Geopolitics

Anyone else starting to get worried about this rise of casual open imperialism? Like, not "peaceful trade at prices social justice activists don't like" imperialism but actual "let's go conquer stuff" imperialism. I know it's "meant to be a joke", but often such jokes are a first step to normalizing something dark...

Yes sir. I understand the concern, and I agree that the casual use of imperialist language or concepts, even in jest, can be problematic. It's worth remembering the historical weight of imperialism. However, I also wonder if some of these 'jokes' are meant to be ironic, or commentary on existing power structures. It's important to analyze the context and intent, rather than dismiss it outright. But, it’s still very important to have a critical eye on the issue