#1783 - Ben Burgis

In 'Canceling Comedians While the World Burns', Ben Burgis critiques the contemporary left's approach to cancel culture, particularly in relation to comedians. He argues that this focus on policing speech can be counterproductive to broader social change and alienates potential allies. Drawing on Mark Fisher's work, Burgis suggests that the left should focus on material change rather than symbolic performances of virtue.

In *The Cult of Smart*, Fredrik deBoer critiques the current education system for fostering a class structure based on intellectual ability. He argues that the system cannot provide equal opportunities due to inherent differences in cognitive talent and instead advocates for a shift towards equality of outcomes. DeBoer challenges the notion that intelligence is the sole measure of human worth and proposes radical reforms to dismantle the existing meritocratic model.

In 'So You've Been Publicly Shamed', Jon Ronson delves into the phenomenon of online shaming and its historical antecedents. The book features interviews with individuals who have been subjected to intense public shaming, including Jonah Lehrer, a journalist who plagiarized quotes, and a woman who was shamed for a tweet at an airport. Ronson also speaks with practitioners of modern public humiliation and examines the immediate and long-term consequences of such shaming. The book raises questions about righteousness, reputation, and conformity in the context of social media and its impact on individuals and society.