Abortion, vaccines, and the essence of modernity

The Texas law banning abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy has been the center of discussions across the political spectrum in the media, social and establishment, and among activists since taking effect at the start of this month, especially as the U.S. Supreme Court is the farthest to the right wing that this branch of government has been since the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973. But there is a deeper matter here, the question of strategy that should frame all considerations of the momentary tactics under debate. We are witnessing — and being called, if not forced, to participate in — a war in the era of Trumpism with the revanchist forces of the past seeking to pull down the future.

This will sound hyperbolic, though in the present state of affairs, moderation feels not only weak, but in fact impossible, and if Trump has given anything good to our political discourse, it is clarity about where one ought to stand. Nevertheless, what I mean to say here is that this abortion bill is but one element of a broad movement that seeks to erase modernity.

Time for definitions. Ever since the Agricultural Revolution, we have incorporated increasing levels of technology in our lives, be it the planting of seeds or the manufacture of semiconductors. We have employed labor-saving devices, be they human or mechanical workers, for the…