Articles

Substack: A Re-Assembling of the Old Media

Substack: A Re-Assembling of the Old Media

ARTICLE

Over the past several months, many of these reputable voices – including high-profile journalists – have been jumping ship from their safe, cushy jobs to join Substack, a newsletter-based subscription platform, to escape the onslaught of ideology, censorship, and rigid editorial control.

Some are calling this migration the “beginning of the gold rush," others are comparing Substack to the old Internet, while others are likening it to the early newsletters of the 17th century. In some ways, Substack does harken back to the old blogosphere; it is reminiscent of a former Internet, and elicits a certain sense of nostalgia. As tempting as it is to see this as a step towards building a rich information ecosystem, I fear this mass migration will simply re-organize the establishment class in new ways and create more toll booths on the information highway.

Identity Crisis Episode 6: Reacting to Woke Instagram

Identity Crisis Episode 6: Reacting to Woke Instagram

PODCAST

In this episode, we take a deep dive into woke instagram. We read and analyze posts from a popular account that "dissect[s] progressive politics and social issues in graphic slideshow form". We break down a number of neoliberal and pop political talking points about the paradox of tolerance, Karl Popper, pronouns, dysphoria, gender & sex, and free speech. We critique the "fast food" type of political diet that this instagram account represents.

We make the case for free speech, for the enduring value of the First Amendment, and talk about how anyone who is challenging the status quo is someone who needs speech rights to be protected.

We also touch on one particular area of public speech that we do consider harmful: rhetoric which implies that suicide will result from any particular action, event, or speech—or any form of suicide encouragement/suggestion in the media. We talk about ethical reporting guidelines around suicide and consider the role of this kind of rhetoric in the gender identity conversation.

Separating Fact From Fiction in Gender and Sex: Zach Elliott

Separating Fact From Fiction in Gender and Sex: Zach Elliott

PODCAST

The Gender Paradox - Zack ElliotZach Elliott is the founder of the Paradox Institute, a science education group presenting contemporary sex difference research in short animated videos. He researches and writes about human sex differences and the biology of sex, and plans to pursue a Master of Science in Biology.

Zach joins Sasha to talk about his book, Gender Paradox, the origin of his interest in learning about sexual dimorphism, and his view that we should consider both social and biological factors when analyzing the differences between the sexes.

Who Owns the Internet?

Who Owns the Internet?

ARTICLE

The democratizing potential of the Internet echoed across the world: it was seen as a true equalizer, a force for good, and one that looked the same everywhere irrespective of one’s geographical location -- it defied all territorial borders. This vision was hardly seen as radical or controversial. Quite the opposite, it was widely embraced among tech circles, even by the likes of Microsoft.

But that Golden Age of the Internet is long gone.

Zach Elliott Dissects the ACLU’s Claims About Trans Athletes

Zach Elliott Dissects the ACLU’s Claims About Trans Athletes

PODCAST

The Gender Paradox - Zack Elliot Zach Elliott is the founder of the Paradox Institute, a science education group presenting contemporary sex difference research in short animated videos. He researches and writes about human sex differences and the biology of sex, and plans to pursue a Master of Science in Biology.

Zach joins Sasha to thoroughly dissect a recent tweet thread by the American Civil Liberties Union, “Four Myths About Trans People in School Sports: Debunked.” We read through each “myth” presented by the ACLU and tried to give as impartial and rational a critique as we could. Zach explains why the “facts” about biological sex in the thread are misleading or downright incorrect. We also discuss the recent legal cases surrounding girl’s high school track teams. Zach gives one proposal for how to solve the issue of transgender people and sports teams, and we muse on the circularity and vagueness of many of the ACLU’s points.

Identity Crisis Episode 3: Facing Despair + Debate on Porn

Identity Crisis Episode 3: Facing Despair + Debate on Porn

PODCAST

This episode we set out to answer the question, "how do you deal with feelings of despair and hopelessness in this movement?" Part of what we wanted to convey is the importance of cordial disagreements and debate. Our conversation soon became a debate on one issue that we at least partially disagree on: pornography. We decided to lean in to this clash of ideas and see what would happen. This is the result!

Jodi Shaw on Smith College, Neo Racism, and Free Thinking

Jodi Shaw on Smith College, Neo Racism, and Free Thinking

PODCAST

Jodi Shaw Jodi sits down with Sasha to tell the story of how she came to be at the epicenter of a discussion about racial bias training and the nature of oppression and conformity. Jodi is a Student Support Coordinator in the Department of Residence Life at Smith College in Massachusetts, a women’s university which is also her alma mater. She is currently on paid leave.

On Oct 27 2020, Jodi posted a video on YouTube titled “Dear Smith College: I Have a Few Requests”, in which she addresses the “policies and initiatives” that she sees as creating “a divisive, racially hostile work environment”. Jodi specifies that she is a life-long liberal, but that she considers this a human issue of reducing people to racial categories.

Jodi joins me on Crossroads for an in-depth conversation about the courage it takes to speak out, how she sees this as a workplace conditions issue, and about the reaction she has received since making that first video.