Josh Wolfe Warns Against Tolerating Intolerance, Advocates for Coexistence

Venture capitalist Josh Wolfe has issued a stark warning regarding the perils of unchecked tolerance, asserting that "Tolerance of the intolerance doesn't create FEAR or PHOBIA. It breeds HATE + VIOLENCE + DOMINATION." In a recent social media post, Wolfe, co-founder of Lux Capital, urged a reevaluation of societal approaches to diverse beliefs, concluding with a direct call to "Choose coexistence."

Wolfe's statement began by directly addressing the concept of Islamophobia, stating, "Do NOT be Islamophobic." He then presented a hypothetical scenario to illustrate the extreme form of exclusion he believes should not be passively accepted: > "All you have to do is accept in your heart Christians, Hindus, Jews, Atheists are not welcome." This rhetorical device highlights the type of fundamental intolerance that, if tolerated, could lead to societal breakdown.

The entrepreneur's commentary echoes the philosophical concept known as the "paradox of tolerance," first articulated by Karl Popper. This paradox suggests that for a tolerant society to survive, it must reserve the right to not tolerate intolerance itself, especially when such intolerance threatens the very fabric of an open society by seeking to abolish tolerance. Wolfe's post serves as a contemporary application of this principle.

As a prominent figure in the tech and investment world, Wolfe has consistently advocated for nuanced understanding in public discourse. Previous statements from him have championed "peace + coexistence + civil discourse" and denounced "religious fundamentalism," while also distinguishing between Islam as a religion and extremist ideologies. He previously stated that "Denouncing islamofacism + calls for global Islamic jihad—is not islamophobia."

His recent tweet reinforces this stance, urging individuals and communities to actively resist ideologies that promote exclusion and division. The call for coexistence underscores a commitment to mutual respect and shared societal values, particularly in an era marked by escalating global tensions and heightened discussions around identity and belief.