Ricky Gervais’ personal philosophies may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but when it comes to the importance of free speech and exposure to other points of view, he absolutely nails it.
Earlier today, he offered this sobering but accurate assessment of Twitter as a purported platform for diversity of thought and ideas:
Twitter seems to be gangs of people trying to 'out-extreme' one another. Attempting to be fair and balanced these days, and trying to see 'both sides', simply means you're hated by 'both sides' for not totally agreeing with them. Even asking a question is seen as a threat. Scary.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 30, 2021
It is scary. Despite what some people insist upon, cancel culture is real. People have been un-personed for expressing the wrong opinion or asking the wrong question.
And, as Gervais points out, it happens on both sides. And it accomplishes nothing other than making the discourse even more toxic.
Holy Moly, you are so right! I once asked a fair question and was attacked by people I don’t know. I even prefaced my question with the fact that I was unfamiliar with the situation. But still. One nice person came to my defense and said geesh, she is only asking. I thanked her.
— Linda Chambers (@wandachambers) August 30, 2021
The way it is at the moment, you could even say good morning and someone would find a reason to have a go at you over that, or try to tell you ' well it's not technically morning blah blah blah'
— Hayley Laura (@LilHay) August 30, 2021
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The middle ground seems to be getting smaller. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Common sense/middle ground disappearing fast!
— Samantha Barmer (@BarmerSamantha) August 30, 2021
We’re still here it’s just labelled ‘right wing’ nowadays unfortunately.
— Rob Hazuki 🖥🎨 (@TheRobAlmighty) August 30, 2021
That’s not debate; it’s just intellectual laziness and genuine intolerance.
Spot on
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) August 30, 2021
Food for thought on our polarization of politics and society https://t.co/isZVXFTfIK
— Joshua Brunken – Soylent Green 2022 (@JoshuaBrunken) August 30, 2021
Exactly what I said earlier but in a simpler form.
People want open mindedness and good conversations and expect people to be educated but can't give it back. https://t.co/j8GbyHF2sT
— Naman Jawaid (@Controversialll) August 30, 2021
Exactly right. Tribalism is killing democratic debate. https://t.co/mSqlnZZ4qF
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 30, 2021
Totally agree. We’ve lost the art of debate or reasoned argument. Crazy.
— Nicky Chance-Thompson DL (@nickychanthomp) August 30, 2021
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