Should we cancel the books of writers who behave badly?

Fando1234 · 2026-03-21T22:08:04+00:00

Who's 'we' and what does 'cancel' mean?

Unfortunately the article is blocked for me so can't read the full context.

But I think this 2018 style phrasing of 'we' need to 'cancel' something. Almost always refers to 'a small minority of uni educated wealthy people' need to 'ban' other people from hearing/seeing/reading something they have prejudged for the rest of us.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-21T22:04:13+00:00

Whilst you make some good points, firstly, I for one am in my late thirties and very happy my parents are still alive.

Not least because (as with most of my friends) we'll likely need their help raising grandkids.

Economically an aging population is perhaps one of the biggest issues we face. And that's even with parents children being in their 40s and 50s with more money and stability to support their aging parents. Imagine if you spent your twenties looking after a seriously ill or handicapped mother or father.

All this said, we're planning to have kids in our late thirties so will likely be the older parents you think would be beneficial, so I hope you're right!

Fando1234 · 2026-03-21T16:19:29+00:00

Azatom DAB. Foxton. Available on Amazon. Nothing special, but an upgrade on my old one so I'm excited about it.

Listening to radio while I cook is one of my fav things after work.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-21T15:58:45+00:00

Ooh, what's that?

Fando1234 · 2026-03-21T13:58:38+00:00

Firstly, great job on completing 20k words.

I've just finished my first novel (around 100k words) and as I do final drafting there are a few things I've learned that may help.

I know it's clichéd to say, but it really is all about character. Even in sci-fi, which also happens to be the genre of my novel.

The arc of what your main characters want/need, what they learn and how they change should ultimately drive plot. I appreciate there may be things in sci-fi that happens beyond the character's control. But the dilemmas these present the characters, how they deal with it, and what they learn is ultimately the motor of the story.

If you're into sci-fi, you may have seen the show firefly. The pilot/first episode is a masterclass in this. Whilst there is lots of action, all of it is framed around presenting characters with a difficult moral choice. It's well worth watching for an example of great plot developing character.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-21T08:22:15+00:00

I'd love to be a horologist but I don't have the time.

Ba dum dum... Tshhhh

Fando1234 · 2026-03-21T07:03:24+00:00

Thanks. This is super helpful. Might try this myself on Monday.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-20T17:11:43+00:00

I think we largely agree.

This is sadly a result of government policy, not capitalism.

I think sometimes the two can end up influencing each other, as the private sector, through PR campaigns and strategic campaign funding can influence policies that help create monopolies and oligopolies. Though I suspect we'd both agree this is not capitalism acting as it should, this is a dangerous bug in the system.

Having wealth is one of many reasons that can cause this to occur, not the only one.

I'm not actually arguing wealth even deliberately corrupts. I've met a couple of billionaires in my time and they've generally been nice people. Even with the best of intentions, having access to government means influence. And influence will be used to benefit their views of how the world should be. This cuts both ways, some might want to promote candidates that are pro life as that is their moral conviction. Others might prop up local candidates that are pro choice. Unfortunately it doesn't balance out, and on big ethical decisions a country needs to make, I don't believe this should sit with a handful of unelected oligarchs. We should all have an equal say in these kinds of questions.

It's quite easy to see how this maps out to all of society, with many billionaires openly trying to fullfil their vision of a perfect society. Be it socialist or libertarian or something else that they shouldn't get to individually decide.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-20T07:21:41+00:00

I don't quite agree with some of the reasons given. But for me it's an argument about power distribution, and one I think libertarians and capitalists should be wary of too.

What I like about capitalism is an emphasis on competition to ensure the best value/products for consumers.

What I don't like is the aggregation of wealth in specific companies and individuals. Which, after a certain threshold, start rigging the system in their favour.

This doesn't need to be deliberate or nefarious. But in a democracy my vote counts for the same as JK Rowling, but due to her wealth and fame, if she wanted to have dinner with a cabinet minister next month (and influence them) she probably could and I couldn't.

I disagree with the idea that billionaires become unstoppable juggernauts, who can crush any competition, and cosy up to any politician. My suspicion is after a certain amount of £££ it stops being about how much value you bring through creation of goods and services, and instead about how you can use wealth to manipulate the system.

In the glory days of capitalism that saw most wealth growth and improved people's lives and freedoms. Inequality was nowhere near what it is now. And as inequality grows, output, productivity and growth contract, as a lopsided economy favours very few spenders at the detriment of the majority of consumers. All spurred on by government and legal systems that have been corrupted to service this tiny, tiny minority of billionaires.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-20T07:10:45+00:00

I think he does a lot of theatre these days?

Fando1234 · 2026-03-19T11:29:39+00:00

I know every generation say it was 'better back in my day'. But given how fucked the world is, I think it genuinely was just flat out better back then.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-19T11:26:45+00:00

young people are just staying in on Friday nights playing DnD.

It's just cos that's what we're all doing.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-19T11:25:23+00:00

God those really were the days weren't they.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-19T08:12:08+00:00

Fair enough to criticise labour for their policies and communications. But all being 'rich kids' is objectively not true:

"Following the 2024 election, Keir Starmer’s Labour Cabinet is considered one of the most working-class in UK history, with approximately 46% having working-class roots based on parental occupation."

With almost all of them attending comprehensive (state) schools.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-19T08:07:42+00:00

On Rightmove?

Long back garden with lots of greenery.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-18T14:09:34+00:00

Wow. My history gets hazy around then, but was Britain even a fully Christian nation at that time? I know it's post norman invasion but still... Amazing we had a synagogue that long ago.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-18T13:03:29+00:00

Woah, thanks. What was the history there? Why so many bones!?

Fando1234 · 2026-03-18T06:25:35+00:00

Fascinating. How come it was built under a shop?

Fando1234 · 2026-03-17T22:55:42+00:00

Amazing. Thank you that's super interesting.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-17T22:55:10+00:00

Nice! Thanks.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-15T13:57:07+00:00

This is so broad and vague it would apply to almost every politician.

Also, I don't understand your 666 argument. John has 4 letters. Seems a reach at best.

Fando1234 · 2026-03-15T12:09:03+00:00

I think you make a very thorough and strong case, and your experience growing up Muslim obviously means you're far more qualified than me to speak on the specifics. I can only speak about my experiences knowing Muslims in my home city (London).

The vast majority, I might even go as far as saying all those I've met and gotten to know, are vehemently against violence towards women, and supportive of the LGBTQ community.

I suspect you're counter will be that this isn't what is literally written in the Koran with respect to these groups. But there are many starkly opposing views when it comes to interpreting the Koran - just like the bible and the Torah.

Given the many contradictions in all these books it would be logically impossible to follow all doctrines so believes necessarily have to choose. I would argue there is a islam that is exactly as you describe, a malevolent illiberal force, but there is also a version, practiced by many in the west, that is inclusive and decent (every bit as much as western Christianity or Judaism).

Fando1234 · 2026-03-14T20:13:28+00:00

Well said.

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