Blog.
Like I’m a Six Year Old - Podcast Interview with Tom Ballard
I spoke with Comedian Tom Ballard for his podcast ‘Like I’m a Six Year Old’. In it I lay out what the "manosphere" is and why it exists. We discuss incel violence, male alienation, Jordan Peterson, the material conditions that leads to this stuff and the challenges of trying to understand it. Scrubbing the internet clean of these ideas clearly isn't working and neither is joking about killing all men; so what's the alternative?
The Far Right Online - Freilich Foundation Talk
In October I participated in a panel discussion titled ‘The Far Right Online’ for The Freilich Foundation. I talk about the manosphere, what it is, how it has developed, and how we should respond to it. In particular I argue that simply labeling manosphere participants as ‘sexist’ is not enough, and that instead we need to do more to tackle the social issues that drive participation in the space.
The radicalisation puzzle
This week I have not been able to stop thinking about an article I read called “The Radicalization Puzzle: A Theoretical Synthesis of Empirical Approaches to Homegrown Extremism.” Examining homegrown Islamic terrorism in Europe, the article from Hafez and Mullins synthesises the pieces of the puzzle that lead people (mostly young men, but increasingly women) toward radicalisation.
On the politics of Joker
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
Over the weekend I saw Joker with a friend. The movie has been controversial to say the least. Despite the connections the commentary has had with my research interests I’ve been hesitant to write anything about it. Now that I’ve seen it for myself, boy do I have some feelings.
Book Review: See What You Made Me Do by Jess Hill
I just finished the excellent book See What You Made Me Do by the journalist Jess Hill. See What You Made Me Do is an in depth investigation into domestic abuse in Australia, written by a journalist who has spent years covering the topic, and who brings a lot of expertise into the field.
Gender: its value and its limitations
This is a talk I gave at a high table dinner at the ANU College Bruce Hall on Tuesday the 6th of August (republished with their permission). Thank you for the organisers at Bruce Hall for inviting me to speak. I had a great night!
On Cloudflare's decision to knock off 8chan
Some thoughts, somewhat unstructured, about Cloudflare’s decision to remove 8chan from their server.
What do networks tell us about white extremist terrorism?
In analysis published in The New York Times last week they presented evidence of a growing network of white extremist terrorists.
On Christchurch, lone wolves, and the threat of fascism
Following the horrendous attack on two mosques in Christchurch two weeks ago, debate has turned toward the nature of the fascist threat in Western countries. Many have argued that we have ignored the threat of a growing fascist movement for too long, and that this attack highlights the consequences of this.
Be Wary of Blunt Technological Solutions to Extremism
In the wake of the Christchurch attacks, there’s naturally been a focus on the role of social media in spreading extremism.
Notes on Jordan Peterson Live
Last night I travelled to Sydney to see Jordan Peterson live. Peterson spoke in an absolutely packed theatre at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. While the crowd skewed to a younger male demographic, it was quite diverse. It felt like the theatre had met the football.
The ALP and its disdain for the general public
I have been thinking a lot about the behaviour of the ALP in recent weeks.
Facing attacks, humanties academics should embrace a debate about the value of our work
The humanities in Australia seem to be under attack. Last week it was revealed that the former education Minister Simon Birmingham had blocked approximately $4 million dollars of funding for humanities projects that had been approved by the Australian Research Council (ARC).
Mardi Gras and the politics of inclusion
Late last week I got a letter from a group of Mardi Gras volunteers titled “SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS IS UNDER THREAT AND NEEDS YOUR HELP”.
On Richard Flanagan's article that he didn't want to write
Over the weekend Richard Flanagan wrote an article he didn’t want to write about the nature of debate in our society, particularly following the canning of Germaine Greer and Bob Carr from the Brisbane Writer’s Festival. It has caused quite a stir!