Article - 'The sadness of Sceptical Man' by Victoria Smith

'They have found it easier to denigrate feminists, middle-aged women, LGB people and even former friends, dismissing them as bigots spreading moral panic. On reflection, I think it’s because their genre — their way of presenting the world to others — has always found actual whistleblowers a bit cringe, a bit too impassioned, a bit ridiculous. Isn’t it safer to mock — sorry, cast a curious, nuanced eye on — anyone who’s getting het up about anything? Then later, when the dust has settled and it’s clear which side is the most socially and professionally convenient one to be on, you can claim you’d have expressed your own views earlier, but the atmosphere was too toxic.'

Oof.

I think this is one of her best yet.

I've wondered about the reason why self-styled rationalists and sceptics like Ronson, Robin Ince, James O'Brien et al, hold such an utterly irrational position on the trans issue, and I've come to the boring conclusion that they don't like women very much. They're annoyed because feminists got their first.

If it's your job as a super rational, clever, sceptical man to point out when an ideology is irrational, then how galling must it be to find out that someone like Helen Joyce or Kathleen Stock has already done it? It would put them in the position of being followers rather than leaders.

That's not to mention the cowardice element, of course - of facing being cancelled if you adopt a rational position.

Much easier to make fun of silly women-type things like Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop and women who choose hypnobirthing than to risk criticising a daft ideology being promoted by a particularly aggressive and deranged group of men.

Another great article from Victoria. I think I find those trying to sit on the fence whilst sneering about how reasonable they are the most annoying. At least the TRAs are mad or actually want chaos.

She is an excellent writer. Absolutely nails it

Bump.