505. Europe Imploding | Andrew Doyle & Graham Linehan

The guests, including Graham Linehan, Jordan Peterson, and Andrew Doyle, discuss the perilous nature of woke ideology on free speech and creative expression, highlighting the climate of censorship and enforced ideological conformity.

Woke ideology has led to a climate of censorship and intolerance for dissenting views, stifling artistic and comedic expression

Linehan and Doyle articulate a culture where ideological purity is paramount, and deviation is swiftly punished. Comedians and artists face significant pressure to align their work with certain beliefs. For instance, Doyle cites the loss of a project with Steve Martin minutes after being hired due to being labeled a bigot. He also recounts how a musical based on "Father Ted," expected to be highly successful, was taken from him and would not be made if his name was associated with it.

Furthermore, Linehan observes that wokeness manipulates language to repel criticism and bullying, claiming progressive and liberal labels while often acting in contradiction to those principles. Doyle also highlights an expectation of moral purity in the performance space, where expressing non-conforming views or questioning dominant narratives can lead to ostracization.

Comedians and creative professionals face immense pressure to conform to ideological orthodoxy, with their livelihoods threatened for expressing non-conforming perspectives

The creative industry and comedians often find themselves at the frontline of ideological battles, pressured to comply with rigid standards. Doyle mentions comedy clubs in London imposing contracts that dictate acceptable subjects for humor, and how such environments support "regime comedians," who thrive off policing one another rather than promoting genuine creativity.

Ambiguous and poorly-defined concepts like "hate speech" are weaponized to silence critics, with no due process or right to face one's accusers

Linehan shares how support for him would mark one as a target, illustrating the severe consequences of dissenting from dominant viewpoints. Peterson acknowledges the online amplification of this targeting. They discuss organized efforts to enforce ideological conformity, such as Linehan facing character assassination on Wikipedia and misunderstandings about the satirical intentions of figures like Count Dankula.

Woke activists and ideologues have infiltrated positions of power within institutions, using their influence to enforce ideological conformity

The infiltration of woke activists and their ideology within institutions has led to a culture of fear and enforced conformity, with significant ramifications for those in creative fields.

Government bodies, media organizations, and educational institutions have been co-opted to promote woke narratives and punish those who deviate from them

The guests describe how institutions across government, media, and education promote a singular narrative, where individuals are compelled to adhere to it or face exclusion. Peterson discusses the allure of claiming moral virtue, suggesting this as a guise for enacting authoritarian control over discourse and cultural production.

Artistic productions and cultural artifacts a ...

The conversation highlights concerns about the way language and moral judgments are being used to potentially bypass the legal protections of due process.

The rise of "non-crime hate incidents" in the UK exemplifies how language can be twisted to circumvent due process and the presumption of innocence

Graham Linehan brings to light the "weaponization of the law in the UK," particularly focusing on non-crime hate incidents. He elaborates that these incidents, rooted in the MacPherson Report from 1999, do not require evidence of hate but merely the perception of it to be recorded by the police. Over a quarter of a million non-crime hate incidents have been recorded against UK citizens.

Vague and subjective definitions of "hate" allow activists to target and punish individuals without any requirement of evidence or a clear violation of the law

Linehan notes that, according to the guidance from the College of Policing, no evidence is needed for hate to be recorded for these incidents. This system allows for a member of the public with a grudge, or a network of activists, to use this process against anyone they dislike, which could significantly damage the targeted individual's personal and professional reputation.

Individuals accused of "non-crime hate incidents" face severe professional and personal consequences, with their reputations and livelihoods at risk

Linehan discloses that despite the Home Office's direction to stop recording non-crime hate incidents, this practice has continued. The College of Policing's guidance enables the recording of such incidents based on individual perception. This can affect the accused person's employment opportunities, particularly in sensitive roles, as it could show up in an enhanced DBS check.

Governments and institutions have embraced authoritarian measures to preemptively punish perceived "hate" or "extremism"

Andrew Doyle and Jordan Peterson discuss the detrimental implications of vague and ever-changing language in legislation, particularly surrounding gender identity and speech.

Proposed legislation in Canada would allow authorities to monitor and restrict the activities of individuals believed to be at risk of committing "hate crimes" in the future

Peterson cites Canadi ...

Andrew Doyle, Jordan Peterson, and Graham Linehan discuss the importance of comedy, storytelling, and artistic expression as essential tools in challenging totalitarian ideologies and promoting freedom of thought.

Comedy has a unique power to challenge orthodoxies and expose the absurdities of ideological dogma

Laughter is a spontaneous, honest response that cannot be easily controlled or manipulated by those in power

Peterson elaborates that collective laughter in response to comedy establishes a consensus of truth on matters, which is significant as laughter is sudden and uncontrollable. It represents the shared recognition of truth. He emphasizes that the best kind of laughter arises when people are ashamed of themselves for laughing, indicating that comedy can boldly address taboo topics.

Comedians who are willing to "say anything, as long as it's funny" can push the boundaries of acceptable discourse and give voice to perspectives suppressed elsewhere

Andrew Doyle discusses how his satirical character, Titania McGrath, critiques and satirizes movements he disagrees with, and explains the importance of making it safe to laugh at outrageous ideas. He also touches on the idea that everyone has unwittingly become part of a surveillance apparatus and points out that humor, as seen in The Onion, can reveal such absurdities in social control.

Doyle uses Pokémon Go as a metaphor for how creative narratives can subvert control mechanisms. Peterson mentions Joe Rogan's Comedy Club in Austin, which is thriving and fostering a new generation of comedians. Linehan talks about the potential for the oppressive climate to produce amazing comedic content, while Peterson stresses that creative freedom is necessary for thinking creatively and that great comedy often flirts with the boundaries of being offensive without crossing the line.

The podcast references how comedians like Count Dankula face legal consequences for jokes, and how the comedian's role in telling the truth has significant implications because comedy reveals honesty through spontaneous reactions like laughter.

Storytelling and artistic expression, when unburdened by ideological constraints, can illuminate universal human truths and offer a counterweight to totalitarian narratives

Great works of art and literature have a timeless power to transcend the political and social conditions of their creation

Peterson emphasizes the importance of great stories that aren't subservient to propaganda, as that would destroy their greatness. Nothing is more destructive to propagandistic totalitarianism than greatness, he asserts. Linehan discusses how Shakespeare's plays continue to be relevant throughout time and not bound to the time they were written because they reflect diverse human thoughts.

Linehan describes the transformative and transcendent capacity of art when not constrained by a particular ideology, positioning it as a potential counterbalance to ideolo ...

Graham Linehan, Andrew Doyle, and other creative individuals from the UK are turning to the United States for artistic freedom in response to the suppression of free speech and creative expression in their home country.

Individuals like Graham Linehan and Andrew Doyle, facing professional and personal persecution in the UK, have sought refuge and opportunity in more permissive environments like the United States

The suppression of free speech and creative expression in the UK and Europe has driven many talented artists and thinkers to seek greener pastures elsewhere

Linehan and Doyle experienced increased professional repercussions, censorship, and backlash in the UK for their views and comedic expression, leading to cancellations of shows and threats. Linehan narrated an incident where his show in London featuring his character Titania McGrath got canceled after the venue's operator found out about it. He also shared that opportunities, like writing a play and teaching comedy in Australia, were canceled due to security concerns, reflecting an environment hostile to free speech.

The ability to freely engage in comedy, storytelling, and other forms of artistic expression is a powerful draw for those fleeing ideological oppression

Despite the backlash, Doyle found commercial success through his satirical character, demonstrating a desire for controversial creative content. However, the lack of support from his peers led him to seek a more supportive ambiance for his work.

The migration of creative minds to open societies represents a brain drain for repressive environments and an opportunity for freer societies to cultivate new cultural and artistic movements

Linehan, Doyle, and like-minded individuals have cited the restrictive climate in the UK as drivers of their decision to relocate to more freedom-embracing environments. Specifically, Linehan, Doyle, and Rob Schneider are building a new entertainment enterprise in Phoenix, Arizona, which will allow them to produce humorous content without the oppressive restraints they experienced in the UK.

The success of these creative exiles in their new homes can inspire and embolden others to resist totalitarian impulses in their own countries

Linehan's previous success with sitcoms like "Father Ted," which had a cultural impact in Ireland, exemplifies the poten ...