If I was a popular comedy writer with a public profile and many fans
but also felt strongly about a divisive issue that was at the point of convergence of people who felt as if they were personally under attack AND a lot of really fucking unsavory people... I'd hold back from rolling up my sleeves for a massive twitter spat.
I really would.
If I really felt that womens' rights were under attack from the trans lobbby (which I don't, for the record - but I can't be arsed getting into it herre) then I'd probably think about how I could use my profile to support that cause in such a way that I could reasonably make my point while not destroying my own career and public profile. Go on podcasts, youtube channels, do a standup routine... whatever. I'd engage with people who disagree with me on a forum where I could maybe have a positive impact on behalf of the people I feel are in need of support. If I thought I was doing more harm than good I'd stop, and that's where I can't understand Linehan's position.
I don't think it's his opinions so much as his attacking people online while being incredibly sensitive himself that I find so mad. If you're not able to take the punches don't throw yourself into a massive fight. And if the fight itself is so unedifying it debases all the people and issues involved in it then why fucking do it?
Honestly, I find the whole social media online pile-on thing utterly perplexing whatever side people are on. I can't wait for twitter to implode. I've seen some jaw-dropping stuff on other platforms - especially in newspaper comment sections - but it doesn't seem to become newsworthy in the same way.
I don't know. He seems utterly fucked up but I can't seem to feel much pity for him since he really wanted it.
(
garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Thu 1 Feb 2024, 12:28,
Reply)
i'm not arguing that most sensible people wouldn't have seen it coming, he's obviously not sensible (or motivated by self-interest)
just that being unable to handle people disagreeing with them, overreacting to abuse, being intransigent and argumentative, they're all pretty common human failings. that's why there's so many trolls.
I don't know why people get such bees in their bonnet, as if their shit doesn't stink. There aren't many couples that havent had a shouty argument and that's IRL, people a much worse online.
But he's a great writer who cant get work because nobody wants to touch a project with someone who's had an opinion thats seen to be on the wrong side of the trans debate. Woody allen finds more collaborators, and he was a suspected kiddy fiddler, not a bloke getting a bit reactionary as he gets older. If Lineham was against boat people or right to buy, it wouldn't have nearly as big an impact on his career. there's something a bit cultural revolution about the trans debate, you're with us or against us.
(
cumquat may will not be commenting further on the allegations, Fri 2 Feb 2024, 3:37,
Reply)
Dave Chapelle and Ricky Gervais
get thrown load of money and sell out arenas despite being on the same side as him.
And he was working on the musical well after he'd become a full-time monomaniac. I suspect publicly attacking Arthur Mathews and Neil Hannon for not wanting to talk about trans issues, and continuing to tweet 18 hours a day when supposed to be working on a West End musical was the bigger problem. You'd soon be sacked for that in any job.
Anyway, he's moved on to the Palestine debate now (backing Israel 100%). That will go well.
(
monkeon schmonkeon, Fri 2 Feb 2024, 11:52,
Reply)
has he? fuck
I really should be more informed before I start defending him. I try to stay away from twitter. the first I heard about him being in the shit was a podcast of him talking about his experiences, but he likely painted a much more reasonable picture of himself and position as we tend to do
(
cumquat may will not be commenting further on the allegations, Fri 2 Feb 2024, 13:37,
Reply)