Origin Story with David McIntosh Jr cover image

Origin Story with David McIntosh Jr

#102 Rory Sutherland - How to Avoid Being Cancelled: Marketing Genius Warns Us of Comedy and It's Enemies

Jan 12, 2024
Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy and author of "Alchemy," shares his insights on the tricky world of cancel culture and comedy. He explains why society has become overly sensitive and how humor evolves with it. The conversation takes wild turns, including a near-miss with comedy and the Queen's doctor and a fascinating chat about the Concorde's infamous failure. Sutherland also touches upon the role of AI in the job market and reflects on the themes of class and creativity in the film 'Saltburn.'
01:33:56

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Rory Sutherland emphasizes that humor, while a societal touchstone, risks being sanitized by cancel culture, undermining its authenticity.
  • The Abilene Paradox illustrates the dangers of group conformity in decision-making, revealing how it can lead to collective dissatisfaction.

Deep dives

The Sensitivity of Humor

The podcast delves into the complexities of humor in contemporary society, focusing on why people are increasingly sensitive to jokes. Rory Sutherland posits that humor serves as a societal touchstone, often testing boundaries, yet the fear of backlash has led to a more cautious approach among comedians. He discusses notable comedians like Ricky Gervais and Frankie Boyle, highlighting how their styles have faced scrutiny and cancellation due to their edgy material. The discussion suggests that the very essence of comedy relies on the risk of offending, which, if sanitized, strips it of its genuine humor.

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