Even adherents of the Woke movement will sometimes have to admit that their dogmas can sometimes flower strangely. But even more absurd, by far, is the reaction of conservative and right-wing circles to everything they define as “woke”. This shows best the completely insane reaction of conservative American politicians to a new energy-saving mode on the Microsoft Xbox console.
According to a report by Newsweek Republican representatives have described two new (of course only optional) features of the Xbox Series X/S as an attack by the “Woke Brigades” who want to “take the Xbox away from the owners”. And even if the word “crazy” is harsh and judgmental: Sorry, there’s no other way to sum it up.
“Active hours” and more economical sleep mode
Because the two new features – “active hours” and an improved sleep mode that allows background updates but uses far less energy – are undoubtedly a sensible thing. Microsoft promises here that “there will be no impact on performance, gameplay or the console’s ability to receive updates overnight”.
Yet an article on the ultra-conservative, conspiratorial, and all-considered-left-hating side Blaze Media has hinted that Microsoft is “forcing gamers to shut down (the Xbox) to fight climate change”. The actual article isn’t even wrong or overly inflammatory, but the lurid headline was enough for some republican empty heads (editor’s note: sorry, that’s also a fact) for “anti-woke propaganda”.
“First the gas stove, then the coffee, now they’re going after the Xbox,” wrote influential Texas Senator Ted Cruz Twitter alluding to, among other things, the recent uproar over gas stove safety concerns. One user correctly responded: “A default doesn’t mean they’re ‘pushing’ anyone to do anything. As an Xbox owner, I’ve had that option for a while. I appreciate that (Microsoft) offers it.”
Facts are of course becoming more and more irrelevant in Republican politics, and so other politicians also picked it up: “They want to take away your guns, they want to take away your gas stoves, and now they also want to take away your Xbox,” wrote Cruz’s party colleague Troy Nehls.
But Scott Walker, head of the Republican youth organization Young America’s Foundation, shot the woken bird: “Now the ‘Woke Brigade’ is targeting video games, all in the name of climate change.”
Editor’s Note: This article contains traces of a comment, but as our neighbor puts it, “No different!”
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