GREG LUKIANOFF: Cancel culture – the *non-hysterical* reason why we should be very worried
Jul 2, 2024
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Guest Greg Lukianoff, an attorney and best-selling author, discusses the rise of cancel culture and its impact on free speech with host Sarah Wilson. They explore the blurred lines between advocacy and canceling, solutions for parents, and the societal implications of cultural dignity and polarization. The conversation also touches on mental health challenges, Julian Assange's case, and the importance of teaching respectful disagreement in a society marked by individualism.
Cancel culture threatens free speech by targeting individuals for protected speech.
Social media amplifies polarization and tribalism, complicating the balance between free speech and marginalized voices.
Academic freedom faces risks from cancel culture, emphasizing the need to preserve diverse perspectives in discourse.
Deep dives
Origin and Definition of Cancel Culture
Cancel culture, a phenomenon recognized around 2014 and accelerated post-2020, involves campaigns seeking to remove individuals for protected speech under the First Amendment rights. The upsurge in such actions intensified, notably probing professors and students over statements made even in high school. Social media played a crucial role in amplifying these movements, building digital mobs to exert pressure on firing individuals.
The Influence of Social Media and Identity Politics
Social media hastened the polarization and tribalism in society, exacerbating the us-versus-them mentality. Identity politics, while aiming to protect marginalized groups, can also be weaponized as a winning argument tactic. The blurred lines between free speech advocacy and protecting marginalized voices highlight the complexities in balancing civil discourse while safeguarding diverse perspectives.
Challenges to Free Speech and Constructive Dialogue
Instances of professors facing repercussions for controversial research or opinions signal a concerning trend, impacting academic freedom and intellectual exploration. The silencing of dissenting voices within academia poses risks to the foundational principles of free speech and knowledge dissemination. Navigating the delicate balance between safeguarding marginalized groups and fostering constructive discussions remains a critical societal challenge in combating cancel culture and preserving free speech.
Impact of Political Leanings on Mental Health
The podcast explores how political leanings, especially among young individuals, affect mental health. It highlights that factors like social media use and political orientation contribute to higher rates of depression and anxiety, particularly among left-leaning women. The discussion reveals a correlation between conservative ideologies and lower levels of reported depression, while progressively left-leaning views are associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms.
The Influence of Community and Ideological Shifts
The episode delves into the impact of community dynamics and ideological shifts on mental well-being, particularly focusing on the rise of left progressivism. It discusses how cognitive distortions prevalent in social justice fundamentalism can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and hopelessness. The conversation emphasizes the importance of resilience-building and anti-fragility, suggesting that equipping individuals, especially the youth, with coping skills and a sense of agency can counteract the negative effects of ideological polarization.
Greg Lukianoff (New York Times best-selling author, attorney) co-wrote the blockbuster The Coddling of the American Mind, which argued we were failing young people by rendering them fragile victims. Then, 10 days after October 7, he came out with the first book to comprehensively track the rise of cancel culture -The Canceling of the American Mind.
Greg, who’s also CEO of FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expressions) and I talk through the confused aetiology of cancel culture and free speech, why the debate has been weaponised by both the Left and Right and he also outlines a bunch of solutions for parents wishing to raise kids who won’t buy into it. I am far from a free speech absolutist and take issue with America’s obsession with the First Amendment, but the subject fascinates me because it exposes so many other fault lines in our society that need to be understood urgently.