Thoughts on the Overton window

The Overton window is an ass

Are you familiar with the “Overton window”?

The Overton window is a concept which establishes the boundaries for what is considered acceptable discourse within a society at any given point in time. For instance, we would consider totalitarian states as societies in which free thought and open speech is significantly restricted, perhaps even forbidden entirely. In these countries, the Overton window would be vanishingly small. By comparison, and at least until fairly recently, we would likewise have considered the Overton window in our western societies as being fairly broad. However, recent legislation restricting free speech is perhaps narrowing this window of acceptable discourse.

Wikipedia: The Overton Window

Although many would consider the Overton window as a concept which covers the total state of acceptable discourse in a society, it is perhaps more realistic to consider the window as being distinct within each different area of public debate. Perhaps it is more correct to state that there are many Overton windows within any given society? For example, we might say that the Overton window regarding the question of mental health has broadened in recent years, whereas perhaps acceptable discourse surrounding issues of immigration has likewise become more narrow? It is also around this point that the usefulness of the concept starts to collapse. You may vehemently disagree with my assessment regarding the openness of these discourses. In fact, you may consider the status of these discourse to be the exact opposite.

So perhaps the concept is only useful insofar as it establishes that there exists a range of acceptable opinion within a society on any given issue, and that this range expands and contracts over time based upon societal developments. As far as I am aware, there is no commonly agreed framework which can be meaningly used to establish an approximate size of this “window”.

But is the idea of a “window” itself really any good? Societal discourse is a dynamic concept, contracting and expanding over time. Rather than being a fixed fixture, it is in fact natural and organic. In my opinion, the Overton window is actually an ass, and I mean this quite literally. The “Overton window” is, in actual fact, an “Overton anus”.

Consider the proposition. When you are rested and relaxed you find that you are receptive toward new ideas, new ways of thinking and of seeing the world. Your body is loose and calm, and it so follows that your anus is also entirely relaxed. A relaxed anus is also in fact very flexible (or so I am told). It can adjust to fit ideas or hold concepts which are long, hard and difficult. Ideas can now more easily penetrate the anus, ideas which it could not otherwise entertain.

Now consider the impact on the Overton anus when a person is stressed and tense. The anus in these circumstances is tight, almost entirely closed. During such times, a person will not typically be susceptible to new thoughts or ideas. The range of acceptable discourse has now contracted, in fact under these circumstances you could say that the Overton anus is very restricted. Try shoving a new idea into a contracted Overton anus and you will find that this is a very difficult proposition indeed (or so I am also told).

Take the example of a normal day in the office. You conduct your affairs in a business attire (perhaps a suit and even a tie) and in this setting you are extremely mindful as to the exact boundaries of acceptable discourse. You cannot call your colleagues “assholes”, in fact you most likely cannot even allow yourself to entertain the thought. Now fast forward a few hours to the bar or the restaurant that same evening. You have had a few drinks, perhaps even undone your shirt a button or two, and you have definitely removed your tie. How do you feel? You feel relaxed and so too does your anus. At this point you have no qualms whatsoever in sharing with everyone you encounter your true opinions, especially regarding work and those asshole colleagues. What has changed? Well, largely due to the social setting and the result of all those gin brambles, your Overton anus has significantly expanded.

If still you remain unmoved by this argument, allow us to instead conduct the following experiment.

First of all, close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. As you become more relaxed, you can then start to loosen your belt and pants. Adjust your seating, leaning your body over to the right side and now take the middle finger of your left hand and gently insert it into your anus.

How does this feel? Are you comfortable?

Now there is a chance that you are reading this newsletter whilst seated in a public space, perhaps the library or a cafe. For any readers in these circumstances, I would advise you to stand up and inform those around you that there is no cause for distress. Politely inform your fellow patrons that you are conducting an important social science experiment. But please do not at any point remove your finger, for this would disrupt our business of “doing the work”.

Ready to proceed? Good. Please consider the following statement:

Donald Trump is a criminal and should not be allowed to run for President.

Take notice of what impact this statement has upon your Overton anus? For most people it will either significantly contract or it will become relaxed, all depending on your personal view toward the man.

Now close your eyes again and take a deep breath. Slowly open your eyes and now instead consider the following:

Donald Trump is a victim of a witch hunt by the deep state but will overcome this and be elected POTUS in 2024.

What has happened? Most likely you have experienced the exact opposite effect as to your reaction to the first statement.

What does this mean? Well, we have just illustrated that the Overton anus is an organic and living concept, it will dramatically adjust based not on our own ideas and thoughts, but also equally, if not more so, based on an external stimuli. It all makes you start to wonder whether our thoughts and belief systems are in fact rational concepts, or whether we are all just enslaved to our reptilian brain?

So what has this re-evaluation of the concept of the Overton window/anus achieved? It has demonstrated that a healthy society is a society in which the boundaries of acceptable discourse are relaxed and open. There will naturally be fluctuations in the boundaries of acceptable discourse, for this is itself a fluctuating concept. However, societies where the Overton window/anus fluctuates too far in either direction, should be a matter of significant concern. Too loose of an asshole and all manner of shit is likely to pass through at any given notice, and this just will not do. It is considered very bad manners to unwittingly spray your fellow man with the explosive diarrhoea of your poorly thought out ideas and thoughts (activists are well known examples of this). Likewise, should it be too constricted and tight, allowing no manner of original thought to pass and we will experience a stagnation and rupturing of our society and discourse. For an example of this consider the recent output from Hollywood, geriatric politicians of all hues, etc.

It is therefore important to always bear in mind that ours is a society full of assholes, and so it follows that we need a healthy discourse to counter-act this.

By the way, you can remove your finger(s) now.