I like this, although I think it's important to point out that a lot of what Fry proclaims as human decency and patient speaking of truth to power is what other people mislabel as "political correctness", or decry as polarizing tribalism, because they assume it's some sort of zero-sum game where affirming a different way of being somehow diminishes traditional or accepted ways of being.

I'd define political correctness is the control of speech and the redefinition of legitimate debate or disagreement as offensive and hateful otherizing. It is shaming of dissent based on something other than empirically defined harms, often, simply on someone's willingness to be offended.

I am pretty liberal, and have no issue at all with homosexuality for example, but at this point still have some doubts about gender fluidity and gender reassignment, particularly for young children. Real political correctness would attempt to shame me or shut me down for simply asking questions or having reservations and not automatically accepting these concepts as valid societal norms that ought to be uncritically embraced. Real egalitarian sentiment would and should shut me down for attempting to control the personal decisions of others, or spreading hateful stereotypes of others for simply being different -- but would not assume I'm hateful or ignorant for having reservations or doubts and wanting to be part of the discussion of how society should deal with them.

I think that's the distinction. Real political correctness is a form of gaslighting that assumes the worst impulses behind any sort of disagreement or concern about how society defines morality and allocates resources, and shuts down opponents by demonizing them and their motives. Social justice on the other hand is making arguments based on human rights, actual [in]justice, and quantifiable benefits and harms, and does not have taboos about what is discussable.

thank you - loved it! (already loved him )

Stephen at his best, arguing for common decency.

I agree absolutely with everything he said, and in fact have used almost identical words and arguments myself. Good post, I hope others agree with this....political correctness is sometimes hindering the very thing it is trying to progress! He is right when he says it is becoming counter productive in some cases, and if it is not effective then it is exactly that!

he IS brilliant, and heartful. i agree with him. i have explored the problem of pc myself and i hope you will forgive me if i link to my writing on the subject; also pardon me if the page, which needs a little work, doesn't display as well as it might. meanwhile i will say here that pc has its place, but not the place most folks assume it does. pc is for folks who legitimately don't know it's not okay to hurt (i said hurt, not offend) others. these people need to be told not to call names and speak thoughtlessly. for everyone else, pc is not necessary; a simple reminder to be mindful that other people actually exist and have thoughts and feelings will suffice. okay here is what i wrote some years ago:

[sh1.webring.com]

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