India Knight. To be shocked by the lack of self awareness.

[Tacono1]

I feel sad writing this as I have enjoyed her writing at times. I have been quite disturbed by recent developments but do still read The Times as I do still value their overall output ( their ongoing campaign on behalf of those impacted by the cladding scandal is excellent )so do still scan her articles. Today was a discussion of veganism etc. which did make some interesting points but right in the middle was the following statement
‘ I don’t much believe in hypocrisy, which is often the stupid person’s way of oversimplifying complicated and nuanced human choices’
The fact that it was written, then the fact that it wasn’t picked up by editors is astounding.
I think her position is untenable.

I can’t stand India Knight but I agree with her. People are so quick to shout hypocrisy, it’s lazy and boring.

She lives with and supports a pedophile. She is a vile, loathsome disgrace. Nothing she says has any value.

@Susie477

The exact example I have in mind is this: would an MP who campaigns for the abolition of private education be a hypocrite if they were at the same time sending their own children to a private school? I would say no, or not necessarily, but I bet 99% of people would say yes, and I would say that in doing so they are displaying a lack of critical thinking skills.

Please explain, because that is just about the most egregious example of blatant hypocrisy I can think of. Unless your name is Diane Abbott, of course. Or Shami Chakrabarti.

I can see the difference. I don’t agree with private schools either but if it was a choice between private or a badly performing, badly managed, underfunded local state school there’s no way I’d allow my children to suffer through it for my principals.

If you abolish private schools, the education available at state schools would be more democratic. With rich/scholarship kids, state schools might be better. You might think it is wrong that some children have a better education because they have money. However, while that advantage is available, you might be willing to take it for your children because otherwise they miss out.

@Serenster

She is basically saying “I make complicated and nuanced decisions. If you call me a hypocrite because of my decision, it is only because first, you’re oversimplifying the situation, and secondly, you’re stupid”.

Sp, people who call her a hypocrite =stupid people who just don’t understand the complicated position she’s in (it’s not that complicated…).

That is how I read it too. In the circumstances, it comes across as quite goady and confrontational. I

I'd say the Times would love to get rid of her, but her stepfather is some media bigwig so she'll have a job for life.

How she can continually pontificate to other people while living with and supporting that vile man I'll never know. Gross.

I can see the difference. I don’t agree with private schools either but if it was a choice between private or a badly performing, badly managed, underfunded local state school there’s no way I’d allow my children to suffer through it for my principals.

That might be an understandable decision, but you would still be a hypocrite.

@Susie477

I can see the difference. I don’t agree with private schools either but if it was a choice between private or a badly performing, badly managed, underfunded local state school there’s no way I’d allow my children to suffer through it for my principals.

That might be an understandable decision, but you would still be a hypocrite.

Why?

Because the whole point is you get to make that choice for your dc while removing it for
other people!

@TestingTestingWonTooFree

If you abolish private schools, the education available at state schools would be more democratic. With rich/scholarship kids, state schools might be better. You might think it is wrong that some children have a better education because they have money. However, while that advantage is available, you might be willing to take it for your children because otherwise they miss out.

Those who use private education while calling for its abolition are absolutely hypocrites. I have heard the arguments and still believe they are hypocrites. I guess that makes me one of the lowly stupid people though.

Is she the one with the paedophile husband she has stayed married to?

@baldafrique
Yes, she is.

I read the article and I identified with it because I am also hypocritical when it comes to eating meat, I don't eat red meat or duck, but do eat chicken and turkey.

However, my DH isn't a sex offender and I wouldn't stay with him if he were.

@Labradooodle

Because the whole point is you get to make that choice for your dc while removing it for other people!

But you’re not though - I guess you could be if you could click your fingers and abolish private schools immediately. But you can’t, the private schools still exist. So you’re having your children suffer for your own principles.

Because your family could afford to benefit from the benefits of private education which is something you would deny to others. And which, by using it, you would perpetuate the problem.

If that’s not hypocrisy, I really don’t know what is. And if you’re going to be such a hypocrite, at least have the integrity to own your hypocrisy.

@looptheloopinahulahoop

I read the article and I identified with it because I am also hypocritical when it comes to eating meat, I don't eat red meat or duck, but do eat chicken and turkey.

However, my DH isn't a sex offender and I wouldn't stay with him if he were.

That’s the exact argument though, hypocrisy is so reductive. Who lives a perfect life? Who tells their kids not to eat too many sweets then guzzles them themselves? Who talks about reducing screen time for their kids while spending hours on mumsnet?

@Susie477

Because your family could afford to benefit from the benefits of private education which is something you would deny to others. And which, by using it, you would perpetuate the problem.

If that’s not hypocrisy, I really don’t know what is. And if you’re going to be such a hypocrite, at least have the integrity to own your hypocrisy.

How are you perpetuating the problem by using it? Unless you’re suggesting private school fees for one child are enough to support a failing state school?

That is really lacking sensitivity. Like "Here I am, giving my dc the best education i can buy right now but i want to remove this choice for you and what you willl have is a free school with more privileged kids in it".

That lacks awareness

She’s revolting. I refuse to support her by clicking on her articles. I know she has a job for life with her step father, but let everyone know that decent people want nothing to do with her.

@Labradooodle

That is really lacking sensitivity. Like "Here I am, giving my dc the best education i can buy right now but i want to remove this choice for you and what you willl have is a free school with more privileged kids in it".

That lacks awareness

Again, how?

If you’re against private schools I doubt you’d be thrilled that the choice your children have is a terrible state school or private.

She's nauseating and only has her job through nepotism. My idea of hypocrisy is bleating on about Harvey Weinstein etc whilst still being with her partner, a convicted paedophile who enjoyed watching babies being raped.

@Pumperthepumper
None of us live a perfect life but we should probably try not to hold others to standards we are not willing to live by ourselves and at the very least be honest when there is a mismatch ( hypocrisy).
It’s not reductive. It’s trying to live with basic standards, including integrity.

I went to a private school. Im not for them or against them. What Im against is the insensitivity of enjoying a choice that exists for you right now because of your wealth while actively seeking to remove that choice for other people.

[quote Tacono1]@Pumperthepumper
None of us live a perfect life but we should probably try not to hold others to standards we are not willing to live by ourselves and at the very least be honest when there is a mismatch ( hypocrisy).
It’s not reductive. It’s trying to live with basic standards, including integrity.[/quote]
I don’t think a single person here believes their own integrity is more important than their children’s happiness.

And it’s very reductive, it’s used to shoot down arguments because people believe being a hypocrite is the worst thing you can be. It’s a poor way to argue because everyone is guilty of hypocrisy on some level.

@Labradooodle

I went to a private school. Im not for them or against them. What Im against is the insensitivity of enjoying a choice that exists for you right now because of your wealth while actively seeking to remove that choice for other people.

Again, I’m not sure I’d call having to choose between a terrible state school or going against your own principles an ‘enjoyable’ choice.