Ostensibly rigorous and realistic, contemporary conservatism is an ideology of denial. Its symbol is a smile button.

Summary

This quote suggests that despite appearing intellectually rigorous and grounded in reality, modern conservatism actually functions by denying or ignoring certain truths or issues. The use of the smile button as a symbol implies that conservatism presents a friendly and positive image, but underneath it hides a refusal to confront or acknowledge uncomfortable realities. In essence, the quote highlights the discrepancy between the outward appearance and the underlying nature of contemporary conservatism, presenting it as an ideology that avoids difficult truths instead of openly addressing them.

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