Baseline Me. What You See Is Really What You Get.

We seem to live in a realm where a substantial majority of us have a real reticence about saying the wrong thing, or being perceived as hateful or phobic should they share an opinion that does not gel with the mood of the moment. This makes me a little sad, and I kind of wonder how we reached this point? But rather than dwell on that I want to explain where I am coming from, because I have some baseline principles that I try to live by. First off, I don't want people to have to 2nd guess me. I'm not a mystery to be solved. If I say something it is because I hold that particular view at that particular moment. My opionion might evolve over time as I discover new elements of an argument or have experiences that influence my thinking, but that's true for most of us, or at least I hope it is. Some might describe me as outspoken but I don't think this is really so. I'm simply prepared to share my position whilst being open enough to accept that it could be wrong, or could change. What bought me here is my life journey which has taken me down some interesting routes. From a lost and uneducated teen to a failed writer to a hard working professional in some fascinating fields. Those of you who met me in later life may not know that I was once a Bible believing evangelical Christian from the age of 24 to 36. It was a very deep and meaningful part of my life and I learned much, despite ultimately reaching a different view of the world. Leaving a strongly held faith having lived it for so long leaves you with some huge gaps to fill. All the questions you thought you had resolved need to be revisited, and this happens whilst you're working through a kind of bereavement. I basically challenged every perspective I ever held and realised that I liked doing it. I'd argue there's a humility in reflection, in recognising that the world doesn't come neatly packaged and that there are contradictions and connundrums everywhere you turn. Figuring out where you stand is a lifelong journey and I'd caution against making assumptions of any kind. That said I do have core principles I try to abide by. I never judge somebody by their appearance alone, which took practice but once mastered was so liberating. I can be around a person of immense physical and intellectual beauty and not be the slightest phased because I am judging them by the content of their character rather than the external stuff. I also want people to know where they stand with me and accept that they might not like what they see. I will say what I think and that might not be what you were expecting or hoping to hear. It might cause you to disapprove, but at least you won't have to 2nd guess. I'm an advocate of hard work too, and I apply myself well in most environments. I dislike lazy people, and I don't just mean physically lazy. Mentally lazy people, too. I also take a very dim view of bullies and if I have one trigger point it is this. As someone who was both bullied and who did their fair share of bullying as a kid I learned a very controversial lesson. I never turn the other cheek. I always fight back. I was the kid at school who'd always fight the bigger guy. Not because I would win, but because at root a bully is an insecure coward and if you stand up to them they tend to pick a different target next time. I'm not going to say this is a sensible strategy a but its who I am. Happily, at my age most of my confrontations are of the mental variety so I tend not to emerge with a black eye. Look, all of this is simply to illustrate that I think being authentic matters. Poeple don't have to like me but I hope they know where they stand. I hope they can be confident that the version they get of me is always the real one. I'm not an act. Not some cabaret. No performance artist. What you see is really what you get.

Netflix, Some Elements Of The Trans Community, And The Curious Case Of Dave Chapelle

For the uniniated Dave Chapelle is a comedian. I can take him or leave him. He can be bit edgy on occasions. Some people don't like this and have tried to have his latest Netflix special removed from the service. Potted version, he made a few jokes about the trans community and also dared to agree with JK Rowling when she was critical of the same demographic. Full disclosure, I fully support the trans community and feel strongly that a person should always have the opportunity to be the truest version of themselves. This to me is basic kindness. But, I caveat this by adding that I think there is a sub section within this community that has gone about things in an entirely dumbass way. Now I expect the vast majority of those who self designate as trans are perfectly rational and see the world through a well informed lens. Sadly, there is also a very vocal fringe that appears to think that the best way to deal with voices of dissent is to silence them. Consequently, I fear that they are losing a lot of support from people who would otherwise be on their side. So here's the thing; we live in a world of opposing viewpoints. It is by the sharing of these that we come to better understand each other. Conversation is a wonderful way of resolving misunderstanding, reducing tension, and building bridges. When we don't talk, and when we actively deny others a voice we do an unspeakable harm. Silence can breed resentment and misunderstanding, and lead to the kind of violence with which we are all too familiar. So whilst this vocal trans minority may think they are acting wisely what they are actually doing to placing a ticking time bomb beneath their own cause. They are actively self harming, yet many seem oblivious to this. Now you all know me as someone who will happily wade in to difficult topics, and to me this issue is clear. It's painfully simple. Live and let live. You have your voice and I shall have mine, and through the free exchange of ideas we'll figure something out. I get that some opinions can be hurtful, and there are things we might prefer not to hear. In the case of Netflix we have this remarkable piece of technology called a remote control. We can change channel. It's quite something. Today over a 1000 staff at Netflix are staging a walk out because the Dave Chapelle comedy special has been allowed to remain on air. Their efforts to cancel yet another voice have failed, and I'm delighted. Dear trans community; you don't get to tell me what I can find funny. You do not get to tell me what I can and cannot watch. And you sure as fuck don't get to tell me who get's to speak and who does not. Your actions are sending a horrible message to the world and you need to cut this nonsense out. You are not the thought police. We do not require such a service. People like me are on your side, but if you keep this up your going to be hemorrhaging allies that would otherwise have your back.