# Netflix CEO doubles down on "transphobia in media isn't harmful" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 14, 2021, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494 "2021-10-14T15:38:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/1 "2021-10-14T15:38:57Z")
Netflix is about to lose us as subscribers due to their terrible handling on the ongoing Chapelle controversy. I freely admit I would have stayed a subscriber if they’d acknowledge the issues, but refused to remove or censor the content. I can’t accept this “The content is fine actually!” approach. In supporting their idea that transphobia in media doesn’t translate to real world harm, co-CEO Ted Sarandos states that “transphobic jokes do not ‘directly translate to real-world harm.’” because first person shooting games hasn’t lead to rampaging teen gunmen: > The strongest evidence to support this is that violence on screens has grown hugely over the last thirty years, especially with first party shooter games, and yet violent crime has fallen significantly in many countries. Adults can watch violence, assault and abuse – or enjoy shocking stand-up comedy – without it causing them to harm others. > [Netflix CEO adds gas to transphobia fire with another unrepentant memo](https://www.inputmag.com/culture/netflix-ceo-adds-gas-to-transphobia-fire-with-another-unrepentant-memo) Yeah, enjoying an action movie or a video game with violence in it is exactly like enjoying mocking vulnerable segments of society … Netflix has a few days to show this is not the company philosophy moving forward, or they lose us as customers. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/2 "2021-10-14T16:31:00Z")
Scrolling down on that site, I noticed that the next story is about Netflix securing the rights to Roald Dahl’s stories. I wonder if the Netflix version of _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ will include the [original version of the Oompa Loompas](https://www.roalddahlfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/charoompa1.gif)? By Sarandos’ reasoning (the OG OLs were intended to be funny, and didn’t incite hatred or violence) they should be just fine, right? ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/3 "2021-10-14T16:38:23Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I wonder if the Netflix version of _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ will include the [original version of the Oompa Loompas](https://www.roalddahlfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/charoompa1.gif)? By Sarandos’ reasoning (the OG OLs were intended to be funny, and didn’t incite hatred or violence) they should be just fine, right? 😬 If they do they can then follow up with making this into a short film. Also intended to be very droll: > **[Switch Bitch | "The Great Switcheroo"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switch_Bitch#%22The_Great_Switcheroo%22)** > > Two middle-class suburban men at a neighbourhood party devise a ruse whereby each can sleep with the other's wife, without either wife realising the deception. They compare sexual techniques beforehand, and one receives a rude awakening the morning after. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/4 "2021-10-14T16:49:25Z")
> [@naita](#): > > Netflix has a few days to show this is not the company philosophy moving forward, or they lose us as customers. So there is no content on Netflix that you can otherwise enjoy because they happen to stream a single title that you don’t approve of but can otherwise avoid? Can I ask, have you even seen the Chapelle special in question prior to objecting to its content and leaving in protest, or is this only based on how it’s being handled by Netflix? I have not. I’m not particularly interested in seeing it to be honest (not a Chapelle fan) except to satisfy my rising curiosity on what all the bruhaha is about. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/5 "2021-10-14T16:56:32Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So there is no content on Netflix that you can otherwise enjoy because they happen to stream a single title that you don’t approve of but can otherwise avoid? Are you unfamiliar with the concept of a boycott? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/6 "2021-10-14T17:00:23Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Are you unfamiliar with the concept of a boycott? Does familiarity require agreement? OP stated a position and I’m stating my disagreement with that position. I suppose I could boycott the topic based on my disagreement. I’m sure that would elicit a round of cheers from some, but it would make for very dull message board. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/7 "2021-10-14T17:18:32Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Does familiarity require agreement? “But there’s other stuff you could watch!” isn’t really an argument against a boycott. I think it’s safe to assume that, yes, **naita** gets some value out of subscribing to Netflix, presumably in the form of “shows they like to watch.” The actual question raised by this thread, which you haven’t engaged in, is “Does the enjoyment derived from subscribing to Netflix justify subsidizing objectionable behavior?” > [@QuickSilver](#): > > I suppose I could boycott the topic based on my disagreement. I’m sure that would elicit a round of cheers from some, but it would make for very dull message board. I think you overestimate how much entertainment value you bring to this board. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/8 "2021-10-14T17:28:00Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The actual question raised by this thread, which you haven’t engaged in, is “Does the enjoyment derived from subscribing to Netflix justify subsidizing objectionable behavior?” I guess we all have to draw our own lines. I assume most media will include things I find objectionable. That’s part of living in a free society. On the other hand, a company promoting a “Donald Trump’s _My Struggle_” documentary might be enough to motivate me to boycott. But maybe not. Chapelle’s jokes are “offensive” but funny. That’s traditional standup comedy strategy. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/9 "2021-10-14T17:29:47Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > The actual question raised by this thread, which you haven’t engaged in, is “Does the enjoyment derived from subscribing to Netflix justify subsidizing objectionable behavior?” Fair enough. naita is free to do as he/she pleases. I’m responding to a larger common social trend implied by this topic in which people overreact to things causing unnecessary social reaction and counter-reaction. Netflix hosts lots of content that is objectionable to various segments of the audience. Is it reasonable to say that Netflix is party to misogyny, homophobia and anti-semitism because it has a bunch of titles in which Mel Gibson acts and directs? No more so, in my opinion, than for hosting Chapelle titles, IMO. > [@Miller](#): > > I think you overestimate how much entertainment value you bring to this board. Don’t misunderstand. I meant entertaining for _me_. Else why would I be here. Though, as I stated earlier, the returns are diminishing. I know you don’t care and it’s truly not my expectation that you should. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/10 "2021-10-14T18:00:53Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I’m responding to a larger common social trend implied by this topic in which people overreact to things causing unnecessary social reaction and counter-reaction. Netflix hosts lots of content that is objectionable to various segments of the audience. Is it reasonable to say that Netflix is party to misogyny, homophobia and anti-semitism because it has a bunch of titles in which Mel Gibson acts and directs? Well, you are not responding to the OP then, as the OP specifically said it was not the hosting of the content that they found objectionable, but the statements of the CEO, claiming that transphobia does not translate to real world harm. I’ve never been a fan of Chapelle, so I don’t know what his jokes were, nor whether they would be considered to be harmful. However, the CEO of a major media outlet claiming that transphobia in the media is not harmful is something that we should certainly take note of. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/11 "2021-10-14T18:02:17Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Is it reasonable to say that Netflix is party to misogyny, homophobia and anti-semitimism because it has a bunch of titles in which Mel Gibson acts and directs? No more so, in my opinion, than for hosting Chapelle titles, IMO. Possibly. Is Mel Gibson actively being misognyistic/homophobic/anti-semitic in the films in question? Were the films made before Gibson was known to be a bigot? Did Netflix have a hand in directly financing the films? And (actually pertinent to the thread, which is specifically about the CEO’s response to controversy over the special) what’s Netflix’s defense of keeping the films? Because I think a significant difference between this new Chapelle special on Netflix, and any given Mel Gibson film on Netflix, is that the Chapelle special was 1) funded by Netflix, after 2) previous Netflix-funded Chapelle specials caused this exact controversy, and 3) the Netflix CEO’s response was, “transphobia in popular media doesn’t matter.” ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/12 "2021-10-14T18:39:09Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > So there is no content on Netflix that you can otherwise enjoy because they happen to stream a single title that you don’t approve of but can otherwise avoid? > > Can I ask, have you even seen the Chapelle special in question prior to objecting to its content and leaving in protest, or is this only based on how it’s being handled by Netflix? I have not. I’m not particularly interested in seeing it to be honest (not a Chapelle fan) except to satisfy my rising curiosity on what all the bruhaha is about. @Miller and @k9bfriender have already eloquently pointed out how fundamentally you failed to understand my OP, so I’ll just suggest you re-read their responses if it hasn’t sunk in yet. > [@Procrustus](#): > > I guess we all have to draw our own lines. I assume most media will include things I find objectionable. You might want to read @k9bfriender’s reply. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/13 "2021-10-14T18:43:07Z")
> [@naita](#): > > You might want to read @k9bfriender’s reply. Yes, I saw that after I posted. I didn’t know the extent of Netflix’s involvement. Personally, I’m not going to boycott over these jokes, but I’m fine if others wish to. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/14 "2021-10-14T18:56:25Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Yes, I saw that after I posted. I didn’t know the extent of Netflix’s involvement. Personally, I’m not going to boycott over these jokes, but I’m fine if others wish to. You missed the part where he pointed out I’m not boycotting Netflix over these jokes. If I end up boycotting it will be over Netflix’s CEO, and thereby the company, not walking back the absurd argument that this and similar types of offensive media “do not ‘directly translate to real-world harm.” ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/15 "2021-10-14T20:05:13Z")
> [@naita](#): > > If they do they can then follow up with making this into a short film. And this. > **[My Uncle Oswald](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Uncle_Oswald)** > > My Uncle Oswald is a 1979 novel in the sex comedy genre written by Roald Dahl. > The novel stars Uncle Oswald, a character who previously appeared in "The Visitor" and "Bitch", two short stories also written by Roald Dahl (and which can both be found in the 1974 book Switch Bitch). > When Uncle Oswald discovers the sexually invigorating properties of the "Sudanese Blister Beetle"', he devises a plan to steal the semen of great men and sell it to women who want to have children fathered by genius... ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/16 "2021-10-14T20:06:49Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > And this. Does that one have rape by deception played for laughs though? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/17 "2021-10-14T20:10:18Z")
Yes. It is the main plot element. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/18 "2021-10-14T20:11:51Z")
😬 ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/19 "2021-10-14T20:20:23Z")
Looked for a good relevant review, haven’t been finding much, here’s a thumbnail summary from memory. Oswald discovers the ultimate aphrodisiac. Minutes after taking it, men have an absolutely uncontrollable need for sex. So he comes up with the idea for a sperm bank (this was written before there were real sperm banks.) Oswald would manage to get a beautiful woman working with him near rich and famous and powerful men. She would slip them the drug. She would “resist”, but they would inevitability rape her. Then she would collect their sperm from herself to store it and sell to people wanting children from the rich and famous and powerful. Meanwhile, they would blackmail the men for as much as they could get away with in order to cover up the rapes (which they were horrified over after the drug wore off) so, two sources of income. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494/20 "2021-10-14T20:24:29Z")
Why couldn’t you have left that one in the “not a good idea” drawer, Roald? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-transphobia-in-media-isnt-harmful/952494.md?page=2)