Episode 31: Mitch McConnell, J.K. Rowling, Incels, And Other Search-Engine Optimization Gold

After Katie tells the story of her 12-hour banishment from Twitter for a biting piece of political commentary, the hosts discus "TFW No GF," a controversial documentary about losers who post too much online, some of whom are so-called incels, or involuntary celibates. When should we have empathy for people who disgust us (like podcasters)? Then they turn their attention to the controversy over J.K. Rowling's newest mystery novel, which, depending on who you ask, is either horrifically transphobic or not transphobic at all. As usual, the only two moral arbiters with enough integrity to cut through the online noise are on the case, telling you exactly what to think. (Minor correction: In the episode, Jesse refers to Ray Blanchard as 'Canadian,' but he was born in New Jersey and settled in Canada later on.)

TFW No GF: https://www.amazon.com/TFW-No-Alex-Lee-Moyer/dp/B087N4632Q

Jacobin: A Portrait of the Breakdown of Hope and Meaning in America - https://www.jacobinmag.com/2020/09/tfw-no-gf-incel-moyer-documentary

Jill Filipovic's tweet: https://twitter.com/JillFilipovic/status/1307725535561293824

Glenn Greenwald's rejoinder: https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1307761101979910145 

The Telegraph: Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith, review: JK Rowling fails to Strike again - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/troubled-blood-robert-galbraith-review-jk-rowling-fails-strike/

The Daily Beast: How Transphobic Is J.K. Rowling’s New Novel, ‘Troubled Blood?’ Very. - https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-transphobic-is-jk-rowlings-new-novel-troubled-blood-very

The Spectator: JK Rowling’s latest novel isn’t ‘transphobic’ - https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/j-k-rowling-s-latest-novel-isn-t-transphobic-

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe