Quillette Cetera

Drew Pavlou is an Australian student and activist. He made international news after he led protests at the University of Queensland in Australia, supporting Hong Kong and criticizing the university's ties to China. His actions led to a high-profile disciplinary case against him by the university, and a $3.5 million lawsuit which was recently settled.

While his methods of protest have softened over the years, he remains a vocal advocate for liberal democratic values, attracting the ire of the far-Left and far-Right.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graham Linehan has experienced cancel culture firsthand. After building a huge following for his work on the popular TV shows "Father Ted," "Black Books," and "The IT Crowd", Graham became concerned about unscientific gender ideology, including self-identification, males competing against females in women's sports leagues, and experimental gender medicine, including puberty blockers. Since speaking publicly about his concerns, he as faced severe personal and career repercussions. Graham is in Australia as part of his book tour with the Free Speech Union of Australia.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Zoe Booth and Freya India discuss the trend of opening up about mental health online, particularly among women. They explore the influence of mental health companies and the glamorization of mental health struggles on social media. They also discuss the risks of sharing personal information online and the pressure to document and share every aspect of life. The conversation touches on the fear of missing out (FOMO), the impact of social media on relationships, and the shift in perspective on social justice ideology. They conclude by highlighting the importance of personal responsibility and critiquing the patronizing marketing of mental health products. The conversation explores the idea of constant reassurance and intervention for women's mental health, the importance of resilience and risk-taking, the need to think less about oneself, and the value of getting out of one's own head. It also discusses the shift from victim mentality to victor mentality, the concept of Amazonian feminism, the double standard of strength and vulnerability, the power of discipline and responsibility, and the emptiness of empty cliches.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Claire and I discuss the concept of confected radicalism, which refers to young activists who seek out radical causes despite the success of past movements.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Ashkenazi Jews indigenous to the Middle East? Is Palestinian a distinct ethnicity, different to other Arabs? Why do some races have bigger noses or eyes or butts or boobs? Are some ethnicities more homogenous than others? Is inbreeding actually terrible for your genetics or can it make them stronger?

All that and more in this episode of the Quillette Cetera podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dara Macdonald, a lawyer and director of the Free Speech Union in Australia, discusses the need for a free speech union in the country and shares examples of free speech issues. She explains the support provided by the union and the Australian flavour it brings to the cause. Dara also talks about her background and interest in free speech, the Andrew Bolt Section 18C case, the importance of drawing the line between actions and speech, and the challenges of immigration and cultural values. She concludes by discussing the Great Misinformation Panic and the opposition to the draft law.

This was recorded 13 October 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Read Dara's work in Quillette here: https://quillette.com/author/daramacdonald/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzoeuBhDqARIsAMdH14EVdHI5KK7AOI3kJSn6VRDbnKPmmsXZnWvc2EWJ7zcCkVvwEdQHssAaAihbEALw_wcB

Visit the FSU Australia website here: https://freespeechunion.au/quillette

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zoe speaks with the British-Palestinian writer, data scientist and peace-activist John Aziz about his viral Atlantic piece, how he came to support Zionism, and how Palestinians have a responsibility in achieving peace.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oliver Traldi is a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions in the Department of Politics at Princeton University.

In this episode we discuss Oliver's latest piece for Quillette, a review of the latest book by Costin Alamariu, a polarising author and influencer who enjoys a cult-like following under the pseudonym Bronze Age Pervert.

Tune in for commentary on Nietzsche, Strauss, bodybuilding, feminism and the "New Right".

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Limbrick is a Libertarian Member of Parliament in Victoria's upper house. He has been a Quillette reader since its inception in 2015 and came along to our Quillette Social in Melbourne in September 2023.

Zoe asks David about the work he's done in pushing for a "watchful waiting" approach to treating children with gender-dysphoria in Victoria, his attendance at the Let Women Speak rally, the decriminalisation of marijuana, nuclear power, and the recent election of Javier Milei.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quillette contributor and author of Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews, David Bernstein, joins Zoe to discuss the ways antisemitism manifests on the Left and Right, and to explore how universities should promote free speech on campus.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices