Gender: A Wider Lens

137 - Conspiracy Theories, Hoaxes, and the Detransition Time Bomb with Wilfred Reilly

Oct 20, 2023

Wilfred Reilly, an Associate Professor of Political Science, discusses gender, detransitioning, and ideological extremism. The conversation explores challenges in obtaining reliable statistics on detransitioning, media bias, and the medicalization of gender. They also touch on debunking misconceptions, misinterpretations of racism on college campuses, and the impact of online communities on behavior.

01:10:10

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Episode guests

Wilfred Reilly

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Quick takeaways

Challenging prevailing narratives about gender and detransition, Wilfred Reilly prompts critical examination of the medicalization of gender and the need for reliable statistics and research in this field.

Highlighting the dangerous effects of rigid belief systems, Reilly emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and critical thinking to prevent extremism on both the left and the right.

The internet's role in creating online communities and subcultures has expanded opportunities for self-expression but also contributed to isolation, limited exposure to diverse perspectives, and a sense of paranoia and fear.

Deep dives

The Perspective of Wilfred Riley on Gender and Politics

Wilfred Riley, an associate professor of political science at Kentucky State University, offers a unique perspective on gender and politics. He challenges traditional views and explores the social and political aspects of the left-wing and right-wing ideologies. Riley emphasizes the need to look beyond psychological perspectives and consider a wide range of factors when examining gender. He also discusses how existing data, such as online surveys and Reddit communities, can be used to predict and estimate trends in detransition, highlighting the importance of understanding the potential impact of detransition.

Introduction

2min

Analyzing Myths and Media Bias

18min

Misinterpreted Incidents on a College Campus

6min

Detransition Research and Online Communities

22min

Exploring the Collective vs Individual Dynamic in Politics

4min

Medicalization of Transitioning and Shifting Political Perspectives

6min

Societal Shifts and Attitudes

12min

Stella & Sasha welcome Wilfred Reilly to the program for an intriguing conversation touching on gender and medicalization, political affiliations and extremism, violence and discrimination, societal myths and data analysis, and the impact of the internet on niche interests and mental health.

Wilfred Reilly is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kentucky State University, a historically Black institution. His research interests include International Relations, contemporary American race and gender relations, and the use of modern quantitative/empirical methods to test ‘sacred cow’ theories.

In this episode, they delve into the issues surrounding gender, addressing concerns about youth and gender transition for children. They explore the challenges of obtaining reliable statistics on detransitioning and the difficulties in conducting research in the field of gender due to ideological biases. The conversation underscores the role of media bias and the evolving landscape of identity, alluding to the potential consequences of the medicalization of gender-related issues and the need for more open discussion and data collection considering that even academic studies are sometimes targeted and obstructed by activists.

The discussion also touches on the broader issues of ideological extremism and its implications for society. Wilfred shares his insights into debunking misconceptions related to topics like police violence and discrimination. He also shares about instances of fake hate crimes on college campuses, shedding light on how seemingly innocuous events were misconstrued and magnified, highlighting the prevalence of victimization and the consequences of seeking attention through such incidents. Sasha raises concerns about the impact of such ideological paranoia on people's mental health and interpersonal relationships while Wilfred draws parallels between this ideological extremism and traditional religious beliefs, suggesting that both can lead to a level of paranoia and fear. This conversation offers no shortage of intriguing stories that challenge common narratives and assumptions.

Links:

Attend Genspect’s: The Bigger Picture

https://genspect.org/the-bigger-picture-continues-denver-colorado/

Wilfred Reilly on Twitter

https://twitter.com/wil_da_beast630

Buy Wilfred Reilly’s Books

Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me

https://www.amazon.com/Lies-My-Liberal-Teacher-Told-ebook/dp/B0BDZMZJ4C

Taboo: 10 Facts You Can't Talk About

https://www.amazon.com/Taboo-Facts-Cant-Talk-About/dp/162157928X

Hate Crime Hoax: How the Left is Selling a Fake Race War

https://www.amazon.com/Hate-Crime-Hoax-Lefts-Campaign/dp/1621577783