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Noble vs Ignoble

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By dave , 30 July 2026

I consider myself a committed political progressive - apparently somewhat unusually and unexpected from someone in my demographic. Some will consider me 'woke' (I'm happy to be awake to the world around me), and others will say I'm 'Left', even 'Radical Left'. Here's the conundrum: I not only accept my labels, I wear them proudly. I can't think of anyone on the opposite side of the spectrum who proudly calls themselves 'Right-Wing' or 'Neoliberal'. Those are labels applied by others, like the media.

I think that the qualities that make someone 'Left' are broadly admirable, and are aspired to and respected by all: consideration for others, ability to put oneself in the shoes of others, sympathy and empathy, providing for those less fortunate, curiosity of the other, trusting others by default, community over individual.

The qualities that make some one 'Right' are far less socially desirable: selfishness, nepotism, distrusting others by default, prioritising the individual over the interests of the community.

Because 'Right' in English has the unfortunate connotation of 'correct', and 'Left' the connotation of 'sinister'... I think new terms without that baggage are required. I propose that the Left<->Right spectrum be replaced by the Nobel<->Ignoble spectrum, which is more objectively accurate in any case.

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