02:28, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

For future reference, you can put a colon : in front of each paragraph you write on the talk page in order to indent it - to clarify that you're responding to an on going thread. More information on the format talk pages take can be found in the Talk Page Guidelines

You should also be aware that Misplaced Pages is principled upon community based editorial decisions, and if you don't find editorial consensus on this talk page, it's likely that the community will consistently revert your edits (nothing personal, it's just how Misplaced Pages functions, particularly on subjects that garner a lot of attention).

Now onto the discussion: I'm not seeking to paint the above quoted individuals as conspiracy theorists alone (although James Jaeger pretty firmly fits in that category). But I do think it's reasonable to claim that they're all conservative in their viewpoints, and that they swerve off into conspiracy theorizing when they write (or in Jaeger's case make films) about Cultural Marxism... as Cultural Marxism is its self a theory about a Conspiracy in which Jewish Marxists have infiltrated Western Capitalism and are posing as Academics and Capitalist Media moguls in order to destroy Traditional Western Cultural values. --Jobrot (talk) 02:49, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

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You should also be aware of The Three Revert Rule and what edit waring is WP:EW --Jobrot (talk) 03:01, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

You've answered none of my points, and that's not the definition of Cultural Marxism as commonly used. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.136.112.25 (talk • contribs)

Your 'points' are Fringe and POV. Racism is a well defined term, with undeniable and advanced sources. So-called cultural marxism is a neo-Nazi fringe conspiracy theory, derived and propagated by mostly racists. The fact that some right-wingers(and others) have glommed onto the term recently doesn't have a lot of relevance. Dave Dial (talk) 03:38, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

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An extremely cursory google search brings up an endless and ongoing supply of common people using the term in just the way I've described: --Jobrot (talk) 03:41, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Your first link yielded this quote in the comments: "Cultural Marxism, in the common parlance, typically means dividing the world as a binary between oppressed and oppressor, but instead of those being different economic classes, they are racial and sexual groups." Conspiracy theory or accurate description of many on the left?

Your third link is to picture that implies a lot but doesn't define anything.

The others honestly won't work (I'm on crappy wifi right now).

Your last link was to a white supremacist site that seems to believe everything is the Jews, including Cultural Marxism, but it doesn't talk about a conspiracy. The fact that white supremacists use the phrase does not discount the fact that the Frankfurt School (who were mostly Jews, whether you like it or not) have had a profound influence on Critical Theory and the 60s counter culture, which in turn have a profound influence on political discourse in the West today. Critics call this influence "Cultural Marxism" and it's a perfectly apt description.

Dave Dial your comment also did not address anything I said and engaged in name calling as a bonus.

Here's a definition (after my own "cursory google search") from a site, metapedia, a site on wikipedia's black list, an openly far right site, that uses the term as most people on the right use it: "Cultural Marxism is an ideology which emphasizes culture as a main cause of inequalities. Critics have seen cultural Marxism and its influence as an important cause of political correctness and as an important cause of a perceived decline of humanities, social sciences, culture, and civilization in the Western world."

Now this may make you angry, you may think it's unfair, you may think that all the causes of the left sprang up organically because they're the right thing to do and why oh why do people have to take a piss in the punch bowl by raising objections and searching out the origins of ideas. BUT you cannot with any sense of fairness or decency say that using the term "cultural Marxism" to describe many of the causes and assumptions of the left is a conspiracy theory. It simply isn't.

You'll only find the "conspiracy theory" term used by those on the left who wish to dismiss critics before a debate even happens.

William S. Lind, Pat Buchanan, Ron Paul, Samuel P. Huntington and even Jaeger are not "fringe." They have literally millions of followers, like it or not. Your efforts are clearly an example of an attempt to marginalize, isolate, and discredit those who disagree with you through unfair methods (such as name calling and refusing to engage in honest debate).

And my points still have not been answered. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 04:38, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

You're going to have to learn Misplaced Pages's rules as to what counts as reliable sourcing (WP:RS) I can assure you, random comments on conservative blogs do not count here (other than as evidence of hearsay). Nor does for that matter, Metapedia count, whom I hasten to add, up until very recently (as recently as November last year) had highly racist caricatures of Jewish people publicly embedded on their Cultural Marxism page as a means of explanation . Not a good reference point if you're trying to convince us that you have an unbiased view of this subject.

Your claim that the Frankfurt School is the origin for all manner of things currently popular in society is patently false. In fact the common targets of Conspiracy Theory proponents: Feminism, Atheism, Gay Rights, Civil Rights ALL predate the Frankfurt School in their origins (see pages such as Timeline of women's rights (other_than_voting) and Society for Human Rights). They also ALL have very good historically grounded justifications for their existence as ongoing social movements.

Simply yelling "You're not addressing my points! You're not addressing my points!" over and over again will not gain you any respect here. You have to provide appropriate evidence for your claims in line with Misplaced Pages's standards WP:RS WP:V WP:OR. You can either understand this or continue to come up against opposition to your theories. That's what Misplaced Pages is about: GOOD QUALITY RESEARCH --Jobrot (talk) 05:12, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

I haven't written any of the things you've accused me of. Your argument seems to be that the Frankfurt School in particular and Marxism in general have had no influence on MODERN Feminism, Atheism, Homosexual identity etc. Of course that is not true, and the old article used quotes from the activists themselves to prove this. Also, these things are not "popular in society," they are popular with left wing activists like yourself.

I used that link because you provided it as evidence for your definition of Cultural Marxism. Are you saying the link you provided as evidence is invalid? Providing a link and then not allowing me to use it will probably not earn you much respect.

Still not addressing my points. Still have not explained why this is a "conspiracy theory." Still haven't addressed why your sources are unbiased when they have direct connections to the Frankfurt School and Critical Theory. Still haven't addressed the fact that all of the pioneers and major political thinkers of criticism of Cultural Marxism are not fringe and many have academic and journalistic credentials. Still have not accepted that not one person who uses the phrase "Cultural Marxism" uses it as a conspiracy theory. Still haven't addressed that Cultural Marxism is a description of what the left believes and is a term used by critics and describes a tendency, not a unified movement. Still haven't explained why a rewriting of the article from a neutral point of view wouldn't add to Misplaced Pages's quality. Still haven't explained why Jay Martin, a man directly associated with the Frankfurt School and works toward their ideals, is a remotely reliable source. Still haven't addressed the intellectual origins of left wing causes that fit exactly into the Marxist world-view and are agitated for by left wing activists.

I think you're showing your true colors here. I'm beginning to wonder whether or not there might actually be a conspiracy...(joke). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 05:42, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Look this talk page is not a place for us to have a personally indulgent political debate on this matter. This talk page is intended for editorial discussions with an aim to improving the Frankfurt School article. So unless you're going to present some appropriate evidence in line with Misplaced Pages's reliable sourcing standards WP:RS - I have to ask you to cease and desist from using this talk page as an ideological battle ground as per WP:NOTBATTLEGROUND. Please in any further comments make sure to state what you want put into the article, or taken out of it but most importantly ONLY make these requests if you can PROVIDE EVIDENCE for your wishes that meet Misplaced Pages's standards of evidence WP:RS WP:V WP:OR. That is what this page is for. --Jobrot (talk) 05:56, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Also, you have to add more colons each time you comment as to indent the thread further - see WP:TPG. Please pay closer attention to Misplaced Pages's policies, they're there for a reason. --Jobrot (talk) 05:58, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

I don't know if you're being intentionally dense, but all of my arguments have stemmed from the fact that "conspiracy theory" is essentially what rational wiki calls a "snarl word" (not sure of wikis equivalent). My express aim is to improve the article and give it a neutral point of view, which it doesn't have right now. I'm not using Misplaced Pages as a soap box; I'm here because other people have used it this way by deleting a helpful article that's been here for seven years and replacing it by something that is biased.

We'll take it one at a time. I don't believe Martin Jay is a reliable source because of his associations with the Frankfurt school and his politics. He seems to be the origin of the "conspiracy theory" charge. This violates Misplaced Pages neutrality standards.

Also, I think a formal definition of what constitutes a conspiracy theory is in order. If your using what's on Misplaced Pages, then nothing in the body of this sections constitutes a conspiracy theory, making "conspiracy theory" emotionally charged language and unsuitable for something that claims neutrality.

Be patient with accidental violations. I'm learning. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 06:17, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Also, threatening to ban me for arguing is a bit classless and lends evidence to the notion that this section has been hijacked by those with ideological bias.

Chip Bertlet is a left wing journalist. Why is he an appropriate source as proof for a conspiracy theory and Pat Buchanan, a former politician of a major third party and a journalist with more impressive credentials, not? Until this is clarified I'm taking him out. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 06:55, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Aha, now we're getting somewhere! Likewise, you will have to be patient with presenting your points of order/evidence, so yes, going point by point slowly until a consensus can be drawn out is generally the best way to proceed (keep in mind this can take a very long time, and may ultimately require gathering other editors and using policy to push points that have good evidence behind them).

So, from what I can see in the section on Cultural Marxism, Martin Jay is being used as a reference to support the claim that Lind's work spawned a multitude of other versions of the theory. From my own research on the subject, it seems that Lind was working as the Historian for the Free Congress Foundation, a role described in Lind's own words here . I believe this fact is relatively certain... The Free Congress Foundation at the time in question was operating under its founder Paul M. Weyrich and was responsible for spreading the theory via Weyrich posting letters to affiliate organizations, as evidenced here: . This was all in the 1990s before the concept became as popular as it is today. So whilst you may question Martin Jay's closeness to the Frankfurt School, he appears to be correct on this particular point within the current Frankfurt School article for the specific portion he's being used as a reference for (which I think is it's self merely quoting/reporting Martin's own opinion).

On a wider point of whether he should be taken as a valid source - The fact that Martin Jay is a close expert on the Frankfurt School may actually be a case of arguing against your intentions, as Misplaced Pages actually seeks out (for the purposes of reporting in it's pages) expert level knowledge on subjects under the policy WP:EXPERT with a view to improving articles. This is done under the assumption that those who study whatever area of knowledge is being discussed (ie. Martin Jay studying the Frankfurt School), would most likely have a large amount of accurate knowledge and research about the subject they're expert in. So in this case, Martin Jay being close to the Frankfurt School may suggest he's a MORE credible source, rather than a less credible source. This policy WP:EXPERT is in place as a stratagem for improving Misplaced Pages to a higher level of expertise, and is part of WP:RS in that Misplaced Pages values well researched, peer reviewed academic sources above all else - which is of course a key aspect of building an online encyclopedia based on the sum of human knowledge. We build on what is already known, and what is already known is found historically within the realms of academia. Hence WP:EXPERT and WP:RS --Jobrot (talk) 06:59, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

I'm not saying that Martin Jay is not an expert on the Frankfurt School. I'm saying that him being close friends with several members and then being dismissive of criticisms of them with the snarl word (can you tell me Misplaced Pages's equivalent?) "conspiracy" is definite indication of bias. I'm not taking him or Bartlett out but I have clarified who exactly they are in the sub-section, and I feel this is perfectly warranted according to Misplaced Pages's neutrality standards.

It's not likely your edits will survive. For starters the heading of the section was decided with editorial consensus by the admins who closed the AfD on the topic and the theory does concern a conspiracy. Secondly in changing the heading you have broken at least one referal page Cultural Marxism (which is meant to bounce you down to the appropriate section, but no longer does) and made wikipedia less useful for people trying to find information on that topic. Thirdly, your changes didn't come from editorial consensus and may be considered a form of guilt-by-association and page vandalism. I suggest getting consensus on edits before you make them. --Jobrot (talk) 07:22, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

-

Okay I've reverted the changes you've made, and fixed the referal (so the redirect from Cultural Marxism works again, as placed there by admins on community consensus of the AfD on the topic. Hope you don't find this reversion personal, it's just how Misplaced Pages works, had I not done the roll back manually, an admin or higher up would have come along and done the same thing (it just would have taken a bit longer). I'm sure you've noticed by looking at the history of edits to the page that your changes get consistently reverted by a number of users/admins. This is because changes have to come about through Misplaced Pages's process, and the history of this subject on Misplaced Pages is long and has garnered much attention. Hence there are many paying attention to changes to this page. See and the talk page for cultural Marxism and the talk page for the previous version of this page and the archives on this the talk page we're on (up near the top of the page) for more details (and there are still more other great tracts on wikipedia that show the history of the long process multiple editors have taken to come to the current consensus section we have today). --Jobrot (talk) 07:40, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Like I said: learning, but don't worry: I'm willing to stick it out until this page gets a genuinely neutral tone. And please don't accuse me of trying to vandalize the page. I'm trying to improve it.

I don't mind defending each change point-by-point. I guess we could do the easiest change first. I changed "it" to "theory," since the antecedent was a little unclear. Good idea? Bad idea?

I clarified who exactly the sources quoted as experts were and their potential biases, which is relevant since a left wing scholar criticizing a right wing idea is bound to have bias (and the reverse is true).

I removed the emotionally charged language ("conspiracy") and replaced it with a more neutral tone (simply "theory").

Are you the only one here? Because I seriously would like to hear from other editors. The entire article needs to be rewritten.

Why not simply name the sub-section "Cultural Marxism" or "Cultural Marxist Theory"?

I'm sure most people will agree that labeling something a conspiracy theory is simply dismissing it, whether deservedly, as the case with truthers, or undeservedly, like here. You've already refused to answer my arguments for why the notion of Cultural Marxism is not a conspiracy theory. You can argue that it's an exaggeration or a slander (though I would say it's simply a description), but the only people claiming conspiracy theory are those on the left, the very people who feel a deep oppositions towards those who use the term "Cultural Marxism" to describe certain intellectual tendencies of the far left and their ultimate origin.

I'd like to debate the definition of "Cultural Marxism" and why it should be labeled a conspiracy theory.

I also still think "conspiracy" is dismissive and emotionally charged. Please tell me why you don't think so.

Last, the last three paragraphs of the section contain views from the left, views of those specifically opposed to those who use the term "cultural marxists" to describe them. I suggest adding a block quote from one of the books or articles mentioned in the first half of the article to balance the tone. I'll wait to see what people think.

How do we get editorial consensus? Because it only seems to be you and me arguing about this. And on a side note, what happened to consensus during the decade that the old article was up? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 07:50, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Misplaced Pages is a strange place, gaining editorial consensus can take some time (a matter of days, not hours) - it's not a very instant service due to being run by volunteers donating their time. One way to get this process going might be to contact editors who have been reverting your edits, and discuss reversions with them. But frankly you have a lot of eagerness, and not a lot of experience in how things are done - and you may want to investigate how to get started on wikipedia and look into more neutral places you can hone your skills a small bit and learn some of the policies before you jump into a controversial topic like this one. Work on small articles, observe how people use policies and the hierarchy of reliable sources in their arguments. See what's shaking. Work out how to "ping" users.. put something on your personal talk page and user page... fill in some stub articles... just get used to the whole system. These things take time, but I too look forwards to hearing from other editors. --Jobrot (talk) 08:06, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Sorry, not leaving. I use Misplaced Pages all the time and this has honestly goaded me to become an editor because of its obvious bias. Ok, we can start super small. The article has a few grammatical problems. I've fixed three in my edits and justified them. I'll revert those you've changed back (if this is an example of "edit warring" I'm sorry). If an administrator fixes them, I'll contact him and justify it.

And just to keep the debate going in the meantime. "Cultural Marxism" as it is defined in the article and as you seem to define it appears to be ambiguous. I've made several attempts to define it but you've not replied to them. I think we may be arguing at cross-purposes. For the section to be clear, we need a clear definition of what Cultural Marxism is. Please offer your definition and justify it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 08:19, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Defining Cultural Marxism

I'd like to add a concise definition of "Cultural Marxism" from at least one of the conservative sources. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 09:24, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Conspiracy Theory?

I propose that the heading "Conspiracy Theory" be changed to simply "Cultural Marxism" since "conspiracy" is emotionally charged language and proponents and critics of the idea of Cultural Marxism don't consider it a conspiracy by any reasonable definition of the word, including Misplaced Pages's.

The left wing notion that Cultural Marxism is a conspiracy theory can be addressed in the body of the section. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 09:28, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

The evidence for it being a conspiracy theory can be found here and here, it is well referenced as well as fairly self evident from the quotes given in those pages that key proponents believe Jewish Marxists do any number of things from running Hollywood to running Academia. Please don't feign to seek editorial consensus only to go ahead an act unilaterally when you get impatient. It shows a lack of good faith editing. We are not lapdogs here to run on your schedule. As I stated earlier, gaining consensus can take quite some time. Please give others time to respond to your inquiries. Misplaced Pages is a community based editing platform, not a personal WP:SOAPBOX for individual users acting on their own as judge and juror of facts. All changes to pages have to be well referenced. We're not here to add our own personal opinions to the page off the tops of our heads. We're here to quote people from the hierarchy of sources (with academia being at the top of that hierarchy). So make sure to find sources for any more changes you unilaterally undertake or else I will be forced to report you. It has to be SOMEONE ELSES words, cited in a reference. NOT YOUR OWN SPIN ON THINGS. For the last time: WP:RS WP:V and WP:OR or else it will just be a matter of ideological WP:SOAPBOX WP:BATTLEGROUND vandalism. --Jobrot (talk) 13:30, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

It has become abundantly clear that you've turned this page into a personal project to express your own views.

I'll go through this one question at a time and one edit at a time.

Question 1: Why is adding an edit clarifying that a left wing source is left wing vandalism?

69.254.192.122 (talk) 14:31, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Because Misplaced Pages is an encyclopedia of facts, and it's not up to you to decide someone else's political viewpoint for them. It's up to them, you just report it. Likewise it's up to the reader if they so find themselves interested in a particular quote reported within a wikipedia page they should be allowed to come to their own conclusions, we're just here to report. Hence my continually pointing you towards WP:SOAPBOX. We're not here to decide what people's viewpoints are, we're here to report what they declare themselves to be. This is going to be a crucial point for you, as you'll need to find sources for "Cultural Marxists believe X" or "Y is a Cultural Marxist". SOURCES. SOURCES. SOURCES. Get it drilled in. SOURCES. --Jobrot (talk) 14:51, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Question two: Are you disputing that the source I've called left-wing is not left-wing and does not self-identify as left wing? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 15:03, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Seeing as I've JUST finished taking the time to explain to you ONCE AGAIN that yes - yes you do need to find sources that state your opinion, rather than simply unilaterally adding your own opinion to articles without any care for editorial consensus (which is currently against you) - then yes, yes I AM going to dispute that. I'm going to dispute that because I just finished telling you in good faith that wikipedia is an ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FACTS - and FACTS NEED SOURCES... and YOUR OPINION IS NOT A SOURCE FOR WIKIPEDIA. WP:BATTLEGROUND WP:SOAPBOX WP:RS. Nothing personal, this is just how Misplaced Pages works - hence my backing up my opinion with WIKIPEDIA POLICY. I've explained this to you multiple times, and told you to have some patients but you just keep eschewing my help. I may have to report you for nuisance editing if you continue to ignore Misplaced Pages policy and process. I feel I'm being very fair to you, and have taken A LOT of my time to explain this to you. I've given you a fair chance now over several days. What happens next is up to you. --Jobrot (talk) 01:15, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

Neutral Point of View

I've added a NPOV dispute, since Job rot (the main gate keeper here) won't work with me to help edit the article to give it a more neutral view point or respond to any of my arguments for fixing the section and has accused me of vandalism even when I make simple grammatical edits.

The section is in need of serious revisions and I'd like to hear any thoughts on how to fix it.

The dispute was settled to a point of community, editorial and administrative consensus during the AfD on this topic I suggest you read through it and present SOME evidence other than your own opinion (which is all you have at this point) before you claim the section is in dispute or NPOV. --Jobrot (talk) 01:21, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

A new consensus needs to be reached based on Misplaced Pages standards. I've tried to work with you and have offered to discuss the addition of two new sources below. You've refused. You've refused to answer the objections of literally every single person who has expressed concerns of the reliability of this page for the past three months. Due to the shear number of people expressing a concern of the neutral view point and the fact that you are the sole editor to argue your side fore the last three months, I'm comfortable putting the Pov dispute back up. Clearly consensus still has not been reached.

Feel free to get administrators involved. You're the one who is violating standards, not me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Second Dark (talk • contribs) 01:34, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

That's fine, and no, I'm not violating standards. The dispute tag can stay as you've finally bothered to put a source forward. --Jobrot (talk) 02:43, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

incorporating conservative claims

JobRot, since we're inevitably going to have to work together on this, I'd like your thoughts on this article and how best to incorporate it. I'm not going to work it into the article just to have you arbitrarily delete it. You're going to have to work with me.

I think it's relevant because 1) Paul Gottfried, who worked closely with William Lind to develop the ideas on Cultural Marxism, gives a good definition of Cultural Marxism as it is used by the right 2) It provides evidence against and a response to the "conspiracy theory" charge 3) It provides evidence against this article having a neutral point of view 4) it represents a major view point not covered yet and 5) while conservative this is hardly a fringe source.

So I'd very much like to hear from you about how to work this information in so we can make the article more neutral. I promise not to make any more edits until things have been worked out, but your assertion that this article shouldn't be touched and that the neutrality of "conspiracy" is beyond criticism isn't acceptable.

Second Dark (talk) 15:57, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

I would also like to add information from Gottfried's book "The Strange Death of Marxism" to balance the quote from Jay. Gottfried is a noted academic and the book is from an academic press, so there should be no objections about unreliability on those grounds.Second Dark (talk) 16:33, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

I'll give you 48 hours to respond (reasonable amount of time? The consensus page is a little unclear and it seems to be only me and you here except for Dave Dial who has not engaged in any actual debate). After that I'll work on editing Gottfried's book into the section. The consensus page says to be bold when editing and I think the article and the book are both perfectly reasonable sources according to Wiki standards (Gottfried was actually Herbert Marcuse's student at one time). You yourself said above that you looked for an academic source that used the term "Cultural Marxism" in a non-conspiratorial way, and this most certainly counts as one.

Also, can you create a notice on the boards asking for disinterested third party intervention? I can't for two weeks because I'm new.

I honestly think that I've demonstrated enough good faith here along with a willingness to do research that we can work together on this and create a genuinely neutral article. I honestly have found that Misplaced Pages is not good for finding information on anything remotely controversial. Hopefully, this'll be the first time it doesn't turn into a lock on the article and a huge waste of time for everyone.Second Dark (talk) 20:32, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

I honestly don't believe you've shown good faith (this being your second day). As soon as I welcomed you, you questioned my sincerity. That was your first act here. Each policy page I've pointed you to has had to be repeated I've now said WP:RS to you 9 times since you got here yesterday (and this is my first comment to you today, meaning really I said it to you 9 times in one afternoon), and I still don't really believe you've looked into them or bothered to learn their function in settling disputes like this. So I'm sure I'll have to keep stating these policies to you... and this is the first source you've raised, all of yesterday was you attacking the page and inserting your own unsourced opinion as if it were fact (read:Vandalism). The only reason I haven't reported you is because I believe in Misplaced Pages's model. Good faith? I'm only JUST starting to see Good Faith today with you actually raising a source for once. Keep up the Good Faith and I'll consider your request. --Jobrot (talk) 02:00, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

I'm reluctantly open to there being included a quote from Paul Gottfried's The Strange Death of Marxism as long as it stands up to WP:RS and whatever other policies are relevant. I'm not sure what other editors opinions will be on the subject, but that's mine (for now). Of course it's important that the quote used is not taken out of context, and is relevant to the subject matter at hand (the phrase "Cultural Marxism" would most likely have to appear in the quoted body). But yes, maintaining the quotes intended meaning is important. Likewise that the source meets WP:RS is also important. Even Gottfried might go off on a rant on social media or other such poor quality website, and obviously that wouldn't meet WP:RS under these circumstances (this being a topic decided by Misplaced Pages and the AfD process to be classified as "controversial" and having needed a protected level of editing several times due to vandalism). I will note, that I can only speak for myself. But yes, as long as those policy strictures are met, the quote is relevant and consensus is reached before adding it. --Jobrot (talk) 02:46, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

Oh sorry, thought you were talking about Gottfried's book, the article I doubt will be allowed in, and I believe has been raised elsewhere. --Jobrot (talk) 02:48, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

Yep, sorry, Misplaced Pages doesn't allow sources that cite wikipedia, as it risks leading to citogenisis Misplaced Pages:List_of_citogenesis_incidents and circular sourcing. So that article would fail by way of WP:OR and WP:V --Jobrot (talk) 02:52, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

This is not true. We do allow sources that cite wikipedia, but obviously they cannot be used to support claims about the specific facts for which they cite wikipedia. If a source cites wikipedia for fact x, and is otherwise using reliable sources then we can use that source to cite other information. Your formulation of the rule would for example not allow us to cite an article that mentions and criticizes or debunks some claim from wikipedia. It is not a hard rule, but depends on context. What does Gottfried cite wikipedia for?·maunus · snunɐɯ· 01:52, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

Gottfried cites an article that no longer exists. Gottfried was citing Misplaced Pages for "sloppiness and political bias" in reporting his position. The wikipedia page in question has since been merged with the Conspiracy Theory section of this, The Frankfurt School page and no longer mentions Gottfried. --Jobrot (talk) 03:54, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

If Gottfried is criticizing wikipedia and not using wikipedia as a source for information then this is not a reason for exclude the source.·maunus · snunɐɯ· 03:57, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

I expected as much. Thank you for helping to clarify. This being the case, and the article still being relevant to this section as it is now, I'd still like to talk about working it in.

Ok. I'm glad it looks like we can work together. We can start with the book and go from there. But I'd ultimately like to include information from Buchanan or Lind on Cultural Marxism as they themselves define it, not their opponents. I also don't think Bertlett's opinion meets standards (something from what Tea Party members actually say would be better) and the conspiracy theory tag needs to be changed to something more neutral, but that's for way later.

I did not believe that the sites you linked earlier were legitimate sources to be used in the article. I only tried to discuss them here because you offered them as proof for "conspiracy theory" as the usual definition of the word. I was trying to show that even on sites so far right that they circle back around the accusation of Cultural Marxism doesn't constitute a conspiracy theory.

I know the NPOV tag is a last resort, so I'm perfectly willing to take it off until we've reached a stand still if you like (hopefully this won't happen).

Fair enough about sources that cite wikipedia, but I'd still like you to consider Gottfried's points so we can talk about them here (in another section). Neither he nor Lind, nor Buchanan, nor even the link to Fidelio (which I don't think uses the phrase "Cultural Marxism" anyway) even argue for anything remotely like a cover-up or covert action on the Frankfurt School's or the modern Left's part. It's at best an exaggeration of influence, and even if this is so, how the Left and the Right perceive each other, their intellectual assumptions, and fundamental differences are an important part of political discourse. "Conspiracy Theory" is hand waving. I know you're committed to it at this point, but I'm an optimist. But like I said, we can get to that when we get to it.

This may take a long time, so dig in I guess.

So I'll wait for your response on what to put in from the book (it doesn't necessary have to be a quote), then we can open a new section to talk about conspiracy theory. By the way, there is a quote from the book on your Sand Box, but I don't think it's a salient one and could be misunderstood very easily.Second Dark (talk) 12:44, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

I think it will have to be a quote because that will avoid either of us adding our own spin to it. Unfortunately - for anyone with an interesting opinion - Misplaced Pages isn't like essay writing - or at least, isn't intended to be like essay writing - unless the topic is something bland where "the facts" are undisputed so can be written about freely and those sorts of topics are few and far between, and mostly relegated to science and general interest pages. So, it will most likely have to be a quote from Gottfried, and a quote that uses the term "Cultural Marxism".

Yeah, proponents aren't about to claim it's a conspiracy theory. That's the thing about conspiracy theory believers - the people who go along with these theories don't think of them as conspiracy theories, they tend to be what skeptics term "true believers", they tend to think of their theories as "The Truth™" - and there in lays the rub - as to have the description of conspiracy theory removed you're going to have to prove that the claims made by key proponents of the theory are fact - and do so to the standards key proponents espouse - as you've mentioned including Lind, and as he and Weyrich were so crucial in originating the spread of this now commonly understood theory I'll use one of Lind's own claims as an example of the kind of stuff you're going to have to prove are fact (ergo, not conspiracy):- that "Cultural Marxists" are powerful enough to "beam television show after television show into every American home" a claim which relies on another aspect of conspiracy theory thinking; unfalsifiability (not to mention grandiosity). So I don't like your chances of being able to prove these sorts of claims (and they are many) by key proponents. But, if you can prove the claims made by the theory of Cultural Marxism, then we can change the heading to something else (You might want to scroll up to the quotes I posted earlier, or look into my sandbox again to see other such claims, they're fairly unprovable which is part of why this section is marked as conspiracy).

As for those links I pasted, they were just to prove the common understanding out there in the wild today (which is generally Lind's understanding) a proof of spread rather than of conspiracy. But yeah, it's amazing how far Lind's version of the conspiracy theory got (no wonder considering he took his lectures on the road to various conferences on behalf of, and possibly paid for by The Free Congress Foundation, and that Weyrich was writing letters to the same effect back home - they were pushing the new party line so to speak. Cultural Marxism starts at home I suppose), it spread even to the point that Lind's words appear in Anders Breivik's manifesto (not a claim to fame that I'd want, but Lind now has it). I put it all down to the 1990s Culture Wars (back when all this gained steam) and the fact that Lind cut his teeth working for Senator Robert Taft, Jr. at the height of the Cold War (probably learnt a thing or two about fearing the red menace)... kind of a case of going from Cold Wars to Culture Wars... so the "Cultural Marxism" theory is the result of that sort of life. The enemy went from being outside the country, to being within (in those darn free thinking universities where they teach any manner of spooky and dangerous ideas... corrupting the youth of Athens no doubt).

Anyways, let's go get some "Cultural Marxism" related quotes from the book and see which we can agree to put in. --Jobrot (talk) 13:40, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

Ok, but you really got to stop with the guilt by association stuff. I'm not embarrassed that Breivik or White supremacists use the term "Cultural Marxism." Probably neither is Lind. I know what I believe and I'm not embarrassed about it. But my personal politics don't have anything to do with Wiki neutrality.

Let's let this be the thread for Gottfried's book. But first off, I'm going to make a list of some other stuff I'd like to do and we can make separate sections here if necessary.

I'd eventually like separate discussion sections on each of the following issues (unless there are no objections to a given issue. Then I'll just go ahead and start Sand Boxing it). Absolutely no rush. Just a heads up:

The Conspiracy Theory accusation is my biggest problem with the article. We haven't discussed it in any sort of depth. There needs to be a separate section for argument of the neutrality of this term. I'll promise to be open minded about letting it stay if and only if you promise to being open about changing the term. If we can't agree to this, the matter is going to have to be settled by arbitration; I can't really think of any other way. Also we're going to have to define our terms for what exactly Cultural Marxism is, because as of right now we simply don't have the same definition. We simply aren't anywhere near the same page as things are right now.

We should really debate what Gottfried has to say in that article.

The first time I ran into the phrase cultural Marxism was in "Death of The West" by Pat Buchanan. Buchanan is probably the most well-known figure in the section with the exception of Ron Paul, and even the most strident detractors of this work have not accused him of conspiracy theory mongering (or if they have I've never came across it). His views and a possible quote should be expanded on. I still have a copy of the book somewhere, so I'll get on reading the relevant chapters (biographical tangent: this is pretty much why I'm here. I was down the internet "rabbit hole" a week or two ago reading about the Baltimore riots since I'm from there and ran across an article on Critical Race Theory. I quickly grabbed the major scholarly introduction to it and it's line of thinking instantly reminded me of what Buchanan had described in his book, which I read a really long time ago. Naturally, I came here to refresh myself and I ran into "conspiracy theory." Wicked lame. Sorry over-share tangent over.)

Since Cultural Marxism is a term used by many on the Right to describe Leftist behavior and ideals, I'd like to post a notice for help in editing this page on the conservatism portal, or somewhere more appropriate. I'd also like to ultimately move this section to it's own page again and make it part of the series on Conservatism or Anti-Communism (is there one? Too tired and lazy to look up right now), but I have a (very slight of course) suspicion that you'd object to this.

Bertlett is not a neutral source. He should be removed or it should be clarified who he is.

I'd like to look into the use of the term "Cultural Marxism" outside of the English speaking world. Breivik is an indication that it's use is not confined to the U.S. right. I can speak and read French so I'll start there (my German is schlect (sp?) at the moment, but I'm working on it). This may take months or even years, so info you have on the European Right might be helpful.

I've also ran into the term used by traditional (small t, but I'm sure it's used even more with Ultra-Right non-counciliar Catholics) Catholics, and not as a conspiracy theory just as a tendency in Left-Wing thinking. I'd like to make this another vein of research. Probably SSPX or Sedevantists sites might be a good place to start.

Since the phrase is so popular with White Supremacists (though after going through some quick links I've discovered that they like to be called "White Nationalists." Oddly PC of them, I guess) we should expand on this.

Whew. That's it for now. But like I said: first the book. I'm very busy for the next few weeks, so expect a much slower pace from now on, but I'll try and find a relevant quote from the book by, let's say, Sunday. If that doesn't work, and you're willing to take the time to read (re-read?) it, we can work on writing a neutral summary and work it in. Sorry if I come off as abrasive sometimes. Please chalk it up to enthusiasm. Peace.Second Dark (talk) 00:51, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

I'm fine with a slower pace. Look, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I also feel I have gone into some depth as to why it's labeled a conspiracy theory and what you'd have to do to change that title, I feel I've gone into it both in the comment directly above yours and in the section titled NPOV Tag below. I think what you're coming up against here is WP:DUE - that is to say that the majority of the public do believe some conspiracy theory version of the Cultural Marxism theory - and what was concluded as part of the AFD on the topic is that there are now currently where we sit and as it stands in the public eye - TWO definitions of the Cultural Marxism theory. The academic consensus (academia being at the top most rank for sourcing under WP:RS) and the Lind/Jaeger hyperbolic conspiracy definition of the term (sadly the majority of proponents today have been informed by Conspiracy Theorist James Jaegers' ill-informed "documentary" works as well as far-right blogs. Jaeger himself believing in chem trails and numerous other conspiracy theories). Now Misplaced Pages's purpose is to take the ill informed public, and direct them to appropriate well studied, academic (and at best, peer reviewed and within the subject's domain) sources that will give readers a realistic view of the facts. Which are in this case, that yes; the term "Cultural Marxism" had academic credentials in the past that were never fully explored (so it appeared in a hand full of papers, but with limited explanation of it's nature) but has since during the 1990s Culture Wars been hijacked and expanded beyond reason by conservatives to be used for political means within the public sphere (as opposed to the academic sphere, where its use has been far more confined and nowadays rare). So in accordance to WP:DUE and WP:RS it is up to Misplaced Pages to address the majority view, and direct it towards the current academic understanding of the term (WP:DUE fitting hand in glove with WP:RS, as intended).

The evolution of this topic also means that it is currently neither a left nor right-wing issue, in fact the previous page on this subject was filed as part of the portal on Marxism (and I think you'd hardly contend that Marxism should be part of the Conservative portal). Likewise I think you'd hardly contend that the Frankfurt School was made up of Conservatives - so you'd get some ire for posting a request for help with the Frankfurt School article to the Conservatism portal (it would make you look very strange indeed and very divisive).

Finally I'll give you the shortest path to concluding Cultural Marxism is a conspiracy theory (ie. a theory that goes against the facts and proposes a false hypothesis of conspiring), although you may have already read this one in my sandbox: One of the key and consistent claims of the Cultural Marxism theory is that "The Frankfurt School are responsible for political correctness which will lead to the downfall of society". Now hyperbolic conclusion aside, it's documented that the French philosopher Michel Foucault gave a definition of what is now the modern usage of the term political correctness in a 1968 correspondence with Jean Paul Sartre in the French fortnightly journal La Quinzaine littéraire in which he wrote "a political thought can be politically correct ("politiquement correcte") only if it is scientifically painstaking" and yet, he states explicitly and specifically in Duccio Trombadori's Remarks on Marx that the Frankfurt Schools influence on him, remained a retrospective one. So this very basic, very consistent, very widespread "fact" from the popular WP:DUE consensus of the Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory is FALSE... and this isn't the only example! There are many! For instance it is common place amongst proponents of the "Cultural Marxism" conspiracy theory to quote Antonio Gramsci as having said there was needed a "Long March through the institutions of the west" which is actually something Rudi Dutschke said DECADES and DECADES later! Literally taking two people neither of whom were even part of the Frankfurt School and merging them to conclude a coherent and consistent movement/conspiracy against "The West™". This is a claim Pat Buchanan has made himself on the topic!

So no offense, but a lot of what you want to happen here just won't pass policy (as it's not fact). And I totally agree with you, there is no shame in having ANY political viewpoint, even if it's wrong and shared by awful people! Even it's shared by pol pot! It doesn't matter.

Here, on Misplaced Pages (and I'd hope in most people's minds as well) - all that matters is fact. This place is not a dictionary for political viewpoints, it's not a set of gossip columns, it's not a place for unchecked conspiracy theorizing (regardless of the notoriety of the source) WP:FRINGE - it IS an Encyclopedia of FACTS.

If you can start finding some facts, from high quality sources that back up the conspiracy theory - that seek to prove it - then I'll start opening up to changing the heading. But currently, in my eyes, as well as in the eyes of the closers of the AFD on this subject "conspiracy theory" is a legitimate descriptor for the WP:DUE common understanding of the term Cultural Marxism. --Jobrot (talk) 02:56, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

You're definition of conspiracy theory: "Cultural Marxism is a conspiracy theory (ie. a theory that goes against the facts and proposes a false hypothesis of conspiring)"

From Gottfried's article: "...we have stressed the opposite view, namely, that certain Frankfurt School social teachings have become so widespread and deeply ingrained that they have shaped the dominant post-Christian ideology of the Western world."

No one is claiming any sort of cover-up. There is no "hypothesis of conspiring." The Frankfurt School were completely open about all of their aims, assumptions, and research. All of their critics know this and claim nothing otherwise.Second Dark (talk) 02:23, 16 May 2015 (UTC)

Gottfried has done that, and comes in some of his writings far closer to the academic usage of "Cultural Marxism" (even though it's a rarefied academic term, and is generally thought as a movement within Cultural Studies to have ended in the 1980s and been replaced to some degree by the Birmingham School)... that said Gottfried still seems to sway off (to less certain ground) in some of his writings on the subject. Lind however, is IN NO WAY careful or academic with his use of the term, particularly not in his early foundational writings on the subject. Gottfried cannot be used to clarify Lind's position... and Lind has some wacky writing, and as stated early Gottfried is far more reasonable. Gottfried might even be a worthwhile source for The Frankfurt School article. Lind however, definitely is not:

"Political Correctness is intellectual AIDS. Everything it touches it sickens and eventually kills. On America's college campuses it has diminished freedom of speech, warped curricula, politicized grading and replaced intellectual integrity with vapid sloganeering. In classroom after classroom, professors offer an ideological rant, which students are compelled to regurgitate to get a grade: the vomit returns to the dog. These places--and they are many--are no longer universities, but small, ivy-covered North Koreas." -William S. Lind

"Today, when the cultural Marxists want to do something like “normalize” homosexuality, they do not argue the point philosophically. They just beam television show after television show into every American home where the only normal-seeming white male is a homosexual (the Frankfurt School’s key people spent the war years in Hollywood)" -William S. Lind

"So that is Political Correctness' dirty little secret: it is Marxism, Marxism translated from economics into culture. We know what economic Marxism did to the old Soviet Union. Are we going to permit Cultural Marxism to do the same thing to the United States?" -William S. Lind

"The next conservatism should unmask multiculturalism and Political Correctness and tell the American people what they really are: cultural Marxism. Its goal remains what Lukacs and Gramsci set in 1919: destroying Western culture and the Christian religion. It has already made vast strides toward that goal. But if the average American found out that Political Correctness is a form of Marxism, different from the Marxism of the Soviet Union but Marxism nonetheless, it would be in trouble. The next conservatism needs to reveal the man behind the curtain - - old Karl Marx himself." -William S. Lind

"Lind seemed to have been cultivating friends in some remarkable places. This June 15 , at a major Holocaust denial conference put on by veteran anti-Semite Willis Carto in Washington, D.C., Lind gave a well-received speech before some 120 "historical revisionists," conspiracy theorists, neo-Nazis and other anti-Semites, in which he identified a small group of people who he said had poisoned American culture. On this point, Lind made a powerful connection with his listeners. "These guys," he explained, 'were all Jewish.'" -Southern Poverty Law Center

As you can see Lind (who popularized the term) uses "Cultural Marxism" in the conspiratorial sense, and is IN NO WAY a valid source for the ACTUAL views of The Frankfurt School. --Jobrot (talk) 03:18, 16 May 2015 (UTC)

Except that Lind isn't using it in a "conspiratorial sense." He's using it in a polemical sense. He doesn't allege a cover-up. Other than having a more bombastic style, which is understandable since he's a conservative activist, the only difference he has with Gottfried is that he believes Cultural Marxism (Gottfried sometimes likes to say "Post-Marxism) to have evolved directly from "orthodox" (for lack of a better word) economic Marxism, and has incorporated causes traditionally outside the concern of old school Marxists. Gottfried and Lind have both said multiple times that this is pretty much their only quibble with one another.

Here's an earlier article by Gottfried claiming as much after the Breivik attack:

Here's Lind, in a review of Gottfried's book, explaining these same differences:

The SPLC quote is from the Lind article linked here. In context, Lind mentions (and this is the only time he mentions it in that article), that members of the School were Jews because he was explaining why an obscure German institution for Marxist research found such fertile ground for its ideas in the US. The answer? You guessed it! Being both Jews and Communists the new Nazi regime chased them out of Frankfurt and they found themselves at Columbia University. And the rest is history. All this is somewhere in the page we're currently editing together. This is supposed to be an "anti-Semitic conspiracy"?

I'm glad we're finally getting somewhere with this.Second Dark (talk) 03:56, 16 May 2015 (UTC)

No, I don't think we are getting anywhere. Firstly, I didn't say this is "supposed to be" an anti-semitic conspiracy. I'll repeat myself once again; I believe it fits perfectly into the category of Michael Barkun's second type as taken from:

Main article: Conspiracy theory

Systemic conspiracy theories. The conspiracy is believed to have broad goals, usually conceived as securing control of a country, a region, or even the entire world. While the goals are sweeping, the conspiratorial machinery is generally simple: a single, evil organization implements a plan to infiltrate and subvert existing institutions. This is a common scenario in conspiracy theories that focus on the alleged machinations of Jews, Freemasons, or the Catholic Church, as well as theories centered on Communism or international capitalists.

I'm getting so sick of repeating myself to you, and on that point my emphasis in MY responses are there FOR A REASON. Please don't edit, change or substitute what I've said (or replace the bolding I've used) for ANYTHING other than what I've said. Please don't edit further comments from me.

I believe those quotes I've pasted clearly illustrate in Lind's OWN WORDS his view of "Cultural Marxism" as consistent to Barkun's model of a systemic conspiracy theory. He, as quoted in his own words, is claiming a consistent agenda on behalf of Cultural Marxists who are apparently capable of controlling mass media (beaming TV shows in to "normalize" homosexuality) and have kept their agenda "masked"' from the public since 1919, that masked agenda being to " Western Culture and The Christian Religion".

It's a completely delusional and aggrandized viewpoint and is severely separated from the reality of the social movements it targets (as explained early in well referenced quotes and links to current Misplaced Pages articles).

I'll repeat myself again with emphasis (do not remove it this time):

Systemic conspiracy theories. The conspiracy is believed to have broad goals, usually conceived as securing control of a country, a region, or even the entire world . While the goals are sweeping , the conspiratorial machinery is generally simple: a single, evil organization implements a plan to infiltrate and subvert existing institutions . This is a common scenario in conspiracy theories that focus on the alleged machinations of Jews, Freemasons, or the Catholic Church, as well as theories centered on Communism or international capitalists.

The nature of this usage should NOW be ABUNDANTLY clear to you. --Jobrot (talk) 05:30, 16 May 2015 (UTC)

Didn't remove anything of yours. I did remove DD2K's comment which consisted of name-calling and urging you not to talk to me, but we can leave it up to show what's been going on here for a while. The history should show that I didn't remove or change any of your comments. You really should apologize, and there's absolutely no need to get angry. You seem to have made this page something like a fortress of solitude with you as the sole gatekeeper. You really need to chill-out and let other people add to this so there really can be a neutral article here (my goal this whole time, but you've been fighting me and everyone else who's shown up here for the last five months every step of the way). I saw you said I was "making trouble" at DD2k's talk-page. Oh those awful people who question our assumptions.

This is the first time we've really come to terms and began to actually debate, so I'm happy to get started.

Now, before I respond to your points, (and because I'm a little tired right now to go finding quotes and writing long rebuttals) let's define our parameters: Would you only like to debate Lind's version of Cultural Marxism or is it fair to bring in other definitions or variations of how it's used by other people? I'd prefer to stick to Lind for now but since he's so closely associated with Gottfried we can just stick to the two of them.

Also (and this is just so I know your assumptions), what do you believe is the Frankfurt School's legacy? What I mean is surely you don't think they've had no influence on the modern left? One of the key themes here is the scope and essence of their influence.

Like I said earlier, this is going to have to go a little slower from now on, but I'll get a quote to suggest to add from Gottfried's book by Sunday, and hopefully post a long response to your points by the middle of next week.

Here's an article for you to look at in the meantime. It looks like the guardian article it mentions has several critiques, followed by re-critiques, so I think you should look at them all:

Second Dark (talk) 09:38, 16 May 2015 (UTC)

All I know is that I bolded sections of my response (a few comments ago) and when I came back they were no longer bolded. I'd like to point out that I'm not gate keeping this subject (as evidenced in my arguments) - I'm gate keeping wikipedias policies. Likewise if you ignore those policies or even actively go against them - you ARE making trouble (whether in mainspace or on talk pages). I'll hear from you later re my previous arguments. --Jobrot (talk) 10:43, 16 May 2015 (UTC)

Quotes in Sandbox. Rebuttal coming in a few days. Also, would you like to move philosophical/political discussion to another venue (one of our talk pages maybe)? We're really beginning to take up a lot of space and this should be just a "is the article neutral and what should be added" page. Second Dark

We can talk on here as long as we like, as long as it sticks to the topic and remains a productive editorial discussion. But you're right some of this might be more appropriately discussed on other pages. A lot of what you're saying in your sandbox seems very Gottfried focused, and you might want to consider adding it into Gottfried's page. Personally I feel what's there in your Sandbox is still trying to construct a position that doesn't explicitly exist beyond speculation, and that lacks definitive citation in the original works discussed. This ties in to the lack of self-identifying "Cultural Marxists" (hence their being no sources on that position) and ties in with WP:UNDUE and WP:FRINGE. That is to say, that if there are only sources for "What a Cultural Marxist might be" - and none for what actual Cultural Marxists are claiming - then it starts to seem highly speculative and fits more so and more so under the heading Conspiracy Theory. Misplaced Pages is as always focused on what is known and cited, and hence tends to convey the knowledge from mainstream academia much more readily and easily... but yeah, under WP:DUE it may not be appropriate to have a large or unwieldy quote from Gottfried. Also, due to the AfD WP:FRINGE does apply, and Misplaced Pages has taken it upon it's self to identify and distinguish what has mainstream academic authority from what does not. --Jobrot (talk) 07:48, 18 May 2015 (UTC)

NPOV Tag

What exactly is being claimed as in dispute. All the statements are well sourced. --Jobrot (talk) 03:17, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

If it is in fact the title descriptor "Conspiracy Theory" I would point out that yes, this (in the eyes of key proponents quoted earlier on this talk page);- a theory about a school of philosophers subversively tricking or "brainwashing" (either the public or academia or the media or all three) and then taking over academia and the media in order to introduce (brainwash or trick) "dangerous" ideas into our society in general that will "destroy western culture" can in fact accurately be described as a Conspiracy theory (specifically a Systemic conspiracy theory as defined by Michael Barkun, on the Conspiracy Theory page, and in this specific instance; as studied by Chip Berlet (a journalist interested in studying the nature of conspiracy theories). I posted several links yesterday to illustrate that ,yes, this is the common and currently widest use and understanding of the term 'Cultural Marxism'. I think there was some mistake yesterday with people thinking I was suggesting these links constitute reasonable references for the article. They don't. I was using them merely to illustrate that a cursory Google search reveals this as the commonly understood usage for the term "Cultural Marxism". I believe this, combined with the references that are already in place from the academics Jerome Jamin, J. E. Richardson as well as The Southern Poverty Law center (and associated academics such as Heidi Beririch), as well as direct quotes from the key proponents of the theory themselves (given earlier on this talk page, as well as the ones currently referenced in the section in question) constitute a valid justification for the continued and reasonable use of this title as a descriptor of the section (it also works as a firewall between what the Frankfurt School actually espoused and what the conspiracy theory is claiming). However, if the disputed NPOV tag is in place for other reasons, I'm certainly open to discussing them, and working through whatever aspects are considered non-neutral. --Jobrot (talk) 07:27, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

I believe I've proven that the wide spread common usage (in line with Lind's usage, and the AfD) "that the Frankfurt School originated Political Correctness, Gay rights" (what Lind calls "normalizing homosexuality") "Feminism" (see gamergate), "Multiculturalism, Atheism and Civil Rights" (all of which is disproved by these movements predating the Frankfurt school) - and the fact this section has not been addressed, indicates that for the time being the dispute tag can be removed (for now). The fact that Gottfried's (a single individual's) less common, more moderate viewpoint exists, does not invalidate that the wide spread usage is more in line with Lind's conspiratorial usage (as argued above and elsewhere). Whilst the question of whether Gottfried is to be quoted in the section is still up for debate, this is not the same as debating the valid references that are already present. That is to say, the section is not in dispute, the title has no dispute that can be attached to it (the AfD decided the common usage was WP:FRINGE and that isn't likely to change)... so unless anything other than the section's heading was being questioned, I'd like to remove the dispute tag for now. Please respond here with the subject matter and reason you believe the section to be WP:NPOV if you intend on re-instating the tag. --Jobrot (talk) 13:59, 18 May 2015 (UTC)

Reading this article for the first time, and knowing nothing of the subject matter, I also thought it quite inappropriate that 'conspiracy theory' is used as if a fact rather than reported as a claim made by opponents. I don't doubt that there are sources that use the term, but (as the article Conspiracy theory spells out) 'the term "conspiracy theory" has acquired a derogatory meaning over time and is often used to dismiss or ridicule beliefs in conspiracies'; so Misplaced Pages should not be using an abusive term as a statement of fact. As an analogy, you may well find sources saying George Bush is an idiot, but describing him as such as a matter of fact (e.g. 'During his presidency it became clear that Bush was an idiot', or the heading 'President and idiot') rather than reporting someone else's description of him as an idiot is to say the least unencyclopedic. Ben Finn (talk) 18:41, 31 May 2015 (UTC)

George Bush being an idiot would go against Misplaced Pages's policies on Biographies of Living Persons, that can be read here if you're interested: WP:BLP - however this subject deals with ideas. The main idea behind the claim of "Cultural Marxism" the one that is repeated most thoroughly is that the Frankfurt school is the source of Political Correctness and Multiculturalism. This can be shown to be demonstrably false. A theory involving a party conspiring (in this case "to destroy western culture") which can be shown to be demonstrably false - is by definition a conspiracy theory. These points have been expanded upon multiple times on this very talk page that you're adding to, but namely in the exchange directly above this section. You're welcome to read through this page and the explanations there in, for a reference point I suggest you search this talk page for mention of 'Michael Barkun' and 'Michel Foucault'. Cultural Marxism is a theory about a conspiracy, and is demonstrably false. Hence the title Conspiracy Theory. It is only derogatory in so much as being incorrect is derogatory. --Jobrot (talk) 04:47, 1 June 2015 (UTC)

Further more the current redirect was the result of the AfD on this subject, and so has administrative approval. If the term "Conspiracy Theory" is to be avoided on wikipedia then numerous pages would have to be changed, including pages on the Judeo-Masonic conspiracy theory, the Jewish World Conspiracy (which 'Cultural Marxism' often overlaps with), the New World Order (conspiracy theory), all the 9/11 conspiracy theories and all the Moon landing conspiracy theories. Just because a theory starts with a degree of fact, doesn't excuse it from the label. Yes the Frankfurt School existed, but no they are not responsible for Political Correctness or Multiculturalism. Misplaced Pages is an encyclopedia of FACT. That is exactly what makes it encyclopedic. --Jobrot (talk) 04:58, 1 June 2015 (UTC)

Is there any evidence that Lind, Buchanan or the others regards cultural marxism as a conspiracy? I have never come across such a statement. Gramsci's theories about the real power in society being in the culture, not in the economy is openly published. That Rudi Dutschke picked up this and helped in create the long march is also an accepted fact. Thats Marcuse from the Frankfurt School is the Father of the "New Left" is also common knowledge and accepted.

You bring up the concept of "to destroy western culture" as a proof of conspiracy. The ultimate goal of Marxism have always been to make the world Marxist, so why should Cultural Marxism be any different? Perhaps You disagree with the argument that communism and Marxism have this ultimate goal. Well, that does not make it a conspiracy theory. Traditionally Marxism wanted an armed revolution to spread marxism unitil it embedded all mankind and cultural Marxist wanted the same result though different means (by subverting the culture from within). Even if You don't agree, it's perfectly valid claims supported by tons of academic material from the Marxists themselves. Kaffeburk (talk) 17:21, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

Lind says things like:

"Today, when the cultural Marxists want to do something like “normalize” homosexuality, they do not argue the point philosophically. They just beam television show after television show into every American home where the only normal-seeming white male is a homosexual (the Frankfurt School’s key people spent the war years in Hollywood)." -William S. Lind

Lind is most definitely claiming a small group has taken over and "poisoned" both academia and the mass media. He claims the culture has been "stolen" and says that Karl Marx is "the man behind the curtain".

"The next conservatism should unmask multiculturalism and Political Correctness and tell the American people what they really are: cultural Marxism" -William S. Lind

Lind is most definitely claiming there has been a planned mass deception of the populous with an intentioned outcome. Hence; he's claiming a conspiracy. --Jobrot (talk) 17:41, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

I think we got to the heart of the matter, i open this as a separate section. Kaffeburk (talk) 03:03, 17 June 2015 (UTC)

Possibility of a Conspiracy Theory arbitration case

It's been raised that a possible arbitration case may be on the horizon for this article (in regards to the label conspiracy theory), so I'd like to point any interested party to this partial section of WP:FRINGE:

Main page: Misplaced Pages:Fringe theories

"Misplaced Pages summarizes significant opinions, with representation in proportion to their prominence. A Misplaced Pages article should not make a fringe theory appear more notable or more widely accepted than it is. Claims must be based upon independent reliable sources. If discussed in an article about a mainstream idea, a theory that is not broadly supported by scholarship in its field must not be given undue weight,"

Just making sure everyone is aware of the policy in question on this subject (this being an article about a mainstream idea) and WP:FRINGE applying to topics already deemed conspiracy theory by Misplaced Pages (and in this case by a 3 panel WP:UNINVOLVED admin decision). --Jobrot (talk) 04:00, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

-

There is no "reliable, published sources" in the article regarding "cultural marxism" being a conspiracy theory. None of the three scholars that is cited does have a neutral point of view. They are not independent sources (https://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Independent_sources). Its like citing nazis about the holocaust. All three are part of the "New Left" and highly bias:

(I leave the french out)

(1) Chip Berlet, A member of the 1960s student left. Born in the 1940's went to university during the 1960'

(2) Martin Jay, part of the new left. Born in the 1940's went to university during the 1960's. He sympathizes with the philosophical and political orientation of the school" according to Ben Agger. (The Discourse of Domination: From the Frankfurt School to Postmodernism page 22)

Further, there is no details or any kind of evidence of this conspiracy. Where did William Lind, Pat Buchanan, Paul Weyrich and all the others meet and create this plan? Who is the ringleader? How many people is involved is this plot? Is there any proof at all on "secret planning and deliberate action" to smear the left? All I see it that the left is furious because their marxist roots are exposed. Kaffeburk (talk) 00:25, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

Fringe Theory? Google hits on "Frankfurt School 550,000; on "cultural marxism" or "cultural marxist" 500,000. Almost the same number. There is also a list of professors who them self are left who uses the term "cultural marxism" in academic work. Kaffeburk (talk) 00:45, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

-

Where did William Lind, Pat Buchanan, Paul Weyrich and all the others meet and create this plan? Who is the ringleader? ...well, Paul Weyrich employed William S. Lind at The Free Congress Foundation during the 1990s Culture Wars when the theory of 'Cultural Marxism' was first described as an attempt at "destroying Western culture and the Christian religion" (to quote Lind directly) this was one of the first times 'Cultural Marxism' was aggrandized in this fashion (prior to that it was a relatively obscure term with a rather sedate academic meaning). Through out the 90s Weyrich was extolling the virtues of his new theory to other conservative think tanks in the form of writing letters (here's one to the The National Center for Public Policy Research ). Lind (still working for Weyrich) also gave lectures of their version of 'Cultural Marxism' where ever he could (including at least one holocaust denial conference). All of this is documented. It's not unreasonable to assume that Pat Buchanan being an American conservative politician himself interacted with these two either via a conference, via his own Think Tank, or in person. But then again Buchanan also appears in James "androgynous Jews run Hollywood" Jaeger's "documentary" (not the one on ChemTrails, the one on Cultural Marxism and fiat currency) - so maybe Buchanan picked the theory up there. Who knows. If you have any specific quotes you're interested in introducing, we can discuss the sources and whether they'd be appropriate for this article - keep in mind the bulk of the article is about The Frankfurt School (what it actually stood for and wrote), and only one section is about the related Conspiracy theory. --Jobrot (talk) 12:28, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

That academics with similar views collaborate is not equal to an conspiracy. Misplaced Pages is about facts, and it is not a fact that "cultural marxism" is a "conspiracy theory", it's an opinion and should be presented that way. Its not exactly consensus about this, is there? (understatement) On the contrary, the few academics that push the conspiracy theory have all a strong bias. Kaffeburk (talk) 16:38, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

Please refrain from using this talk page further unless you have a SPECIFIC suggestion of text you want either included or subtracted from the article. A suggestion which can be discussed in an EDITORIAL fashion in line with WP:RS. Thank you. --Jobrot (talk) 17:23, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

Also please learn how to indent your comments properly as per the WP:TPG talk page guidelines. --Jobrot (talk) 17:57, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

Brigading and Battleground Status

It has come to my attention that Second Dark has against my request posted this talk page to the Conservatism Portal Talk page (when clearly the Frankfurt School is not an area covered by their purview). I wished to have good faith on this topic, but my good faith advisories have consistently been ignored by this user (as evidenced in various places on this page, and my multiple references to policy, having pointed them to WP:RS WP:SOAPBOX WP:BATTLEGROUND and WP:FRINGE many times now only to seemingly be ignored).@DD2K, Wtmitchell, Supdiop, MelanieN, and Ubikwit: Before this goes any further or becomes yet another already hashed out already been through repeat of the AFD on this topic I'd like to call on some of the more experienced editors (just going to go through whoever's most recently edited the page) as I don't know what to do when I feel brigaded against or what the rules are on this sort of situation (being an relatively new Wikipedian myself). Advice or opinions? --Jobrot (talk) 04:34, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

My question is: Why are you wasting your time trying to reason with this obvious POV sock? The issue was decided in a long AfD discussion. Just ignore this bs and revert the editor. Dave Dial (talk) 1:12 am, Today (UTC−4)

I posted there because the term is mostly used on the Right; this is why the page needs to be moved to its own location. I hardly think it's out of line. You'll notice that I posted it around the time of my last reply to you.Second Dark (talk) 05:10, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

You said "I'd like to" not "I'm going to" - and that's exactly what my experience with you has been. This is a TALK page, not an ANNOUNCEMENTS page. You continue to feign consensus building, then chuck it all out the window by acting unilaterally anyway. Sorry, I've tried to work with you, but when you're trying to make this about ideology rather than Truth, facts and good research you're taking things too far and running counter to WP:SOAPBOX (which has been cited many times now) as well as counter to what Misplaced Pages is intended to be about. --Jobrot (talk) 05:56, 15 May 2015 (UTC)

It seems this has turned into a more organized effort to WP:battleground this page. --Jobrot (talk) 00:58, 19 May 2015 (UTC)

We have some academics, predominantly conservative who that claims that "cultural marxism" is a valid concept. We have some academics, predominantly radical left who claims it's a conspiracy. Why not leave it there and present the theory and the critique against it? There is in no way any consensus regarding this as there is in theories about the fake moon landing. Kaffeburk (talk) 16:48, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

You need to learn how to use Misplaced Pages. For starters, this talk page we're on right now - it's not a webforum. It's not a place to be used to simply discuss ideas, or talk amongst ourselves. THIS talk page, as with all talk pages is only to be used to discuss additions and subtractions to the wikipedia page it's partnered with. Please cease from using this talk page as a forum WP:FORUM. It is only to be used for editorial discussions. Likewise, please familiarize yourself with wikipedia's sourcing standards, namely WP:RS. --Jobrot (talk) 17:20, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

Please stop creating a straw man of my effort. You distort my input and try to misrepresent it. How did cultural marxism get scrapped in the first place, if not by a discussion? Im sure nobody cut You off that diskussion by accusing You of making wiki into a forum. This article handles a conspiracy fringe theory from a few biased left wing academics as if it where a fact. That's a perfectly valid topic for discussion, because it is against both the guidelines of Misplaced Pages and what Wiki is about. Before You lecture me on "sourcing standards" take a look at the sources used in the article that you support. They are in clear violation of wikis "sourcing standards". Kaffeburk (talk) 17:40, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

The citations in the article are from academics in the fields in question (they are from the schools the article is about, hence experts on the articles topic. Much like scientists are use for articles about science). I'm sorry, this is a place to act in Good Faith WP:GF and encourage PRODUCTIVE discussion. I've already directed you to the AfD on Cultural Marxism, both here and on your user talk page - so for you to ask a question like "How did cultural marxism get scrapped" is highly disrespectful. Please listen to your fellow editors. Misplaced Pages is a collaborative project. If you continue to misuse this place, and not listen to policy-based arguments (and look into what they mean). I'll be forced to report you. Please take some time away from this talk page to read and understand wikipedia's policies. --Jobrot (talk) 17:50, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

Also please learn how to indent your comments properly as per the WP:TPG talk page guidelines. --Jobrot (talk) 17:51, 16 June 2015 (UTC)

edit request: close the blockquote at the end of the article.

122.171.105.223 (talk) 11:21, 9 June 2015 (UTC)

"long march through the institutions of power" never did happen? Its a hoax?

Conspiracy or not, the heart of the matter.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Independent_sources

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