332. Cancel Culture & Comedy: Triggernometry's Francis Foster
Nov 13, 2023
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Comedian Francis Foster discusses cancel culture's impact on comedians, the importance of freedom of speech, and the need to challenge tribalistic thinking. They also highlight the value of open-mindedness, expert opinions, and taking responsibility in confronting life's unfairness. The podcast episode touches on feminism, gender ideology, and the promotion of 'Trigonometry' podcast.
Cancel culture leads to self-censorship and less provocative comedy in the industry.
Society prioritizing appearing virtuous over telling the truth hinders growth.
Confronting extremist opinions and promoting open dialogue are crucial for societal progress.
Deep dives
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The Impact of Cancel Culture on Comedians
Cancel culture, along with groupthink and online bullying, has created challenges for comedians, particularly those who are starting out and don't have a large following. The fear of being canceled or blacklisted by clubs can lead to self-censorship, resulting in less provocative and interesting comedy in the industry.
The Importance of Truth and Authenticity in Society
The podcast episode discusses the importance of truth and authenticity in society. The hosts express their concern about the current state of society, where people prioritize appearing virtuous over telling the truth. They highlight examples of this, such as the debate on gender identity, where they argue for a distinction between biological sex and gender identity, and criticize the pressure to conform to certain opinions. They believe that discomfort and disagreement are essential for societal progress, and that avoiding uncomfortable truths only hinders growth.
The Problem of Ideology and Extremism
The podcast also addresses the issues of ideology and extremism in politics and society. The hosts criticize the far left and far right for their distorted worldviews and denial of reality. They emphasize the importance of challenging and confronting extremist opinions rather than pushing them underground, which can lead to further radicalization. They discuss the dangers of extreme ideologies and highlight the need for open dialogue, redemption, and the belief that people can change their minds. They also touch on the influence of politics in sports and the media, expressing a desire for apolitical spaces for enjoyment and entertainment.
I met with English comedian Francis Foster at the Battle of Ideas Festival in London, and we had a wonderful talk. We discussed the “cancel-culture” in comedy - and in general - and how being socially obligated to have an opinion affects the way we perceive ourselves and each other, in a bad way. Also a little bit on feminism and gender ideology comes up throughout our conversation.
