what are some of the other published critiques of woke identitarianism you refer to in this post? maybe they're ones i've seen floating around already, but i'd like to know which ones have caught your eye in particular.
The two I intend to read are Freddie deBoer's book (it came out last week) and Susan Nieman's (March I think). I suspect their books are written more from a dem-soc perspective, but I have not read them yet.
I asked for your book for my birthday in October. Can't wait! Would love to catch you on tour but being in the US (and in Portland, OR, no less!) makes that a challenge!
In addition to Freddie DeBoer's new book, I intend to read "The Identity Trap" by Yaucha Mounk to get his perspective. Just listened to an interview with him on Tara Henley's Lean Out podcast/Substack.
There seems to be a nascent dearth of books being released addressing the issue of identitarianism from the left, which is a hopeful prospect.
I may actually go to Portland for a reading in December or January, despite my misgivings. Seems there is enough of you there to make it less likely I'll be shouted down. :)
Great news! Well, I just gifted your new book to a friend for his birthday, so perhaps you'll have an extra person to see you if you end up making it:)
"Dangerous." I've been bemused about the apparent evolution of this word for some time now.
I had a physically abusive parent growing up. Real bad stuff- kicked hard enough to pee blood, occasionally being knocked out.
I've been (unsuccessfully) sexually assaulted several times when I still lived in NY. Held at gunpoint a few times. In middle school and high school, I was in schoolyard and street brawls with other girls, and sometimes boys. Occasionally weapons were involved. I've got stitches and three concussions under my belt.
I've been thrown from a motorcycle several times- luckily, never seriously injured. I've been in several car accidents where the vehicle was totaled- again, luckily never seriously injured. Attacked by wild animals, etc. You name it.
That's dangerous. Ideas that "might piss off or alienate people" don't feel especially dangerous. Irritating? Infuriating? Potentially embarrassing? Maybe.
Anything that leaves you alive and reasonably intact isn't "dangerous" unless it leads to people venting their anger by doing one of the aforementioned things to you. If the worst risk you face is a challenge to your own thought process, you're very fortunate indeed.
Patiently waiting for mine to arrive--due Monday. Really exited to explore this topic as it’s something I’ve been pondering on for a while but haven’t dived deep into yet. :)
I really, really loved it! I grew up chronically online, Tumblr specifically, and formed some interesting opinions on the right way to go about certain things, but now as I’m exploring climate justice and other forms of economic arrangements Im finding a lot of these preconceptions don’t quite fit this world, but I have been unsure how to go about exploring this. Well i found a way! I am going to be recommending this to my friends in similar positions. I also dropped you a review on Goodreads :)
Nice one Rhyd. I will order a copy. It's also a sensible price here in the UK. Maybe the storm means something if one chooses to read life as a 'book of omens.' Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps it was just a passing storm.
I'm right in the middle of it and finding it really helpful. I've had a couple of run-ins with these ideologies over the past few years (because I don't seem to be able to keep my mouth shut 😂) and this has been a net positive gain, actually, because it's opened my eyes to what's going on and clarified where I stand. Reading books like yours, Rhyd, helps consolidate this. Looking forward to meeting you in London next week!
Looking forward to the bookstore's notification! It'll be at the top of my reading stack. If the timing is right I may venture to your Portland reading (from Montana). Any other locations in the western USA (esp southwest)?
Got it, read it. Loved the invocation of friendship at the end. In 2016 I over heard a conversation at work. The two were commenting on the possibility another employee might be voting for Trump. The venom in their voices was intense, it was as if that employee was a combination human trafficker and meth dealer doing hit jobs on the side. I knew him to be an over all good person in his day to day actions whom I would go to for advice and input on work related matters. Have no idea on how he voted.
I decided never to let politics poison my relationships. After all politics is a tiny part of my life in real terms, just placing black marks once or twice a year on a mail in ballot. Which is true of the vast majority of people, voting, at most perhaps a bit of volunteer work, a donation or two and maybe an email or letter in support of something. The rest of the time working, recreation, sleep, family, friends, hobbies, daily household and family responsibilities, schooling which all looks quite alike for most of us. There is plenty of shared life and commonality outside politics and beliefs which exist mostly in your head and feelings.
Can't wait for my physical copy to arrive!
I'm so eager to hear what you think!
my copy should be arriving any day
now--can't wait to read!
what are some of the other published critiques of woke identitarianism you refer to in this post? maybe they're ones i've seen floating around already, but i'd like to know which ones have caught your eye in particular.
The two I intend to read are Freddie deBoer's book (it came out last week) and Susan Nieman's (March I think). I suspect their books are written more from a dem-soc perspective, but I have not read them yet.
I asked for your book for my birthday in October. Can't wait! Would love to catch you on tour but being in the US (and in Portland, OR, no less!) makes that a challenge!
In addition to Freddie DeBoer's new book, I intend to read "The Identity Trap" by Yaucha Mounk to get his perspective. Just listened to an interview with him on Tara Henley's Lean Out podcast/Substack.
There seems to be a nascent dearth of books being released addressing the issue of identitarianism from the left, which is a hopeful prospect.
I may actually go to Portland for a reading in December or January, despite my misgivings. Seems there is enough of you there to make it less likely I'll be shouted down. :)
Hey! It would be great to see you in Portland after all--much less of a drive if nothing else!
Great news! Well, I just gifted your new book to a friend for his birthday, so perhaps you'll have an extra person to see you if you end up making it:)
"Dangerous." I've been bemused about the apparent evolution of this word for some time now.
I had a physically abusive parent growing up. Real bad stuff- kicked hard enough to pee blood, occasionally being knocked out.
I've been (unsuccessfully) sexually assaulted several times when I still lived in NY. Held at gunpoint a few times. In middle school and high school, I was in schoolyard and street brawls with other girls, and sometimes boys. Occasionally weapons were involved. I've got stitches and three concussions under my belt.
I've been thrown from a motorcycle several times- luckily, never seriously injured. I've been in several car accidents where the vehicle was totaled- again, luckily never seriously injured. Attacked by wild animals, etc. You name it.
That's dangerous. Ideas that "might piss off or alienate people" don't feel especially dangerous. Irritating? Infuriating? Potentially embarrassing? Maybe.
Anything that leaves you alive and reasonably intact isn't "dangerous" unless it leads to people venting their anger by doing one of the aforementioned things to you. If the worst risk you face is a challenge to your own thought process, you're very fortunate indeed.
Patiently waiting for mine to arrive--due Monday. Really exited to explore this topic as it’s something I’ve been pondering on for a while but haven’t dived deep into yet. :)
Hope you enjoy it! Please let me know what you think!
I really, really loved it! I grew up chronically online, Tumblr specifically, and formed some interesting opinions on the right way to go about certain things, but now as I’m exploring climate justice and other forms of economic arrangements Im finding a lot of these preconceptions don’t quite fit this world, but I have been unsure how to go about exploring this. Well i found a way! I am going to be recommending this to my friends in similar positions. I also dropped you a review on Goodreads :)
Thank you so much for the amazing review! You were the first. :)
big congratulations! don't let the bastards get you down ✊🏻
haha never! :)
Nice one Rhyd. I will order a copy. It's also a sensible price here in the UK. Maybe the storm means something if one chooses to read life as a 'book of omens.' Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps it was just a passing storm.
Congratulations! Penguin Random House, no less! Wow!
Yeah, pretty wild, huh? When I saw they were the US distributor for the book on my contract, I was quite floored.
I'm right in the middle of it and finding it really helpful. I've had a couple of run-ins with these ideologies over the past few years (because I don't seem to be able to keep my mouth shut 😂) and this has been a net positive gain, actually, because it's opened my eyes to what's going on and clarified where I stand. Reading books like yours, Rhyd, helps consolidate this. Looking forward to meeting you in London next week!
So glad you’ll be there!
Looking forward to the bookstore's notification! It'll be at the top of my reading stack. If the timing is right I may venture to your Portland reading (from Montana). Any other locations in the western USA (esp southwest)?
Got it, read it. Loved the invocation of friendship at the end. In 2016 I over heard a conversation at work. The two were commenting on the possibility another employee might be voting for Trump. The venom in their voices was intense, it was as if that employee was a combination human trafficker and meth dealer doing hit jobs on the side. I knew him to be an over all good person in his day to day actions whom I would go to for advice and input on work related matters. Have no idea on how he voted.
I decided never to let politics poison my relationships. After all politics is a tiny part of my life in real terms, just placing black marks once or twice a year on a mail in ballot. Which is true of the vast majority of people, voting, at most perhaps a bit of volunteer work, a donation or two and maybe an email or letter in support of something. The rest of the time working, recreation, sleep, family, friends, hobbies, daily household and family responsibilities, schooling which all looks quite alike for most of us. There is plenty of shared life and commonality outside politics and beliefs which exist mostly in your head and feelings.