Ben Burgis: "Cancel Culture" or Crumpled Lists | How Purity Tests and Virtue Signaling Hinder Left Unity

Trickle-Down Socialism

CMoney Burns interviews Ben Burgis: philosophy professor, host of "Give them an Argument" podcast, and author of "Canceling Comedians while the World Burns: a Critique of the Contemporary Left." In the interview, Burgis explains key ideas from his recent book, including how the phenomena that the Right has dubbed "Cancel Culture" might not be the best use of time and energy on the Left, but that it comes from a place of frustration, lack of policy wins, and a desire to see at least some results from activity on the Left. Burgis uses the example of Bernie's recent interview with Maureen Dowd of the NYT, in which Bernie demanded that the interview stay focused on policy proposals that Senator Sanders was trying to include in legislation in the Senate rather than cultural 'distractions' like the #FreeBritneySpears controversy, to demonstrate what discipline on the Left looks like. Also mentioned in the interview: Stalin's recent rise to "trending" status on Twitter and how Burgis doesn't think trotting out Stalin is the best way to convince new people to join the Left.

Burgis writes for Jacobin in addition to his recent book on Cancel Culture. You can find him on Twitter @BenBurgis and his book is available wherever you get your books.

This episode was edited, mixed, and mastered by CMoney Burns. For help with your audio needs, feel free to contact him on Twitter at @CMoneyBurns

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