Ideas from political policies that were considered crazy, as well as words and expressions that were deemed unacceptable and fringe for many years, are now standard.
This societal shift is known as shifting the Overton Window. It’s happening now in full force because regular people are sick and tired of political correctness, wokeism, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and probably the most offensive one of all, the insistence that we all call a man in a dress, with fully intact junk, a woman. So, read on to learn about the significant cultural shift and why it’s happening.
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What is the Overton Window?
The Overton Window is a concept in political theory that describes the range of ideas considered acceptable or mainstream. It was developed by Joseph P. Overton, who suggested that the viability of an idea is determined by its position within this “window.”
Why the Overton Window Shift Now?
Overton’s Window includes various stages of acceptance for ideas, from “unthinkable” to “policy” and “popular.” Ideas can move within this Window due to changes in public perception, media coverage, and advocacy efforts. For instance, something once considered radical or unacceptable can become mainstream if enough people support it. Conversely, ideas within the Window can be pushed out if they become unpopular. That is why you now see a guy like Zuckerberg pretending to be masculine, even though he’s not pulling it off. It’s become popular to be masculine. It’s a whole new world.
Do you want proof that this shift has occurred without some of you noticing it? Re-read the first sentence of this article. Believe it or not, the words normal and crazy haven’t been used in polite conversation for years because they were considered offensive.
Look at social media platforms such as X, and you will get an idea of where normal people’s heads are today. You’ll see that certain elected officials are being called out for “being little bitches,” because of their “retarded” ideas. You’ll also see that some people are becoming described as “fat losers.” Others are being called; I can’t even say the word, but let’s say that various words that mean unmanly are being thrown around a lot.
One of the reasons that the formerly acceptable became unacceptable for years and are now acceptable again is because of President Donald J. Trump. He’s responsible for the death of ideas such as “toxic masculinity and multiple genders. Now, if you’re opposed to illegal immigration, you’re not a racist.
My goodness.
CBS was just forced to release the FULL Kamala Harris interview that they butchered and severely edited to make her sound like she had a functional brain stem.
She does not. We dodged a bullet.
Kamala is retarded.
I mean it. Watch:pic.twitter.com/vdGo6aPuug
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 5, 2025
Overton’s Window-Societal Norms and Policies Evolve
Over the last decade, several ideas have shifted from “unthinkable” to “popular.” But here’s the rub: they have become so overdone and out there that regular people are just saying no, as former First Lady Nancy Reagan used to say. Here are a few Greta Thunberg-type examples that society is now rebelling against.
The idea of legalizing marijuana for recreational use was once taboo, but it became increasingly accepted and legalized in various states and countries. This idea isn’t even close to being dead, but an amendment to legalize it in Florida, for example, died. Some states are saying hell no. Yes, companies such as Trulieve are trying to revive this amendment, but there’s a vast movement not to let this happen.
Initially met with skepticism, the idea that climate change is real and requires urgent action has become a mainstream concern, leading to significant policy discussions and movements. But now people are saying no to this idea in no small part because they don’t want to be lectured by a weirdo teenager about what’s right and wrong. That’s right. Weirdo, as an insult, has made a huge comeback.
Recognizing diverse gender identities beyond the traditional male-female binary gained popularity, promoting greater acceptance and understanding of gender fluidity. Not anymore. President Trump has said that our country will only recognize two genders from now on. Right before the last presidential election, he famously stated that he works for “you,” not “they and them.” Most voters saw that statement as a welcome return to the norm.
Before the pandemic, working from home or remotely was often seen as unorthodox in many industries. However, COVID-19 transformed it into a widely accepted practice. Working at home works for some, but not for most. Work productivity suffered, and now people are saying, “Put on your big boy pants and get your lazy ass to work.”
Conservative or Republican ideas, Once Radical, Now Mainstream
Meanwhile, some conservative ideas once considered radical have gained traction and become more mainstream. Here are a few examples:
The rise of populist and nationalist sentiments, particularly during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, has shifted the Republican Party’s focus to issues like immigration control, trade protectionism, and prioritizing American interests over globalism.
Deregulation has long been a conservative principle; recent movements to significantly roll back regulations in various sectors (like environmental protections and financial regulations) have gained mainstream support within the party.
School choice, including vouchers and charter schools, was once a niche concept, but it has gained broader acceptance as a fundamental part of education reform discussions within conservative circles.
While gun rights have always been a key issue for conservatives, the increasing emphasis on protecting Second Amendment rights in response to mass shootings and gun control debates has solidified the idea of a mainstream conservative stance.
It’s OK to Say Gay-Word Acceptability Has Changed Too
Language evolves, and some words or expressions that were once deemed unacceptable have seen a resurgence in use or acceptance. Crazy and normal are just two of many of those words. Here are other examples:
Bitch is still contentious, but some feminists have reclaimed the term as a way to assert power. That was then. Now, it’s being used to describe men who act like wussies (I’m still uncomfortable with the word). It’s particularly effective on X, often used to describe politicians being called out by their constituents.
The word hysterical has a complex history. It became a derogatory term, mainly directed at women. Now, we’re back to using it as another word for hilarious. Some think it’s hysterical that we ever stopped using it.
Retarded as an insult to describe someone who acts like an idiot is back. This one is pretty obnoxious and insulting, but maybe that’s why some social media people love it and laugh hard when they read it.
Overton’s Window has made a massive shift because of all of us. We got sick of political correctness and the overall Bud Lighting of America. We, the people, won the fight, but remember that if we don’t hold politicians and media accountable, we could lose the war. Stay vigilant.
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