The Trig interview.

Earlier today I posted “Shock and outrage,” where I wrote about controversial figures including Joey Barton who famously criticised the selection of female football commentators for diversity and inclusion purposes.

I watched the Triggernometry interview with him and I wanted to write about a few points that stood out to me.

Joey came across better in this interview than the one I saw with Piers Morgan. He says that he was underprepared for that interview and didn’t expect other guests to be on there as well. He thought it would be a solo interview and trusted Piers as he is a critic of woke culture also.

I wouldn’t put it past Piers Morgan and other cunning journalists to put guests on the spot when they don’t expect it but regarding the Trig interview, Joey seemed more prepared and relaxed. He does seem to have several ideas going on in his head at the same time so often doesn’t complete his sentences but this isn’t an unusual trait in people. In fact it can show an enthusiastic and passionate nature.

Speaking of which, Joey has been in trouble in the past, he’s spent time in jail and I’m glad the hosts pointed out his provocative nature. I hope rather than merely using this anti woke stance to make himself some money, Joey is in fact utilising his fiery character as someone who is willing to fight for a purpose. Unless he’s tricked people, he does come across as someone who is looking to better himself. He has definitely got his finger on the pulse of all sorts of issues and keeps well informed.

It was good to listen to Joey’s knowledge about football and the mentality of the audience. I found it interesting that a football crowd will be honest and loud, as the stereotype depicts. Even today they will still chant racist insults, so the crowd is still one of the least politically correct environments in society.

I was going to say that the football crowd is misogynistic but I’m not sure if this isn’t the case for any sport. Let’s use tennis as an example.

Joey himself admitted he watches women’s tennis partly because of the female players’ looks and I’ve always been aware of the discourse around female tennis players. So whilst the environment of tennis may appear to be polite and respectful, it may be that underneath the audience are similar to a football crowd. The footie crowd may have shouted infamously at wives of football players to get their tits out (lovely, I know) but tennis has also generated huge interest in statuesque and tanned female players. The crowd just appear to be less openly primal than the football crowd.

The point of diversity and inclusion was also to combat misogyny and old attitudes towards women particularly in male dominated environments. These days though diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) contradicts its good intentions.

This is a big talking point in the interview which brings me onto my final point. A few years ago I too thought people should face consequences for hate speech but these days the term hate speech includes Joey Barton’s comments. Should he be silenced?

If yes then we are on the road to losing freedom of speech.

I recently also thought that people complain about being silenced or cancelled whereas they actually aren’t and in fact gain another career and notoriety. However, I was wrong because they are cut off from mainstream corporations, their name and livelihood is sullied and impacted.   

In itself the principle of cancellation culture is highly flawed.

Where do we draw the line for cancellation?

What happens when regular people are cancelled because we questioned the current politics? In fact police arrest people for doing so via social media.

Isn’t social media supposed to encourage open discourse and therefore freedom of speech?

I agree with Joey and others who say that society is incredibly fragile and I would also add, narcissistic. “Do and say things my way or else you’ll be cut off.” This mirrors cult behaviour that narcissists employ. So then when someone like Joey comes along and stirs up a bit of trouble and does raise valid points, we take offence.

We shouldn’t feel so offended so often!

Then we would be able to listen to people because once we stop hearing them out, then we dehumanise them and isn’t that the opposite of progress?

Isn’t that the opposite of being kind and compassionate; the message that’s often preached?