Trevor Phillips comment piece in The Times 21 Feb 2022

[Gastonia]

This article seems to be off the main page of the paper today already. However, comments are allowed
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/this-apartheid-reduces-us-to-mere-cut-outs-sxs2wv6cv

On a related issue, I'm so annoyed how The Times has stopped allowing comments specifically on articles on the trans issue.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/6b9d197e-9289-11ec-9aec-82f0032d4cd3?shareToken=2025c10582ea5203025a795b7cf2b5c5

A literary editor thought that e e cummings’ name was misspelt?

FFS!

That is enough to tell me that I should ignore any of their opinions!

It wasn't a literary editor, it was a hired 'sensitivity' reader. As the article makes clear, they aren't hired for their literary sophistication! They are censors by another name; kids just looking for work most likely & claiming a superior insight based on their 'identity'. It's the publishers themselves who should know better.

Thank you for the link @Gastonia, and share token @impossibletoday. TP has been writing some great pieces on the young draconians taking over cultural discourse with their censorious attitude to free speech and utter ignorance of the people whom they claim to be protecting. I wonder if these privileged young people lucky enough to get a job with Kate Clanchy's publishers, and censoring her words about her minority pupils, are themselves white. I agree that their bosses should be behaving like the grown ups in the room rather than indulging their nonsense.

@marytuda

It wasn't a literary editor, it was a hired 'sensitivity' reader. As the article makes clear, they aren't hired for their literary sophistication! They are censors by another name; kids just looking for work most likely & claiming a superior insight based on their 'identity'. It's the publishers themselves who should know better.

You are right, a sensitivity reader. But (to my mind, at least) they are performing an editing function and are perhaps a super, special, snowflake class of editor. Certainly not someone who know literature!

What the fuck is the world coming to!?!?

Here's Kate Clanchy's original piece referred to there - it's quite a read:

How sensitivity readers corrupt literature

On a related issue, I'm so annoyed how The Times has stopped allowing comments specifically on articles on the trans issue.

My guess is Op that there are so many contentious comments and they just don't have the resources to moderate. I keep meaning to write to the editor. I honestly don't think the Times has capitulated, but you never know. I do know that lots of the journalists visit MN

They are using a company called OpenWeb for the moderation highgame. I have no idea why the Times thinks it's a good idea to use them.
OpenWeb

@Igneococcus

They are using a company called OpenWeb for the moderation highgame. I have no idea why the Times thinks it's a good idea to use them. OpenWeb

thanks, have just sent an e-mail

@highame Did you get a response from The Times? I've also written. I'm trying to put together some info on how/when/Why the Times are now shutting down debate on Women's rights articles. A response I saw was complete nonsensical.

DM me if you like!