To think that if you live by the sword, you die by it...

[Babycham1979]

As much as I like Germaine Greer and (although she infuriates me, Julie Burchill), I can't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude when I hear that feminist speakers have been banned from speaking at university campuses in order to ensure a 'safe space' for trans people.

I think it's ridiculous, and it offends my belief in free-speech, but there does seem some poetic justice in seeing censorious and reactionary movements hoist by their own petard. Before Greer and Burchill, it was Tommy Robinson and Dapper Laughs being banned on left and/or feminist grounds. What's the difference?

It brings to mind that Nietzsche quote, “Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.”

Has Germaine Greer ever argued that certain speakers be banned?

It offends my free speech principles, too.
I don't much like GG because of what she said about FGM, but don't want her banned either. I was upset about the witch hunt on Tim Hunt, too.

I think that because of her trans comments she should be welcomed everywhere. Who else prompts open debate in wider society's public arenas.

As ever, if you don't like what she says stand up and argue with her, that is why she makes such statements. Having heard her speak and debate she encourages resistance to her stance, she actively wants people to agree or disagree with her. As long as you consider the topic she has done her job!

As for the ban... does that mean that universities consider transgendered people to be a) so pathetic and likely to melt that they require special protections, b) more important that any other minority or vulnerable group, c) unable to speak for themselves?

Even before you get to wtf, freedom of speech, etc... what the hell happened to universities being the safe place to explore a wide range of topics, thoughts, philosophies and politics? Now that they have chosen to denude themselves of any social relevance where the hell do we look for such debates and discussions?

I despair of today's youth. The USA had McCarthyism to blame for societal blanding, what excuse do we have. Uber PC shite is drowning us!

Sorry, I meant Julie Bindel, not Burchill. Although, that said, they're just as bonkers/entertaining/offensive/infuriating as each other.

Bindel really has been one to demand the censorship of others though, so that really is poetic justice!

"Free speech is meant to protect unpopular speech. Popular speech, by definition, needs no protection."