# So-Called “Cancel Culture”, Social Media and Bullying **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 9, 2020, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676 "2020-08-09T23:29:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/282 "2020-08-17T21:36:55Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Interesting article and some valid points about the questionable route he’s chosen to express his views. > > I have a couple of issues, however. > > One: the comparison to Trump seems a smidge cheap and hyperbolic. Don’t you think? I mean if said to you that based on the following comment, ‘_iiandyiiii is completely different… yet very much the same as Stalin_’, in that he brooks no dissent from the state vision of a perfect society: > > Two: Harris was wrong about his position on race and IQ. I don’t know if he maintains that position. Say he does. Does he espouse views associated with racism? Does he advocate for racist policies? Does having his facts wrong on the subject make him a racist? Is being wrong about this make him a bad person? Harris doesn’t have to be a bad person to be wrong on this in a harmful way, and to be too stubborn and arrogant to realize this. As for the comparison to Trump, it is indeed hyperbole. Hyperbole is another tactic that can be used for good or evil (I think it’s used for meh here). I don’t think it’s cheap, though. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/283 "2020-08-17T21:41:55Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > Uh, no. Usually they convinced people the liberals were trying to destroy society with their decadence and disregard for tradition, or were planning to overthrow the government and install anarchy/communism/socialism. Convincing people that the progressives themselves are the new fascists with their disregard for free speech and scientific truth and their intolerance of dissent is a new idea, but one that said progressives seem determined not to disprove. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to say mean things to them,” huh? More and more this sounds like Cancel Culture Alarmists want to shut down conversation. Now, if we keep on criticizing bigots, _we’ll get fascism_. This is how you get fascism, people! Do you want _fascism_? Give me a break. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/284 "2020-08-17T21:42:21Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Harris doesn’t have to be a bad person to be wrong on this in a harmful way, and to be too stubborn and arrogant to realize this. I have yet more trust in Harris’s capacity to change his mind than I have in a thousand anonymous woke-sters on twitter who would, if they could, be calling his employer about his views. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/285 "2020-08-17T21:42:32Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > Uh, no. Usually they convinced people the liberals were trying to destroy society with their decadence and disregard for tradition, or were planning to overthrow the government and install anarchy/communism/socialism. Like Trump and his enablers are trying today. > [@](#): > > Convincing people that the progressives themselves are the new fascists with their disregard for free speech and scientific truth and their intolerance of dissent is a new idea, but one that said progressives seem determined not to disprove. Trump is also trying to spread this nonsense, and you should stop being an unwitting ally in these efforts. It’s nonsense. > [@](#): > > Would you work with Vaishnavi Sundar and Steven Pinker to defeat the fascists? Because a heck of a lot of the ‘cancelled’ people seem to be on the left or centre themselves, and not fascists at all. The left going after it’s own certainly doesn’t help defeat the right. I don’t know anything about Sundar, but I still hope Pinker will realize his errors and stop providing unwitting rhetorical aid and comfort to Trump and co, and he’d be welcome on the fight against fascism. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/286 "2020-08-17T21:43:49Z")
I hope Harris will prove me wrong, but I doubt it. His ego is too strong, ISTM. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/287 "2020-08-17T21:53:32Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > More and more this sounds like Cancel Culture Alarmists want to shut down conversation. Now, if we keep on criticizing bigots, _we’ll get fascism_ . This is how you get fascism, people! Do you want _fascism_ ? > > Give me a break. Go look at what the right are saying. They are claiming the new fascists will come from the left because the left won’t tolerate dissent and wants to punish people for thought crimes. And it’s easy to them to point to examples - and attitudes like iiandyiiii’s - to convince people it’s true. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/288 "2020-08-17T21:56:27Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I don’t know anything about Sundar, but I still hope Pinker will realize his errors and stop providing unwitting rhetorical aid and comfort to Trump and co, and he’d be welcome on the fight against fascism. Sundar is the author of the article YWTF posted. Is Pinker welcome in the fight whether or not he changes his ‘problematic’ views? ---
**Author:** ![YWTF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/d07c76/32.png) [@YWTF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWTF)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/289 "2020-08-17T22:10:24Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > Go look at what the right are saying. They are claiming the new fascists will come from the left because the left won’t tolerate dissent and wants to punish people for thought crimes. And it’s easy to them to point to examples - and attitudes like iiandyiiii’s - to convince people it’s true. That’s what they can’t see. The canceling goes both ways. If progressives react to everything as though it needs to be killed with fire, they will eventually exceed their limit of allowable outrages. _They_ will then be canceled. This will have consequences for all of us who support liberal policies, not just those who are rage tweeting. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/290 "2020-08-17T22:14:15Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > Sundar is the author of the article YWTF posted. > > Is Pinker welcome in the fight whether or not he changes his ‘problematic’ views? He’s already welcome. But right now, he’s aiding the fascists, and he should stop doing that. ---
**Author:** ![urbanredneck2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/5f8ce5/32.png) [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/291 "2020-08-17T22:14:36Z")
Something similar, a couple weeks ago some BLM protesters gathered at a local college parking lot and then decided to march thru a nearby neighborhood. There were only about 30-40 of them but they carried signs, chanted, and used bullhorns. They were mostly on public sidewalks but sometimes in the streets. They were not targeting anyone in particular, only waning to have their voices heard. Well problem was this was 9:30 pm and the residents didnt like them walking and demonstrating in their nice, quiet neighborhood and especially out in front of their homes so cops were called. [Things got heated, and 4 people were arrested.](https://www.tonyskansascity.com/2020/07/shock-overland-park-shuts-down-black.html) Well now residents are [mad because they are being called racists and complain about harassment](https://shawneemissionpost.com/2020/08/13/residents-of-overland-park-neighborhood-say-they-face-political-harassment-after-black-lives-matter-protest-98703/) of strange cars going up and down there streets and some have been doxxed . ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/292 "2020-08-17T22:15:59Z")
> [@YWTF](#): > > That’s what they can’t see. The canceling goes both ways. If progressives react to everything as though it needs to be killed with fire, they will eventually exceed their limit of allowable outrages. _They_ will then be canceled. This will have consequences for all of us who support liberal policies, not just those who are rage tweeting. The fascists and enablers are already trying to do this. I remain unconvinced that by advocating for the harsh criticism of bigotry and ignorance that I’m somehow making those fascists more likely to do this. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/293 "2020-08-17T22:18:03Z")
I’m starting to get a “stop hitting yourself” vibe from this line of argument. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/294 "2020-08-17T22:18:37Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > And it’s easy to them to point to examples - and attitudes like iiandyiiii’s - to convince people it’s true. Please be specific - what have I posted that indicates this? I can’t fix myself if I don’t know, very specifically, what I’ve done wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/295 "2020-08-17T22:23:03Z")
The very fact that they can live in a nice, quiet neighborhood in which they can call the cops to stop a civil rights demonstration is part and parcel of the racist society we live in. They should have not called the cops and for once supported their fellow humans. ---
**Author:** ![YWTF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/d07c76/32.png) [@YWTF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWTF)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/296 "2020-08-17T22:37:18Z")
Are you actually looking, though? Or are you like most people: predominately staying confined to your bubble of like-minded commentators? Multiple times in this thread you’ve used “I’m not convinced” as a response. The very fact that you’re throwing “fascists” around when I’m talking about regular everyday people is kind of illustrating my point for me. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/297 "2020-08-17T22:39:31Z")
> [@YWTF](#): > > Are you actually looking, though? Or are you like most people: predominately staying confined to your bubble of like-minded commentators? > > Multiple times in this thread you’ve used “I’m not convinced” as a response. > > The very fact that you’re throwing “facists” around when I’m talking about regular everyday people is kind of illustrating my point for me. I’ve looked at the cites. Most of them were meh at worst, IMO. But what, specifically, have I said that you disagree with? It feels like some views are being attributed to me that I haven stated. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Conrad\_Shadowdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ea924/32.png) [@Dr.Conrad\_Shadowdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Conrad_Shadowdale)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/298 "2020-08-17T22:45:28Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The very fact that they can live in a nice, quiet neighborhood in which they can call the cops to stop a civil rights demonstration is part and parcel of the racist society we live in. They should have not called the cops and for once supported their fellow humans. Is it not apparent that “not calling the cops” when a mob appears in your neighborhood during a time of great civil unrest is not the logical thing to do, especially if you have a sleepy family? To an earlier point, that attitude simply drives away natural allies. Those are the people the left needs to convince but asshattery will prevent it. ---
**Author:** ![YWTF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/d07c76/32.png) [@YWTF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWTF)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/299 "2020-08-17T22:56:16Z")
I don’t know the particulars behind this situation but I will say this. It increasingly looks like BLM has been hijacked by people more interested in being nuisances than agents of positive political change. I see little evidence most of the protestors truly have social justice in mind. It is difficult for me to say this as a black woman, but BLM protestors are not whom I’d want associated with me if cops did me wrong. The movement needs actual leadership. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2020, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/300 "2020-08-17T23:00:19Z")
For example, you dismissed a cite provided by @YWTF in post #273 with a ‘meh’. Now, you may disagree with her views but the cite is certainly not, ‘meh’. Perhaps your ‘large ego’ is getting in the way of you ‘fixing yourself’. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676/301 "2020-08-17T23:05:13Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Please be specific - what have I posted that indicates this? I can’t fix myself if I don’t know, very specifically, what I’ve done wrong. This, for a start: > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > But in a good world, bigots will be afraid to spout bigotry. And maybe even the ignorant will be afraid to spout ignorance. Its not exactly a paean to free speech. And how about this: > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So, you know, don’t do that. Fight the fascists, tooth and claw, at every turn and in every way. These are the worst of humanity and they **and their unwitting allies** can’t be reasoned out of views that they didn’t arrive at through reason. (My bold.) What exactly is supposed to happen to people who can’t be reasoned out of their views? Plus there was that whole “grind the bigots into dust” thing from an earlier thread. You seem to have a very ‘us vs them’ view of the world and precious little sympathy for anyone you consider a ‘them’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-cancel-culture-social-media-and-bullying/917676.md?page=16)