No excuse for being Russian
Targeting Putin and his supporters makes much sense. But demonising Russian culture more broadly is stupid, not least because it pushes Russians into line with the dictator. [...]
Political correctness
Roll over Beethoven
By adding Ludwig van, Beethoven shall appear a little less genial than he was. He is just another composer. At least he is dead. [...]
Cultural enrichment
While there is a Purity Law for German beer (since you asked, it’s from 1516), there is no such law for culture. [...]
The West in a new cold war with itself
This new Cold War could be decided not by Beijing’s victory but by the West’s suicide. [...]
Don’t mention the ‘r’ word
When legal anti-racism becomes seen as racist, something has gone horribly wrong. [...]
Waking up to woke
We need to ask for facts when the other side only offers emotions. If we do not do that, we will end up with speech codes resembling those of totalitarian regimes. [...]
The open society needs open minds
Let us celebrate the relative civility of our domestic politics and defend robust and constructive debates. [...]
Dissecting the 21st century’s Great Untruths
It had to take an evolutionary psychologist and a lawyer to dissect (some of) the craziness of modern society and polity. Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff’s new book The Coddling of the American Mind is required reading for anyone wishing to understand 21st century politics, not just in the US but globally. [...]
No free speech free zones
Open societies need a free exchange of ideas, however unpleasant and offensive they may be to some. Freedom of speech is empty and meaningless if you may only say what other people like to hear. [...]
The PC empire strikes back
When a society can no longer seriously debate political issues, controversial as they may be, it is not just a blow to freedom of speech. It also undermines a nation's capacity for economic reform. Truths may sometimes be painful and feelings may be hurt, but a society that cannot stand vigorous debate risks becoming stale and stagnant. [...]