"Gender Gets You Cancelled, Islam Gets You Killed" - Andrew Gold

Added: Sep 14, 2024

Gold's Experience with Cancel Culture

Gold begins by sharing his experiences with being canceled in relation to his new book, "The Psychology of Secrets." He was disinvited from various events and book festivals, primarily due to his outspoken views on gender, particularly his assertion that "trans women are not women." He notes that while he has expressed concerns about aspects of Islam, it seems that opinions related to gender are more likely to lead to cancellation.

The Cultural Climate and "Woke" Institutions

Gold reflects on the current cultural climate, questioning whether society is moving beyond "peak woke" or if the environment remains hostile to dissenting views. He suggests that bookshops and festivals are among the last bastions of "woke" culture, where the pressure to conform to a narrow set of acceptable beliefs is particularly strong. Many of these institutions are struggling financially, which may lead them to prioritize popularity over artistic freedom.

Clickbait vs. Sensationalism

Gold discusses the challenges of navigating the digital landscape, particularly YouTube's algorithm, which often rewards sensational titles and thumbnails. He argues that while sensationalism can be part of engaging content, clickbait misleads viewers. He acknowledges that creators must balance the need for engaging content with the risk of misinterpretation, as titles and thumbnails can sometimes distort the actual discussion.

Hypocrisy in Media Practices

Gold criticizes the hypocrisy of certain podcasters and media figures who condemn sensationalism while engaging in similar practices themselves. He highlights the double standards in the media landscape, where legacy media outlets often escape scrutiny for their sensationalist headlines, while independent creators face backlash for similar tactics. He argues that the rules governing acceptable discourse are often unwritten and enforced covertly, creating a culture of fear around expressing controversial opinions.

Moral Policing of Artists

The conversation shifts to the moral policing of artists and writers, with Gold lamenting that many great authors throughout history were flawed individuals. He questions how the publishing industry can celebrate artistic expression while simultaneously enforcing a narrow moral code. This authoritarian approach, he suggests, stifles creativity and prevents meaningful discourse.

The Psychology of Secrets

Gold delves into the psychological aspects of secret-keeping, explaining that humans have an inherent urge to reveal secrets, which may stem from evolutionary biology. He discusses the "fever model," which posits that keeping secrets can create a sense of internal distress, akin to a physical illness. This compulsion to share secrets may have provided social cohesion in early human tribes, as sharing information about resources could benefit the group.

The Cultish Nature of Modern Discourse

Gold discusses the concept of moral rules and who decides them, emphasizing that the definition of a "cult" can be subjective and often gatekept by those in the industry. He argues that cultish behavior is not limited to extreme groups but is present in mainstream society, suggesting that everyone exhibits cult-like tendencies to some degree. For instance, he compares a book club to a cult, where members may feel pressure to conform to group opinions, fearing ostracism if they express dissenting views.

Personal Experiences with Ostracism

Gold recounts his personal experience of being "thrown to the wolves" after receiving an email from his publisher disinviting him from an event. He describes the initial feelings of embarrassment and shame, akin to being cast out of a tribe. As time passed, his frustration grew, particularly when he received messages from higher-ups at his publishing house advising him not to speak out on social media. He draws parallels between his current experience and a previous struggle with diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in his career, where he felt marginalized due to his identity.

Critique of the Publishing Industry

Gold critiques the publishing industry for pushing "woke" content that lacks commercial viability. He shares an anecdote about an editor who expressed disappointment that a book on business advice for trans individuals was not selling, yet remained committed to publishing it out of ideological conviction. He highlights the absurdity of prioritizing virtue signaling over market demand, suggesting that this approach undermines the purpose of creative industries.

Gold uses the term "Hollywoke" to describe Hollywood's fixation on progressive ideologies at the expense of storytelling and audience engagement. He believes that this ideological capture leads to a disconnect between creators and consumers, resulting in financial losses for companies like Disney.

The Importance of Open Dialogue

Initially hesitant to speak out about his experiences, Gold recognized the importance of addressing these issues, particularly as they relate to freedom of expression and the need for open dialogue. He emphasizes the dangers of conforming to groupthink, which can stifle honest discussions about complex issues.

Addressing Extremism and Political Discourse

The podcast also touches on the complexities of addressing Islamist extremism in Western societies. Gold emphasizes that the issue is not inherently tied to Islam or Muslims as a whole, but rather to how the religion is practiced and the societal structures surrounding it. He notes that some countries have managed to tackle extremism more effectively than Western nations by acknowledging the existence of extremist elements within their religion.

The Role of Humor in Society

In response to the final question about what is not being discussed, Gold emphasizes the importance of humor in society. He argued that the loss of a sense of humor makes it difficult for people to connect and communicate effectively. He advocates for maintaining laughter and lightness in the face of adversity, suggesting that humor can help navigate the complexities of societal issues.