Rod Liddle - The Feminist Roots of Woke: How The West Went Mad. THE NCF SMITH LECTURE 2022.

On 29 November 2022 Rod Liddle delivered the New Culture Forum's 2022 Smith Lecture to a sold-out audience in central London. The title of his talk was "The Story of Woke: How the West Went Mad".
From cancel culture, deplatforming and policing free speech, to the extremism of Trans radical activists, Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion, "woke" ideology has permeated almost every aspect of public -- and increasingly private -- life. Not even the English language has escape unscathed.
How did we arrive in a world of "chestfeeding" "pregnant people", where even the most basic definition of "woman" can tie a political party in knots? A world where police can tell a member of the public to "check your thinking", where institutions hide statues of national heroes and where employees are forced to take absurd courses drenched in pseudo-intellectual theories of race and gender?
In this entertaining talk, Rod Liddle traces the myriad origins of the woke movement, tying it to feminism, in particular.
ROD LIDDLE
One of Britain's most-read columnists, Rod Liddle is known for his acerbic wit and his willingness to tackle difficult or controversial topics. He was the editor of the Today Programme and currently writes for The Sunday Times, The Sun and The Spectator (where is an associate editor).
His published works include Too Beautiful for You (2003), Love Will Destroy Everything (2007), The Best of Liddle Britain (co-author, 2007) and the semi-autobiographical Selfish Whining Monkeys (2014). He has presented television programmes, including The New Fundamentalists, The Trouble with Atheism, and Immigration Is A Time Bomb.
THE SMITH LECTURE
The Smith Lecture is the NCF’s flagship annual event and is delivered by a nationally or internationally significant figure from the arts, media, politics or academia noted for their involvement in the “culture wars”.
Smith Lecturers
2017: Douglas Murray, journalist & author
2018: Nigel Farage MEP
2019: Dr. David Starkey, historian & broadcaster
2021: Neil Oliver, author & broadcaster
2022: Rod Liddle, journalist & author
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[@johnprice841]

M😮cd

[@MisterWebb]

The first word out of this man’s mouth was “F-ck” - what a dreadful way to try to win over a conservative audience.

[@benh715]

I’d rather not use patreon after their appalling treatment of the free speech union. Happy to donate by alternative methods. (Fact check: Ben mixed up patreon and PayPal, but still doesn’t like patreon)

[@offshoretomorrow3346]

Paypal, you mean?

[@citycrusher9308]

The speaker supports fem rhetoric(equal pay act) - FAIL. He also tries to split fems into ''fems'' and ''woke'' in order to shift blame away from the fems - FAIL

[@peteredwards7760]

Good times leads to weak people. My mother was 19 in 1940 and was travelling home from work when an air raid began her tram had to stop she walked home with bombs dropping and spent the night in an Anderson shelter ,went to work the next day no crying was involved.

[@jonathangriffin1120]

My mother worked as a childrens nurse in Wells during WWII, she had to cycle back over the Mendips to her home in Mells. This was in the run-up to D-Day and she would pass US troops tending to their ammunition which was stacked on the sides of the road, the US troops would shout words of 'encouragement'. She would never tell us kids what they shouted though......

[@richard1342]

Yup - read the fall of the Roman empire

[@danielgask8681]

If this guy were in charge you can be sure good times, for the majority would never be seen again. We'll be poor hopeless and suffering...but at least we won't be woke What an idiotic phrase.

[@tonybamber1137]

Many, maybe the vast majority, of our women were worthy of respect. This has changed.

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@richard1342 AND---as Hitler also said, 'I paraphraise ''A nation cannot remain strong, unless it is involved in perpetual War'. But I'm, not proposing it

[@johndunn4182]

'If you teach your children to believe in nothing....... then they will believe in anything'. Even in the absurd.

[@Io-Io-Io]

Feminism- the origin of all the madness nowadays, that's what I've been saying for a long time now. Lovely to see someone else sees it too

[@morganhowie6927]

What an excellent talk!!!! Being a kiwi, I nearly fell off my chair when he started talking about Tane Mahuta, the Māori origin myth. I loved every word of this talk. I’m sick to fuck of the woke bullshit. What a breath of fresh air. Thank you so much!

[@autumnleaves2766]

An outstanding lecture by Rod Liddle, a man I respect deeply. He was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth and he's worked hard for many years to reach the top of his profession. He clearly had some supporters in the audience in London, although others stayed rather quiet and the brilliance of Rod's speech seemed lost on some of them at times. If I had been there, I would have been shouting out "here, here", "well said" etc. I laughed out loud on many occasions during this superb lecture. It takes courage to do what Rod Liddle does, and others like him such as Douglas Murray, Dr Jordan Peterson, David Starkey, Robin Aitken, Anne Widdecombe etc. For those of us much lower down the socio-economic hierarchy it is rather harder to speak out. I look forward to hearing Rod speak live at some point, hopefully in a venue well away from London.

[@man-of-the-world]

I've been saying this for the last 20 years. Feminism is the root of all wokery.

[@stevek4584]

Rod , always brave enough to say what 90% of the country thinks & believes

[@Sollatimer-Ed.southeast-]

Where did you get your 90% from?

[@lance1097]

@@Sollatimer-Ed.southeast- should be higher.

[@Sollatimer-Ed.southeast-]

@lance1097 watch question time from last night.

[@Bobmudu35UK]

​@@Sollatimer-Ed.southeast-😂😂😂😂

[@SickOfItAll-do1cf]

We really live in an insane society, brilliant speech

[@jean-pascalheynemand3271]

Much more entertaining and informative than any football match.

[@jean-pascalheynemand3271]

@Paul Hitchens Correct. People are allowed to like different things. I happen to like this more then football.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

@Paul Hitchens he was just expressing his own opinion, donut.

[@Pithead]

@@jean-pascalheynemand3271 Football being your second favourite thing, second only to this Liddle speech?

[@simonmuhamed1071]

@Paul Hitchens are you void of self awareness or are you simply being ironic?

[@jean-pascalheynemand3271]

@@Pithead No. I do not watch sports.

[@markgollop3726]

Absolutely brilliant. The best talk I've heard in a long time. Well said Rod Liddle.

[@SuzLa1]

I think feminism means something different in USA than Europe, as in Europe it only means fighting abuse and subjugation of women. Such as women didn't have as many rights and were less represented in their own country. It wasn't until recently women had the right to not be raped by her husband. In USA it seems to be an insult by men who hate women, who spend their time searching out examples of idiots who talk nonsense to say all women who fight against abuse are like that. Funny how they spend too much time online whinging against women, filling comment sections no matter what the subject as an excuse to whine on against feminists and saying what women should want, but no woman finds an abusive misogynist who feels threatened by women who have rights against them to be a turn on. I also think men and women dislike each other more in the USA than Europe, as USA women tell men they're disgusting if not cir'cised and some men who had that done develop issues, such as less sensitivity, which they spend a lot of time online trying to take out on women. Like the USA man who was banned from entering Europe for making web pages promoting men rpe and abuse women when travelling. Although I also acknowledge men from many places who have had injunctions taken out on them by women offline, then use the internet to carry on being abusive.

[@BlyatimirPootin]

Sounds like bollocks to me

[@just-a-fella3212]

@@SuzLa1 All this transgender nonsense has come from feminism. For 4 decades I have worked in nursing and psych nursing, social work and clinical counselling, in education, schools, prisons, hospitals, community health, which are all feminist dominated fields, and over the decades I have observed me feminist colleagues continually teaching and preaching that male and female gender is an artificial social construct and there is no difference between men and women except their genitalia, and failing students who resist that message, and deliberately using susceptible female counselling clients in emotional crisis to make them into "agents of social change", teaching women, youth and children, and clients for relationship counselling, that there is no such thing as truth, only individual perception, no such thing as right and wrong, only social judgement values, that conscience is an artificial psychosocial construct, that one should name, claim, honor and follow one's emotions and feelings, teaching children that homosexuality is a natural alternative to be celebrated, celebrating all the different LGBT... awareness days, holding class parties when a child comes out as gay, drumming so much into children that many men are pedophiles that the boys are scared to grow up into men because they are scared of becoming pedophiles,...... and so on, I could write hundreds of pages about the 4 decades i have witnessed of sick feminist social change initiatives pushed in our schools, universities, prisons, and clinical counselling industry. I am now convinced that feminism is a hate movement.

[@SuzLa1]

@@just-a-fella3212 That's rubbish. It has come from USA capitalism. Jazz Jennings is from the USA. USA is a sick society where men and women dislike each other, where USA women tell men they're gross if haven't been cir'cised, and many USA men are angry and confused why women see European men as more of a turn on, as it's mainly USA men who spend too much time online who I g about women.

[@littledynamoquack]

@@SuzLa1 Go away Karen. You and your Sisterhood are the problem, not the solution.

[@cecilefox9136]

My dad who died in 2011 would have agreed so much with Rod.❤

[@iainrae6159]

Love 'grumpy Rod whose plain speaking warms the cockles of my heart.

[@jumblestiltskin1365]

The single biggest con to my mind occurred when women were thrust into the workplace. What used to be affordable and reachable on one wage not so long ago at all, now requires 2 wages coming into a household. Shouldn't we have been twice as better off? No, we shouldn't, instead we have to spend a fortune, mentally and financially on paying strangers to look after the few children we can afford to bring into being.

[@lindosland]

Yes, an then another fortune in efforts to end their self-harming and body dismorphia, cure their 'mental illness' and stop them killing themselves.

[@tonybamber1137]

Amen.

[@Habu2]

Very well put jumble.....when kids are involved, (young) only one parent should have to work and it is very do-able. Either parent by the way. Society is about as messed up as can be. Allied to this is the massive breakdown of the family....FAMILY ? anyone remember that ? young girls getting pissed and then opening the legs doesn't make for a good start. EDIT. yes the guy needs to show responsibilty too but he doesen't get pregnant and despite the woke wishes about equality she has to keep them legs closed until a decent guy comes along.

[@Laurencemardon]

Zounds, egad!! & Eureka!!, Darby!!?

[@Laurencemardon]

I guess back then it was Impossible to really anticipate what the consequences could be of very nearly doubling the poolness of available staff persons?? 😈👿👽👻🎃🤲🏻🤘🤏🏾

[@BassistPaul]

Well, at least someone's telling it like it is. Well done Rod.

[@splaffyduck5787]

Telling it like it is - the guy is talking about the damaging effect of non-traditional families and saying that increasing the stigma and shame of being a single mother would help this. The same guy who ditched his wife, with whom he had 2 children, for a much younger woman and proceeded to call his wife a slut in the news. Yea sounds like he's a real stand-up traditionalist with respect for the family.

[@bigbong620]

Or maybe he's just merely saying what you want to hear.

[@BassistPaul]

@@bigbong620 "Just merely"?

[@peterhall3405]

Except Liddle is a liar. He is not telling it like it is. The way it is is this: talentless liars like Liddle get a public platform, and use that platform to cry and whinge about not having a platform. The New Culture Forum rests on the same lie. And it is a lie. There is no "woke" in the sense used by NCF, Liddle, Murray, and the rest of the vastly privildged and self-entitled know nothings. They don't like being asked to respect other people, people who have less than them, they don't like being argued with by people they think are lower class than them. Woke is nothing more, or less, than "do as you would be done by". Treat others well. Nothing more. And THAT is what the those low-lifes are campaigning against.

[@bigbong620]

Spot on!

[@mrror8933]

Wokery could be considered a form of narcissism. It's more the result of individualistic societies than collectivism.

[@martindenham2207]

I often hear it described as authoritarian. I'm sure you could add totalitarian, fascism, tyranny and other forceful control strategy in there too. The point is, they are all the product of narcissistic thinking. So I guess if you dig down deep enough, whatever is happening on the surface, it all stems from a narcissistic worldview (in all it's forms). This is clearly the psychological profile we're dealing with on this subject.

[@lindosland]

This is something I have been thinking hard about too. Narcissism may be a different configuration of 'synaptic pruning' which sets as truth the one aim of treating people as puppets to be manipulated into serving the narcissistic individual as, in effect, god. The concept of others existing as comparable sentient creatures does not exist in such brains, hence the utterly frustrating closed loop thinking that we cannot penetrate with reason. Synaptic pruning happens chiefly around age 3 with a choice of 'neurotypical', having intersubjectivity, or ''autistic' with no intersubjectivity. Then again around puberty synaptic pruning and selective myelination resulting in empathy or no empathy as the brain reforms for social interaction - or social manipulation. This, if true, means that we can only seek to rescue the young; otherwise we just waste our efforts.

[@martindenham2207]

@@lindosland Isn't this how a psychopath thinks? Seeing people as objects to use to purely to fulfil their needs?

[@kel8026]

Maybe collective narcissism exists too, but more in the form of certain types of nationalism, Nazism etc.

[@martindenham2207]

@@kel8026 Like begets like as the saying goes I guess.

[@catherinedart4777]

Thank God for the bravery of Rod! He gives me strength to deal with all the depressing nonsense that surrounds us.

[@malcolmfew4162]

Bravery? He goes to speak to an audience of closed minds that lap up everything he says. I can listen to any number of recordings including Christopher Hitchens because he goes to the lion's den.

[@menshevik1012]

@@malcolmfew4162that’s a little unfair. Rod has, more than many, put himself into the firing line. Additionally and more importantly the whole point of these lectures by the NCF is to open minds and stimulate debate. It’s not as if he could pop down to the bbc and deliver these thoughts…to those who may be interested…..as that might cause worry and upset.

[@Murray9452]

@@malcolmfew4162 yeah, and Hitchens is a fool.

[@paulatB2B]

What, like Tory incompetence and corruption?

[@menshevik1012]

@@DeanJuvenal have you really watched any of the media uploaded by ‘this group’? There is no ‘fire’ there’s just thoughts and views…some are obviously more coherent than others but they’re all interesting. I don’t see the link to Clarkson who in any case has the right to write what he wants just as I have the right not to read it.

[@borderlands6606]

Nothing underlines the shift in popular mores, than the fact Rod Liddle was producer of the Today programme on BBC radio 4.

[@wayinfront1]

Editor, not producer.

[@borderlands6606]

@@wayinfront1 Noted.

[@yp77738yp77739]

Within weeks of Humphries leaving it became so unbearable that I haven’t listened to it since, the TV went off about 20 years ago. I visited my parents a month ago and they were watching a dancing competition on BBC 1, there were midgets, giants, lesbians, gays and non binaries. It honestly felt like a circus freak show from the 1850s, I found it disrespectful. I don’t miss it one jot.

[@bigbong620]

Or maybe it underlines just how venal some journalists are.

[@katielain6519]

@@yp77738yp77739 Yep, I used to enjoy the dancing programme, trying out some of the steps at home. This programme started its rapid demise after Len left or was gently pushed. Some years ago, as you rightly stated, started going away from being a programme highlighting dancing, to a propaganda pushing freak show.

[@hamburger4622]

Superb, wonderful speech and absolutely correct 👍

[@vonryansexpress]

Fantastic - Mr Liddle is always worth listening to or reading and this Smith lecture is a nice big dollop of his wit, eloquence and intellect . . . Thank you the NCF . . .

[@minkleymcmoo5248]

Is he? Or does he just misrepresent stuff to justify his bigotry?

[@vonryansexpress]

@@minkleymcmoo5248 He has an opinion and a viewpoint, just like you, only a bigot would resent that . .

[@splaffyduck5787]

@@minkleymcmoo5248 Correct.

[@bigbong620]

@@minkleymcmoo5248 Quite.

[@littledynamoquack]

@@minkleymcmoo5248 Oh look the Department of Disinformation is here. Punkettes and punks.

[@colinfarrelly2513]

This man should be in the houses of parliament, absolutely nailed every subject, pure truth to the spineless so-called leadership of this country. Excellent Rod is one of very few who absolutely gets the mess we are in. This country is in clear and present danger with this nonsense. Bravo Rod Liddle.

[@wicksp335]

Rod's points re Suzanne Moore are right and are a classic example of the dangers of being an aggressive proponent of woke ideology, ie, the time will come when the wokists will come for you. In which case, it is unlikely that sensible folk will stand up to defend you. Loved the speech, thanks to the marvellous New Culture Forum!

[@GLK-London]

So refreshing to hear someone talk so much common sense. Thank you.

[@vordman]

Spot on, Rod. The tossers took the knee spot on 7pm GMT. I tried to miss it but I was watching the match in someone else's house.

[@stormbringerseven8288]

Glad they are out. Woke wankers.

[@JamchesterBoozle]

Tried to miss it 🤣

[@godislove8740]

@@JamchesterBoozle i managed to with no such drama

[@alexman8800]

They started the game versus France on their knees and ended it the same way.

[@philodonoghue3062]

@@godislove8740 Good to know religion is still taken so seriously … :-))

[@morespywareforyou2262]

Trenchant. Sharp, cutting, like ploughing a furrow. Right to the meat of the matter. I have subscribed to the Spectator for about 2 decades and often only read Rod. He's witty, caustic, ironic, silly but always delivers his message in a way that hits home.

[@geraint8989]

Wait a second - are you sure you can say ‘meat’? Rather an offensive and hateful word…

[@grahambedford5953]

Try Douglas Murray and Julie Burchill on there: also entertaining

[@chrissmith2114]

Really it is only Liddle and Ross Clark that make Speccie readable.

[@bigfarmerUK]

Rod, I would love to see your version of “Woke Watership Down” produced as a kids animated film. Would make good educational material for discussion at schools.

[@4june9140]

haha, yes that would be brillaint

[@lindosland]

Me too! Though it would have to be part of a 'New Education' movement, aimed at creating children with the confidence and understanding to stand up to teachers who didn't make sense and give them a very hard time. It would neve get shown in our current schools.

[@Laurencemardon]

Hmm,… the original is quite somber tragic and moving. Is this not a new piec of content for he curriculum that attaches itself like one of them lamprey things to a magical purple dolphin wearing fin-mittens and a silly hat just as the movie ends??!!

[@pathacker4963]

@@Laurencemardon I thoroughly enjoyed Watership Down.

[@Laurencemardon]

@@pathacker4963 Um,yaas, but it’s main message is about the selfish, ‘proprietary’, expropriating, insensitive and destructive habits of human beings. So to basically erase that context while resting one’s criticism of “woke” culture on the instant name recognition value of this classic tale with these still hugely important themes the and under- respected interests of other living creatures is rather stinky. That’s all I’m sayin. Put another way and in more direct response to the initial commentator’s proposal above, with regards to a curriculum amendment “imho”; Kids would derive more benefit from learning the lessons of the original watership down, and, in due course when appropriate and as needed, be given a modicum of instruction or advice from their teachers etc. about what to do when the wokest ones starting pitching and frothing.

[@mikeysaint4368]

The closest to my analysis yet, which boils down to "Who has the power and influence to force Woke on society, and who does it benefit most?" it's not Marxist intellectuals, who are hardly out there in their tens of thousands, but the people already in power who want to stay there. Woke is divide and rule, and division is what the powerful need most of all. After all, you're not going to get an uprising from ordinary people if they're too busy picking on each other.

[@ianh1247]

What a perceptive and intelligent summary of the whole "wokery madness" which will bring about the death of common sense in the UK. Thankyou Rod.

[@LeeGee]

"...cervical screening for people without a cervix..." The Sun, 2018!

[@jumblestiltskin1365]

Thay whole section had me laughing, just what the people who came up with this bollix ought to have done when they took the time to read it in the light of day.

[@bernie4268]

A pregnancy test for virgins will be next! It’s practically straight out of “Life of Brian” !

[@nickjung7394]

Prostate screening for those without a prostate! Coming to a medical practice near you soon!

[@sjam1159]

Do you have tampon dispensers in men bathrooms? We do in the US, along with commercials that “men bleed too” including little boys in the commercials. I’m astounded at that. Even if a transgender individual had “bottom surgery”, as far as I know- they’re not adding wombs and eggs to…. I’m sure you get it. My opinion? There probably are true transgender individuals and I wish them well. However, it seems now a contagion like suicide. It has become trendy for kids when so many are doing it. I don’t know about how lawsuits work in the UK, but I see many, many lawsuits coming from these kids when they get a bit older. They’ve already started, but the scale is small in what I predict in the very near future.

[@davidpescod7573]

Many thanks, Rod Liddle, for such an interesting lecture on the rise of Wokeism. A brilliant exposition of the new ‘religion’ of the middle classes in certain western countries including the UK

[@janelliot5643]

It's only the elite in the US and the people who want to pretend they are Elite because there is no middle class remaining and it's MEN leading this top-down movement funded by the big bucks of transhumanist and med tech and pharmacy-pushing billionaires

[@melb6528]

Middle income certainly not middle class it seems.

[@petermontgomery8707]

Like all religions,nothing more dangerous than the true believer

[@djackson652]

That was quite an impressive rhetorical demolition - not that it's difficult to push over a building with such shallow foundations. Pope Benedict, by the way, eviscerated all this in several encyclicals, especially on the dangers of moral relativism, and explains why I have remained a Catholic all my life, despite the mortifying scandals. Wokism is anti-human, anti-life, anti-reason and anti-God. Thank you, Rod. Very entertaining. P.S. Sorry to sound prissy but you don't need to swear for effect like so many modern "comedians".

[@misterpinkandyellow74]

It is amazing how people mis the obvious, including you.

[@50RobinHill]

Such a brilliant, witty, acerbic speech. He absolutely nails the issues. Just one thing to add - isn't 'Wokery' now a very lucrative gravy train for those pushing it? It's become an industry that gives armies of people very well-paid employment. I wonder if the growth of this cancerous movement isn't linked to our wider economic stagnation.

[@johnjaw19]

Superb! Thanks Rob Liddle and all.

[@rolandosada8077]

I love this man. I really do.

[@maccagrabme]

W0ke is one of the worst things I've ever witnessed in my lifetime and I've seen a lot since the 60s and personally experienced rassasism in the 70s and 80s as a child but never let it hold me back or expected the whole of the white race to feel guilt, todays UK is nothing like the past. This w0ke nonsense needs sending back to the hell hole where it belongs, sick of it.

[@thehound9638]

He won't shag you Rolando!

[@bigbong620]

It takes all sorts.

[@millwallholdings]

@@bigbong620 says a all sort

[@bigbong620]

@@millwallholdings Millwall..... Tells you all you need to know.

[@johnatkinson7479]

I loved this speech and broadly agree with rod His conclusion that “woke” is a first world liberal program is mostly true, but his rejection of it having anything to do with last century left intellectuals is partly false Hard left ideas from that era like “ the family is a gun in the hands of the bourgeois class” and there is something uniquely oppressive about being white and male has underpinnings in today’s problems obviously for me Today’s woke in part have picked up these “cultural Marxist” ideas and have played with them and repackaged them to suit, rods calling out the hypocrisy of today’s rubbish was brilliant also

[@AndyJarman]

Wokism is highly illiberal, nothing to do with the ideas of Locke or Adams et Al. Here in Australia the Liberal party is definitely right of centre and rules in coalition with a Conservative Nationalist party. The American Liberal party should not be allowed to smear the cause of Classical Liberalism. If this is allowed we will be well and truely lost to Authoritarian Totalitarianism. We must resist reacting with censure, that is precisely what the Woke are doing. It is VERY wrong and ends with the state killing people by the million.

[@blablablayahoo]

Without cultural marxist thinkers there would be no wokery. It's not Marx Marxism but an evolution of it through Antonio Gramsci, the Frankfurt School, french post ww2 philosophers, Herbert Marceuse, Paolo Frieri and so on.

[@offshoretomorrow3346]

YES. See my comment above. 👍

[@workhorse7134]

Haven't watched it yet, but woke has its roots in cultural Marxism. You can track its natural progression throughout Western society all the way back to the 1920s.

[@philodonoghue3062]

Agreed. The New Left - who’d only read Marx in comics - applied Marxian critical theory of class v class, feminism adapted it to sex v sex (misapplied and conflated gender [roles-] with evolutionary biological sex), Gay liberation borrowed the feminist paradigm to sexual orientation ie heterosexual v homosexual, black power / nationalists to race in the seventies from which emerged Critical Race Theory, then gender identity… , …

[@dianabower3960]

Absolutely brilliant 👏

[@thomassimmons1950]

"We are all to blame." Truth from a truth teller. Cheers Rod and Peter from the Fly Over Kingdom: St. Louis, Missouri!!

[@jontwatson7001]

Eh up Rod, I didn’t agree with everything you said in this lecture but I run a proper pub in Darlington and I would welcome your contribution. I do believe that we need to rebuild and community is how we start. Sincerely, Jonty.

[@lindosland]

Brilliant! But I think the Frankfurt School played a bigger part than Rod thinks. The evidence for this exists in the writings of Antonio Gramsci who wrote of 'The Long March through the Culture' (later called the Long March Through the Institutions by Rudi Dutschke), saying that. 'the West would have to be de-Christianised starting with the traditional family and completely engulfing churches, schools, media, entertainment, civic organisations literature, science and the revision of history.' This is very much what has happened! This idea passed to Rudi Dutschke with the slogan 'the long march through the institutions' and his activism in triggering the 1968 cultural revolution in Paris and London. In Russia in 1917 the tool for undermining had been the injustice of class distinction with capture of the means of production by an elite. Now 'neoMarxism' sought to use other divisions and alleged injustices - identity politics, race, sex, intersectionality - to rouse the masses. Then a new elite stepped in (the techno super rich) where Stalin had stepped in with the USSR, to once again bring us under totalitarianism. You can see where the logic of Marx got lost and replaced with post-modernism.

[@blablablayahoo]

Absolutely agree. Woke would not exist if it were not for Gramsci, the Frankfurt school, post-modern sophistry from french "intellectuals" and so on...

[@lindosland]

​@@blablablayahoo Thank you - great to find that someone else has come to this conclusion; and yes, the French - see Jordon Peterson etc on the depraved Foucault and others.

[@pigknickers2975]

Agreed, I have been looking at this for years. He just can't go to 'conspiracy' and instead settles on blaming us all - FALSE. It's a plan Rod, very long and clever one.

[@lindosland]

@@pigknickers2975 I wonder what you make of this reply I made to another comment on here? "Nazism is a favourite label used to shut down debate. A true study of Nazism, from its primary sources reveals that its leader described how he came across exactly what we are now seeing; the promotion of hedonism in Germany and Austria by Marxist forces intent on destroying Western values. The people agreed early on, in huge numbers, without being tricked. Nazism respected architecture (an early passion of the leader), and industry and science, and was opposed to the corrupt money power and the cheating nature of fiat currency created out of nothing and demanding interest. Jordan Peterson argues that hierarchy is essential and natural, implying that the populous must always surrender some 'freedom' and follow a common ideology. If this entails dictatorship, or totalitarianism, it is not automatically terrible - that might be the only way to defeat the virus of woke. In any case, as Peterson is keen to point out, the Marxist battle to destroy capitalism has historically always led to mass famine and death under totalitarianism - in the USSR , China, N Korea etc etc. Capitalism brought far better living standards to the West, but has now turned bad through the profit motive and marketing, and potential for monopoly power, without regard to societal benefit. We need a new approach."

[@ifanmorgan8070]

I think his core argument here is that it is more useful to analyse our own behaviour to understand our complicity in the mess that individualism has created than to raise the alarm over reds under the bed. Marxists gonna Marx, but if we let them destroy our culture and community, it’s OUR fault.

[@socratesrocks1513]

I just received an email from my alma mater (Durham, 1980's) informing me that my old college is now 'The Rainbow College' and it is holding some events I might want to attend. Needless to say, I binned it. I never thought I would be made ashamed of being a graduate of Durham: a place that was focused on rationality, hard work, and the logic underpinning argument. Supportive, yes, but only provided you did your bit and worked hard to reach your academic goals. THAT was when it was worth attending. Now, like Oxbridge, I would strongly recommend it be avoided until this insanity is quelled. If they can no longer engage in debate that is based in reason rather than emotion, they are worthless. As for asking for money, they can whistle for it. I have given in the past. Never again. Dear Durham, do you intend to return to full academic rigour; open and honest discussion and debate without the interpolation of emotion? The welcoming of people based on solely on their intellectual rigour, rather than the colour of their skin or socio-economic status (I was from a comprehensive and a poor background, but I had brains)? No? Then you must fall, for you are of no use to civilisation. You committed intellectual suicide.

[@sjam1159]

Agreed. We must return to merit based - not skin color or immigration status or sexual status! MERIT!

[@PH-ih1pn]

I think all universities have followed in one way or another. It truly is cowardly and effectively treason against reason. Not enough people willing to stand up against it, so on and on it goes.

[@tonyves]

Bravo. God only knows how the Uni's ended up so silly.

[@PH-ih1pn]

@@tonyves Agree Tony. I'm about to leave after 23yrs of university employment. The last 10yrs have been increasingly intolerable to this stupid cowardly administration and the woke activists who just destroy all reason and common sense. I'm out. Good riddance.

[@sueshrubsole3712]

Agree, Durham was on my list for languages - glad I didn't go. I would now be so ashamed!

[@dlafferty5809]

Best speech I've heard in years

[@paulmountford1972]

what about boris johnson's resignation speech??? Are you serious??

[@AndyJarman]

It could equally be argued that the intonement "get on your bike" to look for work, and the cult of University as a passport to respectability has done much to dismantle communities.

[@MrMjp58]

Well said Rod. This should have been much longer.

[@bennyhillschineseblokechar3689]

. . . said the actress to the bishop!

[@dixonpinfold2582]

I was astonished to find that 45 minutes had passed. Seemed somehow like about 20, and that says it all.

[@123prestolee]

Rod, I know you’ll never read this but anyway……..You are a very brave man, the type of passionate soul that’s sadly lacking in what is left of England.

[@wulfsige14]

The language was a tad spicy but it was a good talk. I do like Rod Liddle.

[@davidhirst7227]

Sometimes the only language that hits the right tone is bad language.

[@hittitecharioteer]

It detracted. But, RL has so much to say worth listening to.

[@wakeupuk3860]

Every word spot on, especially 'consequences' which the second half of the 20th century brought in so many social changes which were the norm for centuries i.e. feminism, gay rights, etc with the absolute and total conviction it would improve the world and without any regard whatsoever the 'consequences' would be, as we are now seeing.

[@GradKat]

Yes. The world was much happier when women and gays, and blacks for that matter, knew their place (which was somewhere well below that of straight white men).

[@sylviam6535]

@@GradKat - And now those groups are being artificially propped up, which is causing disasters.

[@RevoltingPeasant123]

@@GradKat Hence all the government schemes to keep them as eternal subjugants. Good little voters they'll be.

[@spry100]

Rod barely scrapes the surface regarding feminism. While his points about the untenable contradictions inherent in feminism’s core claims are clearly true, it’s actually worse than that. It’s not unfair to describe feminism as a movement which holds as a core doctrine the idea that women should be independent from men. “I don’t need a man” is a typical feminist rallying cry. This is a movement of separation, alienation and division, driven by the selfish concerns and narcissistic whims of elite western women. All they ever talk about is power and money. They revel in calling themselves “feminist killjoys” as if that’s a badge of honour. It’s poison all the way through and always has been going back to the declaration of sentiments at Seneca Falls in 1848. The sooner the majority of people wake up to the manoeuvre being played on them - exploiting a natural concern for women in general to the advantage of elite women in particular - the better we all will be, including the majority of women.

[@egverlander]

NCF should invite H R Clinton to speak on the Progress of Feminism ...

[@GradKat]

Re feminism, I can only speak as I find. I grew up in the 1950s, in the working class north-east of England, and women in that place, at that time, had slightly less value than racing pigeons. It is heartwarming to see how much different life is for my granddaughter, and the wealth of career choices available to her in these enlightened days.

[@egverlander]

@@GradKat Like the rest of us, now she's in the rat race that will destroy her. Money and chasing money will do her in. Good luck.

[@workhorse7134]

@@GradKat your confusing treating women better in society with insane lunatics who have hijacked that sentiment to undermine our entire society. Nevermind, you can continue to live in lala land and never have to dig under the surface to see just how morally corrupt the people pushing the madness truly are.

[@JamchesterBoozle]

WOW! 'exploiting a natural concern for women in general to the advantage of elite women in particular - the better we all will be, including the majority of women' I'm going to remember this, absolutely brilliant 👏👏👏👏

[@thelastofus2872]

woke comes from those who must not be named. Plenty of evidence if you put the time in to look at and you're honest

[@workhorse7134]

Well they were the OGs of the woke movement and today seem to be overly represented in pushing woke while using their fake religion as a shield.

[@ribbrascal1065]

Partly. Even greatly. But not totally.

[@sandrahilton3239]

im a woman and i have all the natural bits and pieces that go with it. Am i the only woman who feels i have morphed to a parallel universe. Im starting to think we have lost free speech unless it agrees with the majority. Rod Liddle is the voice of sanity. I would never say to someone ' hi, im a woman'. Why the heck to i need to know or be told others sexual orientation. Keep it to their selves and move on.

[@user-3282]

Great post Sandra. No, you are not alone in that parallel universe feeling - I have it also.

[@edcottingham1]

Give'm hell, New Culture Forum, give'm hell! Bravo!

[@abigailslade3824]

The problem is responsibility, we all make decisions and we should take responsibility for the outcome of those actions. Indeed we should consider those probable outcomes before making our choice. If you want to have male to female gender reassignment then you should have to accept that it’s unfair for you to compete against woman in sports if you want to improve sporting performance train harder don’t change gender and expect to win by default. If you want to live amongst people of your own ethnicity don’t move to a country full of peoples of different ethnicities and then complain that there are too many of them. Don’t move to a secular nation and complain no one follows your faith. Make your choice but take responsibility for your choices.

[@berlinmitte10117]

Very wise words, particularly the divide on wokeness between ordinary people and the 'elites'

[@pazuzutru-truluv7094]

Brilliant. Rod at his best and so important. It should be compulsory viewing for everyone. I mean it. Sit everyone down and make them listen, but sadly that will not happen. To Rod himself I thank you for your great words and eloquent language. I just wish I could buy you a pint one day and discuss this madness as I know for a fact that you would moderate my anger and ignorance as well as show me a better way to proceed through this minefield that awaits us all. If only I had Rod’s perspective and knowledge.

[@The.world.has.gone.crazy...]

In 50 years people are going to look back and wonder why we alloud this to happen!

[@autumnangel3001]

Excellent talk…thanks!

[@wimotten8353]

Brilliant! Thank you👍🏻

[@leeandrewclarke]

How did we, as a society, allow this madness to go this far? Decadence. Why do we abet it, now it is rampantly here? Cowardice.

[@jackgammon4084]

The answer: Holy Moral Courage. But if it came down to it when someone says: Say this lie or you'll lose your job or your house or your spouse, that's when you choose to take the mark of the beast or choose to take on the armor of God and trust in Him only for sustenance.

[@ladyrotha5420]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@JamchesterBoozle]

Absolutely brilliant speaker! Loved every minute of this.

[@Alan7997]

Wokery is the reason why gen X won't have a mid-life crisis!

[@johnatkinson7479]

👍👍👍

[@aj5424]

We just have a crisis of nostalgia and a sadness for the youth of today who wasted their youth crying whining and not doing what they should have been doing between 18 and 30. Partying and making happy memories. These people won't have a mid-life crisis they will have a mid-life mental breakdown when in the act of reflection they look back to their formative years and realize that they completely wasted it and have no nostalgia because they hijacked ours when they where actually in their formative years. Anguish and deep sadness is coming for these people.

[@ribbrascal1065]

@@aj5424 Not just for them but us anti-woke GenXers too, if we don't defeat this evil ideology. The wokinista youth are absolutely willing and capable of committing atrocities against us in the future. They want us either converted or eliminated. I've received genocidal sentiments directly from The Woke.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

'Petrie dish of decadence!' 🤣🤣

[@supercriceto]

No wonder Flashy lived in London.

[@barrylarking8986]

Joining the New Culture Forum's subscribers was one of my better initiatives. Liddle is surely correct in his analysis. Woke has no single a parent but very many. A splendid choice of speaker for the 2022 Smith Lecture.

[@bobbyunavailable]

Hi Barry, fellow subscriber here - I agree, tremendous value for money. NCF is a much needed breath of fresh air.

[@cliffwood4610]

Good old Rod,you never dissapoint.but you always seem to put our thoughts into words.long may you continue,bravo...

[@dominochappin]

This is SO good. Thank you NCF an Mr Liddle

[@tensaijuusan4653]

A brilliant and thought provoking essay on the perilous state of Western civilization and it's future prospects. The insanity of "Wokery" does not exist to any significant extent in Asia, Africa, or Latin America as far as I know, and I am hoping that this baseless hysteria will burn itself out within the next few years as did for example, McCarthyism in the early 1950's.

[@deepdublin]

McCarthy was right, the US was riddled with red fascists.

[@Erduk]

McCarthyism was correct though. We now know there were in fact plenty of communist spies both in the country and in the US government. The Cold War followed.

[@ericrawson2909]

If it doesn't we are doomed. Destroyed from within.

[@granthurlburt4062]

In the developing world, most women have no economic choice but to be married. They do 80% of the work and at most control 20% of the wealth on average and it's closer to 10%. They can be abused by husbands and have not opportunities if divorced or unmarried. The greatest possible advance for the developing world is education for women which gives them the opportunity to make a living outside the home. A great benefit of the rise in education of women is that they have children later in life and have fewer children, which is among the forces reducing the rate of childbirth to about 2.5 per couple, which is replacement rate in the developing world.

[@tensaijuusan4653]

@@granthurlburt4062 Exactly! Which is why the claim of women within the orbit of Western civilization of "being oppressed by the White male hierarchy" seems an absurdity if not outright insane.

[@amandapencil6758]

Gosh , I really enjoyed this , great thought fuel .

[@Libertariun]

Gotta listen to this on repeat. Liddle’s on fire.

[@davidbettney785]

Proud to be a fellow member of Rod's political party, the Social Democratic Party :)

[@hughmcdonnell849]

Brilliant analysis of the madness!

[@ianramage1593]

A very interesting presentation indeed. Well done NCF and thank you. It is refreshing and encouraging to realize that not everyone has descended into the rabbit hole of woke lunacy.

[@theautumnalcyclist7629]

God Bless you, Rod, for nearly 50mins of sense in this mad world

[@paulwood3460]

👋 man haters. 👋 HR. 👋 woke warriors. Welcome back masculinity.

[@josmith1815]

It's not back. As long as waman vote, it will never return

[@kokoeteantigha389]

Please, dear Britain, friendly tip from a Nigerian not living in the West, lower immigration for the sake of your country. It doesn't matter how late that may seem to be right now, just do it or you will lose your country!! I mean it.

[@derekmills1080]

A fascinating talk by a respected commentator and journalist (or is it columnist?). I await the impossibility of an ardent 'wokeist' being invited to do the same. Would they refuse the invitation or accept the invitation and castigate the audience, or accept the invitation and refuse to speak? Maybe their perception of 'rationality' would be conflated with their clouded mental chaos of irrationality. Enter Eric Blair stage left.

[@sarahhale-pearson533]

They’d probably just cover themselves in poo, and stand there screaming and sobbing abuse at the audience.

[@josefk332]

@@sarahhale-pearson533 whilst demanding reparations

[@derekmills1080]

@@sarahhale-pearson533 What a thought! 😊

[@doryreality]

Identity politics are definitely a first world affluent issue. It’s the new religion of the middle/upper classes. We have a generation of cosseted wealthy children whose parents have taught their kids that they are the most important people on the planet and it’s harmful to say no. They don’t have any emotional resilience.

[@johnnyonnotice]

Awesome lecture great points on Anamie the sense of hopelessness and how Emile Durkheim was way ahead of the curve on social constructs and how blacks didn’t even suffer from midlife crisis? It does play in with cancel culture the acceptance of cultural paradigm shifts even on the spectrum of social pathologies. It’ll be 20 years before we return to a more normal time despite the efforts of Rod Liddle. 😢

[@workhorse7134]

20 years? It could easily be 200 or 2000 years. There's no signs of the madness, dumbing down and mass indoctrination slowing down.

[@Do_Not_Comply_V]

This was incredible. Amazong speech. 100% smack on to yue WOKE CULT problem we have.

[@uprightmovement]

Being Triggered and Scared for the wind blowing the wrong way to one’s feelings, is a symptom of one’s lack and ability to self-regulate.

[@simonprodhan5050]

excellent analysis, mr liddle was particularly superb in his critique of suzanne moore and her ilk, his points about radical feminism and its huge contribution to woke ideology were also especially prescient, as good an analysis as you will find in this increasingly turbulent world

[@ipodman1910]

There is no ‘radical’ feminism. There is feminism - hateful ideology based on misoandry.

[@chrisdavie8163]

We need more Rod Liddle. He's not good with predictions, but he's great talking about issues and telling it straight. On something a bit different though, the term "social conservativism", I think it means different things to different people. That itself as a problem as you can hear some people say "ah, so you support women staying in the kitchen" and others saying, "ah, you so would rid away with gay marriage" - some social conservatives may not support either of these things, but they simply don't agree with the social changes happening right now. Someone really ought to write a book all about Social Conservativism. It exists in all political parties including Labour. It should be evaluated.

[@simongardiner949]

Feminism actually arose on US college campuses. As graduating students proliferated, competition for lecturer's jobs became intense. A few bright females came up with the idea that all men were 'rapists', and therefore not eligible for jobs in universities - they cut the competition by half at a stroke! While men in the office workplace started to fear the rising power of women, women seemed always to 'get their own way', to the point where they generally believed that they - as women - could do no wrong. Mr. Liddle rightly points out that "wokery has no ideology". Neither does 'feminism' - you know that belief that ignores truly repressed women in Middle Eastern societies - have any ideological basis, as Mr. Liddle clearly demonstrates. Feminism, as we see in our society today, is clearly a subjective 'experience', rather than a rigorously objective ideology. Thus Mr. Liddle is correct in his analysis that what we call 'wokery' is in fact a development of the 'bastard' cult of college feminism. What should have concluded this interesting lecture, is statement of the danger society faces from the exploitation of this insane new culture. Woke beliefs are totally subjective and therefore amenable to 'enforcement' by indoctrination. We see the clearest example of this in the response to Covid. This 'flu like virus arrived on our shores, as did all its processors, it had a limited danger 0.1 % mortality. There appeared a number of Government 'advisors' one of which was SAGE, whose sub cttee. SPI-B, deliberately aggrandised the danger from this virus and then instructed all media to propagate the terror of Covid to the entire population. The anti Covid measures were then enforced with messianic zeal by those who 'believed,' the resulting terror caused a weak Government to collapse before "the science". The result was lockdowns and other measures that broke the Country and severely damaged our economy - quite unjustifiably.. Fortunes were made by a handful of those operating 'Government contracts'. The indoctrination of the population and the pursuit of 'anti virus' measures, amounted to a deliberately induced National Hysteria, not unlike that lead by Mao in his 'Great Leap Forward. It is thus necessary to see 'Woke' belief, its totally subjective and illogical nature as an insipient form of hysteria. Hysteria is a mental illness in the form of dysfunctional behaviour. This lecture, is therefore on a very serious subject.

[@rl7012]

Feminism originated in Europe. And there are many different factions in feminism and so feminism is split. Liddle has lumped all feminists together but feminists are very divided on the trans women issue. However a vocal group of feminists fell for the gender self ID claptrap, and in doing so did a disservice to not only women and girls, but to the entire world. By falling for the trans activists claptrap these 'feminist' groups are actually helping erase the existence of women's rights, women sports, women's single sex spaces etc. But those feminists do not speak for all women. Most women are aghast at how the trans activists have systematically reduced women's rights and viciously bullied anyone who calls them out. The mainstream media is complicit with the trans activists. And wokery does indeed have an ideology. It comes from post modernism and is apparent in intersectionality. Critical race theory etc. are all part of the woke ideology. The problem is the woke ideology is based on unprovable, untrue, un-evidence based axioms which are not allowed to be even questioned. The wokes do not deal in logic or truth or fact or evidence, and they change the meaning of words all the time, so they are next to impossible to debate with or talk with. Wokes expect people to accept their mantra's and beliefs unquestioningly, whole heartedly and then to obey them. They will not compromise and they expect obedience and anyone who doesn't bow down to the woke groups gets bullied and their life ruined by the activists. Wokes consider it 'hate speech' to state biological facts or to state evidence based data that does not fit their world view.

[@simongardiner949]

@@rl7012 Thank you for your reply (my point about the origin of 'feminism' refers to the 1960s!). An 'ideology' that has no logical basis is not an 'ideology', it is an insipient hysteria - ie a behavioural malfunction. Marx was never 'mad', his thesis was logically argued, and thus forms an 'ideology'. My main point in response to your lecture is in my last para. The real danger is in the exploitation of the "useful idiots" of woke by unscrupulous purveyors of their own - usually evil or corrupt agenda - as the Covid and now zero carbon hysterias show so clearly. As an influential writer, I appeal to you to consider and develop this idea and thus WARN our stupid people to THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

[@rl7012]

​@@simongardiner949 You are bang on about the 'useful idiots', it is staggering how many 'useful idiots' there are. And believe me I have been trying to enlighten people to the real agenda of the wokes. Thing is so many people have been brainwashed to believe that Wokery is 'good' and 'progressive' and 'anti-racist' etc. Some are brainwashed into thinking that anyone who goes against the Woke is an evil person. And the others who follow the Wokery do so out of fear of losing their job, or being branded a n a z I racist etc. The wokes bully people, they especially women who speak out. The only reason I know so much about Wokery and its roots etc is because I got so sick of the Woke rubbish and getting upset that I was forced to take a deep dive and look at where it all came from and how it got to where it is now. And you are right that Wokery isn't a proper ideology, but that does not seem to matter because its believers will unquestioningly believe the absurd. Wokes do not deal in reason, logic or evidence. They re-write history and change the meaning of words and to be honest the only weapon we have against them is to enlighten people to their true agenda. However that is easier said than done because the minute you try and question the woke religion its followers have been indoctrinated to immediately shut you down and call you names and then try and ruin your life. Especially the trans activist wokes. And many people who are against wokery are also too scared to stand up to it in case they lose jobs/promotions/ friends etc. Nevertheless we have no choice but to keep the re-enlightenment going even if it is small scale, but it is very difficult to make anyone think for themselves when they already believe that they are thinking for themselves.

[@simongardiner949]

@@rl7012 We seem to agree. Very informative vids. on U Tube by DW (German channel) What you describe is the very means by which the Iranian "Revolutionary Guard enforces its total control over the economic and political life of that Nation. This is why so many brave souls are risking torture and death to protest "REGIME CHANGE". As with Aqida and ISIS, the religion is used to 'brainwash' and terrorize the people into submission. This why IT IS SO DANGEROUS TO LET IRAN DEVELOP A NUCLEAR WEAPON. Much heavier sanctions needed against Iran, Russia and even China - even at the risk of splitting the world and reducing trade and economic growth. THIS IS AN EVIL NEW AGE, worse than 1939 by a long way.

[@froggiewrench1]

Such a relevant metaphor, the giant rabbits, the very stuff of rigid dogma propagated by the many who have had their sinister agendas to inflict on the unsuspecting. To think that the UK has become what it purported 30+ years ago to despise, namely a collectivist Nanny State embracing more and more values of a cheerless totalitarian society. Sends shivers right down my spine. Surely collectivism at the expense of individualism, Rod, not the other way round?

[@markhoward814]

Thankyou feels like the first breath of fresh air in years . Respect to you

[@gokhangunay4345]

Easy abundance corrupts the soul! This is the reason!

[@Picnicl]

How come if someone born a man says "I'm a woman" they're transgender but if someone born a man says "I'm a penguin" they're mad?

[@nickgood8166]

It's not a black and white issue...

[@captinktm]

The problem as I see it is we all know it's gone too far. But no one is prepared to turn that dial back down. Heath and safety is a great example of this. Once some bright spark has said " Thats dangerous" It takes a very brave person to say no it isn't. I travel a lot, and in some places, a lot of places, there are massive holes in the roads and pavement, no signs, no tape, because in these countries people don't expect to be told to avoid a hole.

[@BigDog366]

This is the best thing I've listened to for ages. What a brilliant speech!

[@paulyd7121]

Rod, I'll buy an ancient printing press, learn to use it and print your book myself. Someone make it happen, it would be a best seller, guaranteed.

[@paulyd7121]

A book that most of the population will look back on in time and ask each other, did you have it?

[@asongforsimeon4310]

But where does today's Feminism come from? Notably, from the work of prominent individuals like Betty Friedan (aka Bettye Goldstein), Gloria Steinem, and Andrea Dworkin. If you trace the genesis of the culture of critique and determine the roots of all of the anti-Western social movements, they all have the same distinctive common character.

[@evolassunglasses4673]

David Rockerfeller funded a lot of its early development. Big capitalism wants both parents working full time.

[@AndyJarman]

Frederick Hegel's Young Hegelians.

[@MisterWebb]

This comment gave me the heeby-jeebies

[@SuperMikelondon]

@@MisterWebb This whole anti woke thing is an anti semitic fascist front. Woke is simply being kind, tolerant and civilised. He seems to HATE trans people. But why??

[@barrysamson5139]

Well said Rod, especially the comments about the formation of the earth and sky as they relate to us here in NZ. It is a classic example of ideology and academia controlling the minds of the young (future left wing voters) of NZ.

[@michaelwebber4033]

I live in New Zealand, I'm mid 40's and I remember being taught the Maori myth of how the earth was formed. I didn't believe it because at heart I am a scientist

[@stuartmcnair4809]

Brilliant, thanks NCF👍🏻

[@markusbroyles1884]

It would be so amazing to find out the rashes of insanity that have sprung up over the centuries in every culture as this one has. I've become a sort of scientist studying the catastrophe and mass formation or Mass Hysteria that occasionally grips a people and pits them against each other. The Bible has addressed this in the prophetic themes and especially in revelation. When it reads "Nation against nation" The greek translation really says "Ethnos Vrs Ethnos" which is race against race and apparently this means confusion of the sexes and genders as well. Strange times and cursed generations. Social media has allowed us all to see each other in a type of nakedness that we never knew before. The shame is different as well. But the God of the Bible does not change and is a mooring in deep water immune from these storms.

[@someonethatisachristian]

as a Christian I disagree with some of what this guy says, science shows God is a fact and the western world got here because people rejected the biblical world view

[@SharpblueCreative]

10000% spot on. As a Jasper Fforde reader too I totally understand you. When we stop the woke.

[@Jack-pu4rf]

About time the world WOKE up to what these people are actually doing, not only to this country, but the WORLD. We must not be silenced by this madness, we are being striped of our rights, too scared to have an opinion. Have your say. PEOPLE POWER. 🇬🇧 Rod Liddell, good speech, thank you. 🎄🎄🍷

[@benvanrensburg4261]

Interesting, and I DO like much of what Liddle says; I also agree with the essence of his sentiments against the woke phenomenon. Not to mention his acute observation that the causes include the disproportionate growth of HR departments. But I was completely flabbergasted by his idea that individualism is the culprit. That, after knocking Marx and his disciples?! Does he think Marxism is even remotely a form of individualism? It became a little clearer when he revealed what he thinks individualism is, by saying: "in every area where the individual is given priority over the many, identity politics flourishes". (1) Identity politics is collectivism through and through. By no stretch of the imagination is it any sort of individualism. (2) The entire 'problem' of priority (the one over the many versus the many over the one) is a false dichotomy, a misleading characterisation. Individualism claims equal rights for all individuals. Rights, not results. No priority disputes. No subjection under or priority over. The one owes nothing to the many. The many owe nothing to the one. Nothing can be good for the 'group' if it's bad for the individuals that make up the group!! And a group can not have any rights beyond the rights of the members of the group. So to hell with social duties, government-run corporations, safe spaces, cancel culture, racism, racism-in-reverse, restrictions on speech in the name of the non-concept 'hate speech', compulsory military service and Liddle's unqualified, vague references to 'authority'. The group can not sacrifice an individual, denying him any of the rights which they claim for themselves. An individual can not expect the group to grant him any special rights which call for theirs to be diminished in any way. THAT is not wokeness, it's the opposite, and a necessary condition for the cure. Wokeness is the wreckage, the carnage at the end of the road, of the steady growth of collectivism over a very long time.

[@kiljoy3254]

A note from 2020 On Women’s Hour last Friday they were discussing ‘making time for oneself’ ... one of the women explained how her partner would pay a short visit to a pub for a pint on the way home from the supermarket. She raised this with him and he said ‘Well there’s nothing stopping you from doing it’ ... Amazingly she had enough self awareness to honestly come clean on the fact that yeah, she could do that, she didn’t have to go straight home and busy herself with chores... presumably largely manufactured chores - doubtless in a bid to not only stem the tide of existential angst that comes with not having a rich psychological interiority... why would you when, in your youth, the baseline for ‘success’ is being sexually attractive to men? That’s a very low bar indeed (for which a kafkaesque career ambition proves an ultimately poor substitute [Tucker recently did an interesting report re the fact Elon Musk fired 80% of a category of Twitter staff, or all staff... and Twitter has, if anything, improved; that’s the kind of career that is a ‘poor substitute’])... so not only to stem said tide but most importantly to foster an atmosphere of petty tyranny, a regime of Foucauldian ‘power relations’ where the inevitable asymmetry is perceived always to be unfairly in his favour. Her tone was somewhat subdued as though she had recognised the radical life changing truth of this for the first time: ‘He’s right, there is nothing stopping me.. except me’ (I think were her exact words). Well done for that anyway, but don’t expect the BBC to have a similar awakening; when she said that the main protagonists of the WH discussion pretended not to recognise the implication and without missing a beat casually continued to cultivate the preferred narrative.

[@GradKat]

Maybe she didn’t feel like drinking in a pub by herself. Maybe she was responsible enough to go straight home and tackle whatever outstanding jobs were waiting. Maybe her partner went for a drink so he could avoid having to lend a hand with the chores.

[@kiljoy3254]

@@GradKat Ah bless... such Christian charity. None of that could be deduced from the scenario she recounted. But speaking of ‘maybe’ ... maybe the Twitter revelations are just wrong, maybe Katie Hobbs did in fact win the AZ election... maybe the hard core São Paulo Forum ?Marxist, Lula, really did win the Brazil election etc etc. The lady you were describing sounds like a good conservative homemaker/keeper, not what Women’s Hour really has much time for

[@mavisemberson8737]

Actually there is a lot more housework to do than we think. when we get home. Tasks proliferate as soon as we start , even when we are retired. As soon as we get home it is another half hour before we can sit down and think about a meal. Try it.

[@kiljoy3254]

@@mavisemberson8737 well, I confess it is true I am rather lousy in this department; housework is important and perhaps I am being a little unfair in this particular instance. That said, I maintain the mentality, phenomenon , I’m describing manifests in multiple ways and is all too common.

[@alexalexandersson7658]

Why was his speech censored? There are many sequences clearly missing. Love it though, and would say it’s the most important to stand up against this, the reason behind impending collapse.

[@tonygibson6436]

Rod Liddle is an articulate, engaging and humorous storyteller. Easy on the ear with his sardonic delivery of anti-woke truth bombs.

[@Erduk]

Wait... He says woke isn't from Marx, but instead from feminism. Yet feminism has clear Marxist origins.

[@gillps5130]

And Marxist origins are....