Being deplatformed in Amsterdam seems to have induced some kind of malaise in my brain, so that it’s become a lot harder to write on this site. I can’t think of any reason beyond the deplatforming, which hit me hard and even induced me to stay in bed most of the next day, but the day after that I bounced back. I think I’m getting back to normal, but I still have to clean my plate before the site resumes its normal tenor. I was, for example, just writing a post about what kinds of free speech are used (and needed) on private college campuses, and I gave up and said, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” (Ye shall have it then.) So let’s have some comedy instead.
In last week’s monologue segment of Real Time, Bill Maher first reveals that his new book comes out this week. In fact it came out two days ago, and is doing very well (click below to go to the Amazon link). Note that the book deliberately looks like social-media clickbait:
The Amazon summary:
The book was inspired by the “editorial” Bill delivers at the end of each episode of Real Time. These editorials are direct-to-camera sermons about culture, politics, and what’s happening in the world. To put this book together, Maher reviewed more than a decade of his editorials, rewriting, reimagining, and updating them, and adding new material to speak exactly to the moment we’re in. Free speech, cops, drugs, race, religion, the generations, cancel culture, the parties, the media, show biz, romance, health—Maher covers it all. The result is a hugely entertaining work of commentary about American culture in the tradition of Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and H. L. Mencken.
That’s a bit hyperbolic given the competition and the fact that the delivery of Twain and Mencken, the two best, was written rather than verbal, but it is true that for many of us, Maher is not just a comedian but a verbal and humerous deliverer of opinions. I can no longer listen to my old favorite, Jon Stewart, who’s become chronically woke to the extent that his opinions have gone wonky and his humor has gone south.
The Free Press has an excerpt from Maher’s new book called “American kids are way too confident“. It’s okay but seems like a comedy segment simply put into prose, which for some me doesn’t constitute absorbing reading. It’s like a meal consisting solely of desserts.
At any rate, Maher’s theme last week is how crazy historians of the future will see today’s divisive-ridden world. Intriguingly, one of the examples Maher gives of our craziness is the insupportable idea that there are more than two sexes in humans, and that “women” should be replaced with phrases like “bodies with vaginas” (see below). Maher takes the mickey out of both Left and Right, including pro-Palestinian student protesters and Trump’s crazy supporters who wear “I’d rather be Russian than Democrat” tee-shirts. Really? Would they?
It isn’t as funny as Maher’s usual bits, but the humor is still there, but replaced with a more serious message.
Oh, and here’s the famous Lancet cover; it was not a joke:
I support PCC(E).
+1
Hang in there Jerry!
I’d love to know what kind of responses that Lancet cover got. I can imagine there were some great letters to the editor.
Maher’s ok, but he’s no Mencken. Sometimes he’s spot on and other times misguided. His interview with Musk was poor, much too conciliatory.
And it’s unclear how much of his material is his own and how much from his staff writers, although certainly the opinions are his own.
Hang in there, Dr Coyne! We need your daily doses of polymath wisdom.
I can see why the deplatforming experience would take the wind out of your sails. I sensed it effects on you in the Amsterdam photos. It’s a type of bullying. It was a gutless decision, in my opinion.
I am really dismayed for you that you were rattled by your deplatforming. It’s the personal bullying I think, the effort to make you feel you have transgressed something clear to everyone else but you. And, dammit, they just enjoy it so much.
Thanks for sharing that with us. Wishing you resilience, which I’m sure you have anyway, but still…
+1….Bat
Many people who have experienced it find that kind of cancellation particularly horrible. I didn’t know this fact until Richard Dawkins ascribed his stroke in part to being deplatformed by the Berkley U. he used to love.
I imagine it is one of those experiences you really need to have to appreciate the gravity.
I get a lot of blowback about my pro-Zionist articles – and I don’t care at all. I’ve never been cancelled though. I suspect it is quite different.
Be well and keep up the comments Leslie, I always enjoy them.
D.A.
NYC
I, too, am sorry to read that the deplatforming put you in bed for a day, but I can completely understand how such an incident would get you spun around. Sad to say that you’re in good company. I never thought I’d see the day when it would take superhuman courage to stand up for science and for truth. But here we we.
Pleas accept my wishes for a quick recovery.
… I mean, if I could add something, and I’m not sure this helps :
A “deplatforming” (yechh) in my view indicates — perhaps as in a game of Battleship, or martial arts — a direct hit.
So, a badge of honor. Though, I can understand, a bitter one.
If I knew how to make the little solidarity fist emoji here I would. Anyway solidarity Jerry. Hang in there.
I look forward to discussing your deplatforming with a Dutch friend. And I will look for more cat cartoons to send to you.
Regarding those noble human primates who did the deplatforming, I wonder how they feel.
Most likely they feel smug self-righteousness.
In the same week as the cowardly deplatforming of Prof. Coyne in Amsterdam, performances at the Concertgebouw by the Jerusalem Quartet were cancelled by the venue for “safety” reasons. After much outcry in the musical world, one of the concerts was reinstated. An online search for the name of the quartet and “Concertgebouw” turns up the relevant reporting.
Hang in there, PCC(E)!
There was a big outcry according to this article.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/arts/music/concertgebouw-jerusalem-quartet.html
I used to listen to Maher monologues. He stopped for a while during Covid, after which I lost the habit of watching his work. I’m not worried about how crazy historians will see our times. I don’t worry about crazy historians.
I’m sorry the bullies came for you, it had to be a shock. I hope a look at this silly product will cheer you up and strengthen your resolve.
https://www.amazon.com/Aimego-Curtain-Holding-Bathroom-Accessories/dp/B09QZJQ7Q9/ref=asc_df_B09QZJQ7Q9/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693308331001&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10765713863851251451&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1021377&hvtargid=pla-1662196111374&mcid=b1687871353231bd9c25389f007c5eee&gad_source=1&th=1
Adorable.