The Michael Shermer Show Andrew Doyle: Trapped Between Woke Dogma and Right-Wing Populism
Andrew Doyle, a writer, satirist, and creator of Titania McGrath, joins the discussion to unravel the concept of 'woke.' He reflects on its transformation from social awareness to a tool for censorship and critiques contemporary interpretations of liberal values. The conversation dives into historical figures like Shakespeare and Milton to illuminate today's cultural dynamics. Moreover, Doyle calls for a return to classical liberalism while tackling issues like equality versus meritocracy and the complexities surrounding transgender rights, aiming for a more balanced societal discourse.
02:13:32
Evolution of 'Woke' Explained
- The term "woke" evolved from meaning awareness of injustice to signifying authoritarianism and cultural bullying.
- It is now understood as a cultural revolution seeking equity by authoritarian means based on group identity.
Wokeness vs Classical Liberalism
- Wokeness is a failure of liberalism, not a liberal movement itself.
- True liberalism embraces difficult tolerance and the messy negotiation of liberty without ideological authoritarianism.
Visiting Milton's Humble Grave
- Andrew Doyle took his students to Milton's grave in a small London church neglected by history.
- Milton was a blind Republican denied burial in Westminster due to his political views.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Evolution of 'Woke' and Cultural Hysteria
01:54 • 14min
Unpacking Wokeness: Authority and Liberalism
15:46 • 22min
The Legacy of John Milton and the Fascination of Historical Encounters
38:05 • 4min
Shakespeare's Shylock and the Complexity of Character
42:16 • 8min
Unraveling the Shakespeare Authorship Debate
50:46 • 24min
Understanding Genius Through the Galton Board
01:14:46 • 2min
The Threat to Artistic Meritocracy in a Woke Era
01:16:24 • 2min
Revisiting 'The Before Time': Polarization and Discourse
01:18:39 • 10min
Navigating Equality: Complexities of Trans Rights and Society
01:28:42 • 18min
Navigating Gender Dysphoria and Medical Ethics
01:47:04 • 14min
Navigating Ideological Extremes
02:01:15 • 12min
Shakespeare and Ovid
Jonathan Bate
This book examines the full range of Shakespeare's works, highlighting Ovid's influence not only in narrative poems and pastoral comedies but also in sonnets and mature tragedies. It explores how Ovid's creative influence is evident in various plays, such as 'Titus Andronicus', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'The Winter's Tale', and 'The Tempest'.
Two Cheers for Democracy
Two Cheers for Democracy
E. M. Forster
Transsexual Apostate
Transsexual Apostate
Debbie Hayton
Aria Pagitica
Aria Pagitica
John Milton
Free Speech And Why It Matters
Andrew Doyle
In this book, Andrew Doyle addresses the current debates on free speech, particularly in the context of social justice activism and legislative restrictions. He argues that free speech is the bedrock of all liberties and that recent trends, such as 'hate speech' legislation and the control of public discourse by tech giants, pose a significant threat to these freedoms. Doyle defends free speech as a foundational principle, emphasizing its importance for education, the exchange of ideas, artistic expression, and safeguarding against indoctrination. He also notes that while he supports free speech, he acknowledges some limits, such as companies insisting on speech codes[1][4][5].
The courage to heal
A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Ellen Bass
Laura Davis
This book combines personal stories and professional insights to guide readers on their healing journey. It focuses on cultivating hope and resilience, demonstrating that healing is possible after trauma. The authors address the long-term effects of abuse, provide practical advice and exercises for self-care, and emphasize personal empowerment and the unique recovery process for each individual. The book also offers resources and advice for those supporting survivors, fostering understanding and empathy[1][4][5].
Letter from the Birmingham jail
Martin Luther King Jr
Dion Graham
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" is a powerful and influential letter written in response to criticism of the civil rights movement. King eloquently defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance and addresses concerns about the methods used to achieve racial equality. The letter is a masterpiece of rhetoric and persuasion, articulating the moral urgency of the struggle for civil rights. King's powerful words and unwavering commitment to justice continue to inspire activists and readers worldwide. The "Letter from Birmingham Jail" remains a cornerstone of the civil rights movement and a testament to the power of nonviolent resistance.
The Case Against the Sexual Revolution
Lewis Perry
Woke
A Guide to Social Justice
Titania McGrath
In 'Woke: A Guide to Social Justice', Titania McGrath offers a satirical exploration of modern social justice movements. The book humorously critiques the superficial aspects of online activism, suggesting that anyone can become an activist by simple actions like adding a rainbow flag to their social media profiles. It delves into the complexities of 'wokeness', using irony to highlight the challenges of navigating contemporary social justice terminology and concepts.
Outliers
The Story of Success
Malcolm Gladwell
In 'Outliers: The Story of Success', Malcolm Gladwell examines the often-overlooked factors that contribute to high levels of success. He argues that success is not solely the result of individual talent or hard work, but rather is influenced by a complex web of advantages and inheritances, including cultural background, family, generation, and luck. The book delves into various examples, such as the success of Bill Gates, the Beatles, and Canadian ice hockey players, to illustrate how these factors play a crucial role. Gladwell also discusses the '10,000-hour rule' and the impact of cultural legacies on behavior and success. The book is divided into two parts: 'Opportunity' and 'Legacy', each exploring different aspects of how success is achieved and maintained.
When Men Behave Badly
The Hidden Roots of Sexual Deception, Harassment, and Assault
David Buss
In 'When Men Behave Badly', David Buss delves into the evolutionary psychology behind male behaviors that interfere with women's choices and goals. The book identifies and documents various 'bad male behaviors' such as pretending to have more status or financial resources, engaging in secret sexual affairs, being hyper-vigilant and controlling, and physically and psychologically abusing women. Buss explains these behaviors through the lens of evolutionary selection, highlighting the role of the Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy) in exacerbating these behaviors. The book also discusses how these behaviors can be addressed at both social and individual levels, emphasizing the need for women to be aware of these traits and for society to implement measures to prosecute and prevent such behaviors.
White Fragility
Why It's so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Michael Eric Dyson
Robin DiAngelo
María Enguix Tercero
The End of Woke
Andrew Doyle
My First Little Book of Intersectional Activism
Titania McGrath
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
Paradise Lost
John Milton
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden. The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights[1][3][5].
The New Puritans
Andrew Doyle
What began as a call for justice has, in many cases, become an engine of conformity. In this searching conversation, Andrew Doyle (author, satirist, and cultural critic) joins Michael Shermer to unpack the trajectory of the woke movement: from its roots in anti-bigotry and awareness to its current entanglement with censorship, identitarian dogma, and ideological rigidity.
Drawing on his new book, The End of Woke Doyle traces the intellectual history of contemporary activism, explores the authoritarian impulses emerging on both the left and the right, and makes the case for a return to classical liberalism as a defense against escalating cultural tribalism.
Together, Shermer and Doyle explore themes ranging from the legacy of Shakespeare and Milton, the tension between equality and meritocracy, and the broader sociopolitical dynamics shaping public discourse.
This episode offers a sharp, historically grounded analysis of one of the defining cultural shifts of our time—and a call to revive liberal principles in the face of rising ideological orthodoxy.
Andrew Doyle is a writer, satirist and political commentator. He was formerly a Visiting Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast, and a lecturer at Oxford University where he completed his doctorate in Renaissance Literature. He is the creator of satirical character Titania McGrath, under whose name he has written two books: Woke: A Guide to Social Justice and My First Little Book of Intersectional Activism, both published by Little, Brown. Titania McGrath has over half a million followers on X. His previous books include Free Speech and Why it Matters and The New Puritans: How the Religion of Social Justice Captured the Western World. His new book is The End of Woke: How the Culture War Went Too Far and What to Expect from the Counter-Revolution.