culture war
Definition
A conflict between societal groups with different values, beliefs, and practices, often centered on issues like politics, religion, gender, and social morality.
A metaphor for the polarization of public opinion where discourse is replaced by a perpetual state of symbolic combat over identity and lifestyle.
Examples
If we spent half as much time solving actual policy problems as we do winning the culture war on social media, we might actually see some progress.
The latest campus controversy proves that a simple essay can now trigger a full-scale culture war, turning a freshman’s grade into a headline news event.
It is truly impressive how politicians can turn any mundane public issue into an existential culture war just in time for the next election cycle.
Modern discourse has evolved into a culture war where everyone is armed with a keyboard and an absolute, unwavering certainty that they are the only person who understands history.