The Sinister Politics of Politeness Politeness originated as a counterreaction to tyranny. But it was quickly weaponized by elites to control the public. Today, politeness is used both to unify and divide us. So does politeness promote goodwill among our fellow man? Or is it just a tool of The Man to keep us down? Let’s find out in this Wisecrack Edition: The Sinister Side of Being Polite.