Criticism Is Cancelled
The authoritarianism of the ivory tower is a contradiction
“‘Cancel Culture’ is out of control and threatens liberal discourse!” has become a rallying cry for those, who often for the first time in their lives, and usually from a powerful platform, face public criticism that they have historically safely ignored. Shocked by the temerity of peasants who dare to speak back to their cultural masters, they have created an increasingly popular myth to avoid adapting to a quickly changing world. Do not be fooled. They make a dangerous and dishonest argument that is designed to silence popular dissent.
In the past, this group of rich and powerful celebrities, tenured academics, famous journalists and world-renowned authors could lecture the masses from ivory towers and production studios without fear of having to entertain the opinion of their passive audiences. The peasants didn’t matter- they were to speak only when spoken to. The gatekeepers opinions were the only views that mattered.
They were the guardians of all that was “correct” and the arbiters of popular opinion. They were the appointed ones, the chosen few whose sacrosanct proclamations could be challenged publicly only by fellow members of the comentariat class.
Those days are gone. The internet and instant global communication have leveled the playing field, for good or for bad. Somewhat predictably, those accustomed to wielding such cultural power are not taking the rebellion well. And so they push back against the unruly peasants.
Critics are portrayed as a “mob” rather than “detractors”. The voice of the public is demonized and discredited so that these pundits, who possess megaphones capable of reaching millions, will not face the consequences for their ideas, nor even have to endure the inconvenience of having them challenged.
It is a dangerous attack on civil dissent that comes from a place of immense privilege. Aside from the obvious hypocrisy of squelching free speech in the name of open discourse, they advocate liberty of expression only for themselves. Their critics however, must be brought to heel.
It is informative who these first-world pundits and renown writers refer to when they speak of being ‘cancelled’. They do not…