Podpower Episode AtlasIn this episode, Ben Shapiro reacts to a series of TikTok videos that he categorizes as 'woke.' He begins by mocking the concept of 'qprosexual' identity, arguing that the proliferation of new sexual minorities stems from a societal desire to be victimized. Shapiro then critiques a TikToker blaming Texas Governor Abbott for a hypothetical COVID-19 spike after lifting mask mandates, highlighting what he perceives as the left's 'pagan' view of nature's wrath.
The episode continues with Shapiro lampooning neopronouns, particularly 'zaz' and 'be/them/theirs,' asserting that they confuse language and convey less information. He expresses concern over a mother's approach to raising her 'white male' son, interpreting it as an attempt to indoctrinate him against his natural inclinations. Shapiro also tackles the debate around inclusive language for intersex individuals, suggesting that the drive for hyper-specific terminology becomes overly complex and dismisses objective biological realities.
He concludes by ridiculing a TikToker's objection to the word 'hottest' for implying competition, which Shapiro argues is a fundamental aspect of life. Throughout the episode, Shapiro uses these TikToks as a springboard to criticize what he views as the illogical, self-obsessed, and divisive nature of contemporary progressive discourse, ultimately advising against using TikTok altogether due to its perceived role as a propaganda tool and a platform for self-absorbed content.
Shapiro posits that American society has created two primary categories: the victimized and the victimizers. He argues that everyone now wants to be in the victimized category to avoid being labeled a victimizer.
Why careThis concept explains why, in Shapiro's view, people are incentivized to create new minority identities, even if they seem overly specific or contrived.
These are newly created pronouns, such as 'zaz' or 'be/them/theirs,' designed to be custom and unique to an individual when traditional pronouns don't 'fit.' Shapiro views them as confusing and counterproductive to clear communication.
Why careThe discussion on neopronouns highlights a tension between individual self-expression and the universality and clarity of language.
The idea that identity, particularly gender and sexuality, is not fixed but can change over time and be declared by the individual without external verification.
Why careShapiro challenges this concept, arguing it leads to a lack of objective standards and an endless creation of new categories.
A proposed approach to inclusive language that focuses on biological function (e.g., 'people who can get pregnant') rather than traditional gender terms (e.g., 'men' or 'women') to include intersex individuals.
Why careThis concept reveals the complexities and debates surrounding how to use language inclusively without losing precision or creating new issues.
Shapiro asserts that competition, particularly for mates, is a fundamental and unavoidable aspect of life, rooted in social science and evolutionary biology.
Why careThis idea is presented as a counter-argument to the notion that competitive language or concepts should be avoided, suggesting that denying competition is unrealistic.
"How hard do we have to work to come up with sexual minorities now, right? We have such a viciously intolerant, brutal, sexist, heteronormative, sex patriarchal society, we have alienated so many people that they have to work so hard to come up with being a member of a sexual minority."
"It's funny how the left will always talk about the wrath of God when all they really mean is the sort of pagan concept in which nature punishes you for not being left-wing enough."
"All of this is designed to confuse, all of this is designed to convey less information because as it turns out, there is no person who is male, female, and also plural."
"Her set of values suggest that her son being white and male is naturally inclined toward being a terrible, horrible person and so she must indoctrinate him to believe that males and females are completely fluid categories and also that white males naturally are going to be rapey."
"I think the only thing that we can take away from this particular video is that no one should ever use TikTok for any reason. Not only is it a Chinese propaganda tool gathering all your data, but also it's filled with self-obsessed people who believe that what they have to say is very important no matter how stupid or minut or ridiculous."