The prevalence of idiosyncratic flags and bumper stickers is not merely a social observation; it represents a conscious effort to establish a more solid identity, especially when individuals feel they have lost their agency in polite society. This phenomenon is, paradoxically, an attempt to assert one’s individuality and stand out while simultaneously normalizing extreme views.
For example, a "Come and Take It" bumper sticker signals a readiness to fight for one’s rights. In contrast, a "Coexist" bumper sticker asserts that universal peace and tolerance are more virtuous than adhering to any specific religion.
More fundamentally, why is this trend seemingly necessary? When governments, corporations, and institutions fail to serve the needs of the people, individuals seek their own unification. When economic systems falter and fail to ensure survival, people often revert to tribalism as a pathological return.
Even when trapped in the belly of the beast, humans will sharpen their resolve.