Well, it seems that this stand-up set has inspired quite a bit of outrage and gnashing of teeth. Along with arguments about what kind of comedy should be allowed and what kind of comedy should be cancelled. And whether comedians who "punch down" should be discouraged, or even vilified out of existence. So here's my 2 cents:
When your group has achieved iron-grip control of the Establishment narrative. When almost the entirety of corporate media is falling all over themselves to celebrate you at every possible opportunity. When you have the power (and the hatefully vindictive desire) to banish from social media anyone brave enough to challenge your ever-changing demands...
Then you don't get to accuse people of "punching down" when they make fun of you. They are very clearly punching up. So learn to take a joke. Just like the rest of us have. And spare me the "but it could cause harm/lead to violence" argument. Because I'm old enough to remember when it was the opposite side, the Religious Right, using that same manipulative pretext to censor and cancel people. It was wrong then. And it's wrong now. Have we learned nothing since then?
And I support everybody's right to identify however they wish, without being punished or ostracized for it. I'm a weirdo too. I get it. I know what it feels like to be bullied for being different. But if you're going to start making claims of fact that defy the standards of logic and science that nearly the entire world agreed on until just 5 seconds ago, then don't pretend to be shocked and offended when comedians make fun of those claims. That's what comedians do. That's what comedians have always done. (where ya been?)
Oh, and Gervais is hilarious here, as usual.
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