Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps Has Feminism Been Hijacked?
Nov 9, 2026
Catharine Lumby, an Australian media professor, journalist, author, and longtime feminist commentator, reflects on how activism has changed since the 1970s. She explores intersectionality, ideological purity, campus protests over Gaza, antisemitism in progressive movements, trans rights, gender-critical feminism, social-media polarization, and the urgent need to restore disagreement, dialogue, and free thought.
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When Intersectionality Fragments Solidarity
- Intersectionality usefully recognizes compounded disadvantage, but excessive focus on micro-identities can fragment collective movements.
- Lumby argues that people who retreat into individual lived experience may abandon the pragmatic solidarity needed for political change.
Algorithms Reward Historical Simplification
- Lumby says activists often reduce the Israel-Hamas war to a simple colonial morality tale while ignoring its complex history and Hamas's role.
- She also warns that social-media algorithms create ideological rabbit holes, unlike legacy media's stronger fact-filtering obligations.
The Crocodile Hunter Who Supported Trans Rights
- Trans woman Kate Doak disclosed her identity to National Party politician Warren Ench, a former crocodile hunter.
- Ench responded with compassion because he had previously protected a gender-nonconforming person from homophobic violence, challenging assumptions about political allies.
