I actually like @benryanwriter and it's clear that he's genuinely trying to get this issue right and of all the MSM journos covering it, he's probably among the closest TO getting it right. But man, these guys need to pull their head out of their asses and understand what's at stake here It is absolutely essential that journalists covering this story stop lying to the public about something as fundamental as the sex of the ppl they're discussing. How can we trust the media to accurately report on this (or any) issue when they so casually lie to us about something as fundamental as the sex of ppl they're discussing? How can we believe anything else they say when they lie about something so basic? It's all the more frustrating in Ben's case because of all the MSM journos, he does seem to "get it". But how can someone who seems to understand this issue not see the direct harm being caused by continuing to refer to men as women? Do they not see that incorrect pronoun usage isn't just a "harmless kindness"? Can't they see it was the Trojan horse that get us into this whole mess in the first place? Every time a journalist calls a man "she" they make it that much harder to keep men out of female single-sex spaces down the road (which is of course precisely why they came after language first, for that exact reason). Everytime they refer to a man as "her" they strengthen that man's argument for why he SHOULD be allowed in female bathrooms, SHOULD be allowed to compete in female sports and SHOULD be housed in female prisons. After all, if the entire purpose of language is to accurately describe reality, then surely our perception of reality is in turn influenced BY language? Language isn't just a passive way to describe reality, it is also a proactive way to shape it (or at least the perception of it). This is why this issue is so important in ways that go beyond anything specific to this debate, because now more than ever, at an absolutely fundamental level, we need to know that truth still matters. As a society we are adrift, and we need anchors that ground us to reality. We need to know that objective truth still MEANS something. I know that Ben believes he's "being kind" or just showing "proper respect" by referring to ppls preferred pronouns. But that's also a problem; if you are explicitly lying to your readers "out of respect": 1) First and foremost, you are disrespecting your readers, but also 2) you are implicitly endorsing the idea that NOT using incorrect pronouns is DISrespectful. I believe that's a fundamentally harmful message to reinforce the rest of society. It is NOT disrespectful to tell the truth. Ppl need to be able to tell the truth about easily observable reality or we've got far bigger problems than gender issues.
I do understand this is a contentious issue in the GC community, with some ppl say my post above is just as much "compelling speech" as TRA's do. I've considered that argument, but I don't think it holds water. I think the difference maker is, one side is demanding truth the other is demanding a lie. I do not think there is a moral equivalency between the two. And I would never try to compel someone's personal speech, or what pronouns they use in their day to day interactions. But that's different when they are acting AS journalists in the public sphere, you have responsibilities in that scenario that the guy just trying to make it through his day does not. By taking the job you are agreeing to certain fiduciary responsibilities that you owe society by dint of your position, and speaking truth is at the core of that. Its sort of the "with great power comes great responsibility" angle here. Journalists have great power in today's society; but with that comes the requirement that you use that power responsibly, and at the heart of what I mean by that, is to speak truth. And I also understand and sympathize with the tricky situation journos find themselves here. Beyond the professional pressure to conform, there are some practical issues at play. These ppl have bills to pay, mouths to feed, and this has the potential to disrupt their livelihood, so I get all of that. I do think there's space for a compromise here where neutral pronouns are used "they/them/theirs" instead of the male or female version. You could also go out of your way not to use pronouns at all. Of course that would read a bit clunky and "off" but I actually think there's value in that. The reader would recognize that the writer is going out of their way to not use pronouns, and would understand why, and I think it would actually act as a notable silent protest where journos don't rock the boat by "misgendering" someone while at the same time refusing to go along with a lie.
Thank you for your thoughtful, rational posts on a troubling matter with great ramifications for our children and the future in general. “…now more than ever, at an absolutely fundamental level, we need to know that truth still matters. As a society we are adrift, and we need anchors that ground us to reality.”
@Rob_ThaBuilder Agreed. One acknowledges reality - thus, even if it constitutes compelled speech, it’s compelled factual reality. The other denies reality - and nobody should required to deny reality.
@Rob_ThaBuilder I don't feel compelled to follow you or like and retweet your stuff, but I do because I like what you say.. Some ppl are just judgemental hypocrites 🙄
@Rob_ThaBuilder I'd go all the way around the🌎to say 'this person' or use proper names. It's awkward, but saves one from outright lying, committing sins against trans ideology & more importantly, offending people- although most would still consider not being called by female pronouns offensive1
@Rob_ThaBuilder What about just being truthful? It really is as basic as that! Tell the truth! Isn't that what journalists are meant to do? Don't write fiction unless you are an author🤷
@Rob_ThaBuilder Governments are allowing people to change their official documents from male to female and visa versa. In Germany this requires the person to also use a first name associated with that. And it makes disclosing a person's prior identity a serious crime. bbc.com/news/world-eur…
@Rob_ThaBuilder You can't demand facts instead of belief out of my people either tho bec religious freedom would be in the crapper. Imagine forcing feminists to stick to facts instead of opinion? Some of us are against compulsion of any kind & we haven't changed& it's defamation to claim we have
@Rob_ThaBuilder The pronoun debate is about two different ways of using language. Communicating information or a relationship statement. Journalists should do the former.
@Rob_ThaBuilder Every now and then, I read a story about some couple, one of whom is trans, that had or is having a baby. And, because of the pronouns that the writer used, I have no idea who actually did what.