Blocked and Reported Premium: Bluesky Users Go To War With Mods Over... Waffles
Oct 24, 2025
Waffles-gate ignites a heated online debate over Bluesky's refusal to ban a controversial figure. The hosts dissect the surprising drop in trans identification based on new data, unraveling the complexities of social influence versus innate identity. They also trace the origins of a 'waffles' meme that sparked drama on the platform. Alongside discussions about Jesse's experiences with harassment and social dynamics, they explore quirky topics like breakfast preferences, driving logistics, and housing affordability in America.
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New Data Suggests A Drop In Trans IDs
- Jean Twenge found CES data showing a rise then sharp fall in youth trans and non-binary identification between 2021–2023.
- The result suggests a potential real decline but is preliminary and sensitive to survey design and missing 2025 data.
Question Wording Can Change Conclusions
- Survey wording matters: Kaufman's analysis used questions that didn't ask about transgender identity directly, undermining his conclusion.
- Twenge's CES-based approach more directly measures trans ID and gives different, more credible results.
Labels Mask Diverse Experiences
- Gender identity survey results capture a broad umbrella from classical transgender to newer non-binary categories, making interpretation tricky.
- Jesse argues peer and cultural influence likely play a role in recent youth identity trends and should not be dismissed.