A Funhouse Mirror
- Deric Hollings
- May 1
- 5 min read
I recently listened to a discussion between journalists Lee Fang and Leighton Woodhouse on the Rumble channel of Glenn Greenwald, as both individuals expressed topics about which I’ve written within my blog. To you, I submit the following dialogue with links to my prior posts:
Fang: I’ve had, you know, kind of guarded optimism about the Trump administration. I was hoping for a clean break around some of these issues—around speech, around public safety, around some of the illiberalism from the Left, DEI and other concerns.
And, in some ways, in the first few weeks of the administration, I think there were many glimmers of hope. But it seems to have taken a pretty dark turn. And I think for folks who are feeling very politically homeless, over the last couple years, we’re even maybe more homeless. I don’t know. Are we being pushed back into the Left? How do you feel?
Woodhouse: I feel like we’ve been consistent, actually, because if our reservations with the Left back in say the period of, like, 2015 to 2024 or so was its creeping authoritarianism, the way in which dissent was squelched through cancel culture, orthodoxy was enforced, you know, that kind of a thing; this is just a continuation of that with a different political valiance.
I mean, when I say “continuation of that,” I mean, like, it’s the exact same playbook; specifically, around antisemitism and creating safe spaces on campuses. This is identical to what we saw under the Left.
And so I think that if you were concerned about that with the Left and you’re not concerned about it now, then you are inconsistent, possibly hypocritical, and partisan in your outlook. The principled position, I think, it to be opposed to this kind of authoritarianism whether it comes from the Right or the Left. And I just see it as a repeat. It’s just a funhouse mirror of what happened with the Left.
I appreciate the perspectives of Fang and Woodhouse, as they addressed matters about which I’ve written and regard as relevant for consideration. When contemplating their discussion, I’m reminded of what I stated in a blogpost entitled Unconditional Life-Acceptance:
In adulthood, building upon my knowledgebase related to horseshoes, I learned about horseshoe theory. Describing this concept, one source states:
In political science and popular discourse, the horseshoe theory asserts that the extreme left and the extreme right, rather than being at opposite and opposing ends of a linear political continuum, closely resemble each other, analogous to the way that the opposite ends of a horseshoe are close together.
I’m not sure that the term anti-politicism applies to me, as it describes apathy or antipathy towards all political affiliations. I care about some political topics though I do not take part in the political process.
I’m neither indifferent nor hostile to political matters. Therefore, and for lack of a better label, being interested though uninvolved in politics may best be characterized as apolitical—which is what I consider myself.
Irrespective of my apoliticism, I pay attention to sociopolitical matters within the United States (and from time to time elsewhere). When assessing these matters, I use thinking which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason) as a method of not self-disturbing. How about you?
What do you do when staring into a funhouse mirror? Or do you altogether avoid peering into the reflective abyss? If you’d like to know how to un-disturb yourself regarding matters over which you have no control and little influence, then I look forward to hearing from you.
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Greenwald, G. (2025, April 30). Lee Fang and Leighton Woodhouse look back on Trump’s first 100 days; Lara Friedman on new laws barring Israel criticism | System Update #446 [Video]. Rumble. Retrieved from https://rumble.com/v6ssk5d-lee-fang-and-leighton-woodhouse-look-back-on-trumps-first-100-days.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp
Hollings, D. (2024, July 18). A principled stance on free speech. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-principled-stance-on-free-speech
Hollings, D. (2024, July 21). A spring of hope. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-spring-of-hope
Hollings, D. (2023, May 11). Catering to DEIA. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/catering-to-deia
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Intercept, The. (n.d.). Leighton Akio Woodhouse. Retrieved from https://theintercept.com/staff/leighton-woodhouse/
Niles cc Lover. (2024). Mirrors all over the walls of a funhouse [Image]. NightCafe. Retrieved from https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/xhFGKCpSruRrjJkMjvuw
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