Hyperactive Righteousness Syndrome: A Cross-Ideological Affliction

Large swaths of the right and the left both suffer from hyperactive righteousness syndrome, where they judge others based on their own rigid and often self-referential moral codes. While the specific moral failings they perceive may differ, the underlying behavior remains strikingly similar, revealing a shared human tendency to moralize and police others’ actions and enforce purity tests.

This syndrome manifests itself a bit differently on each side. On the left, hyperactive righteousness often takes the form of social and cultural gatekeeping. You’re a ‘bad person’ or ‘problematic’ for failing to meet exacting standards of virtue, particularly in the realms of social justice, environmentalism, or identity politics.

You don’t virtue signal enough. How dare you stay silent on a topic you don’t understand, or put a black square up for BLM?

The language police will quickly show up at your doorstep if you fail to use the right pronouns, or use ‘ableist’ terminology .

It’s not enough not to b…