‘The shift was always going to happen. The pendulum eventually returns to the sensible centre’
“This shift was always going to happen, it was just a matter of when. Historically, the pendulum always eventually returns to the sensible centre.”
Anne argued:
“I hope you’re right, Claire. The Great Awokening is the most depressing thing that’s happened in my lifetime.”
Malcolm’s solution:
“We need less welfare and social media protection laws that prop up wasters in society to force malicious people to get a job which will take 8 hours of their day every weekday to prevent them spending time on destructive pursuits.”
Alex said:
“The author forgot to mention the Bud Light debacle, probably the biggest example to date of ‘go woke, go broke’.”
Byron was on board:
“This was a very uplifting article. This particular paragraph spoke compelling truth to me: ‘Yet academia is not reflective of the culture at large. It is insulated from market forces, and not subject to the creative destruction the free market naturally brings. And in the realm of the free market, consumers are having their say.’ They so need to read and think on these words.”
Dave’s desire:
“I can only hope the executives and board at my work place reads this article.”
Amanda asserted:
“Economic pressures may have quite an effect as you say. The need to keep a job or get a promotion would not benefit from social justice initiatives in the workplace or on social media that has an impact on the business. Someone stated that prosperity brings complacency. Declining prosperity seems to be removing complacency quickly.”
Kaye’s theory:
“When there’s no life-threatening event or survival issue, the petty takes over.”
Morty O’Reilly moaned:
“My 19yo son noted that when searching for movies to watch we generally have to go back to pre-2011 to find movies that are uplifting, apolitical and funny.”
Rock Doctor said:
“I’ve heard whispers of a bit of a push back. Hopefully it’s true. It’s not the views that bother me. It’s the censorship, action and threats to anyone who dares to think differently. That’s not a free society.”
Arlys suggested:
“Wokeism is becoming passé in Europe, and even in California. Which leaves our home grown trendoids worried. There is nothing worse than to be found still in last year’s fashion, especially in teal seats, so we await, to see what’s next.”
Hooray, said Helen:
“I hope that this shift, even if only a slight shift, it is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Tony W reckoned:
“(The backlash) may also be contributed to by cancellation of some woke companies. Disney, Budweiser and Gillette have all faced the wrath of people sick of the excesses of woke.”
Raymond dreamed:
“Imagine a world where people were more happy to relax and be tolerant of others, rather that always in a foul mood looking for their next fight.”
Wake up, said Nancy:
“I’ll never forget the grandiosely named ‘Sleeping Giants’ that demanded ludicrous behaviours from corporate Australia and got it from some weak-spined listed companies. It turned out to be one person.
“Australian boardrooms from business to sport, arts and charities need to be cleaned out of the rent-seeking followers who want to be seen as ‘cool’.”
In The Interests Of Australia asserted:
“The facinating thing for me is that educated and smart people holding leadership roles in business, politics and government so readily accepted the orthodoxy of the woke and believed and perhaps still believe that social media rants by the woke reflect realit. Social media rants are the domain of the greatest demonstration of human intolerance and cruelty since the times of the Salem witch hunts!”
Rod said:
“If peak woke equates to peak stupid then no, the woke have plenty more idiocy left in the tank.”
Simon’s explanation:
“My suspicion is that people who have been relying on ‘the vibe’ and their natural inclination not to offend people, have started to think about the arguments being used by the woke progressives and finding that when they put them to the test using common sense, reality, scientific analysis and truth, they are in some cases counter productive to the intent.
“Also I believe that cancel culture has inhibited robust discussions and this has slowed down the awakening of the masses to woke ideology.”
Peter g hailed Space Karen:
“I wonder, how much of this subtle change in cancel culture can be attributed to more open debate on X/Twitter? Paraphrasing Jordan Peterson, if one says something they feel they should apologise for, do it sooner rather than later. If not, ride it out. After two weeks the circus moves on.”
Filthy Phil from French’s Forest:
“Consumers are fighting back against wokeness. They may not be able to publicly protest on social media lest they be attacked by the wokeratti, but they can sure refuse to consume goods and services promoted by woke businesses.”
Frankie was on the fence:
“Claire another brilliant piece but your optimism may be a little misplaced. Any simple analysis of public company annual accounts, AGM presentations and corporate conferences show clearly that Woketopian influences have moved from the radical fringe to deep heart of corporate and public sector life. That some extra extreme examples of Woketopian radical left claims have been batted back by the public doesn’t mean the Woketopian religion is not winning.
“Welcome to woketopia is often demanded of staff before a day’s training from the good book of ESG…. ensuring a great result in the triple double scorecard from the ESG survey. And while most corporate executives don’t really believe in the philosophies of the good book of ESG, they are happily weekday woketopians .. wearing it like a nicely pressed Armani single breasted suit in charcoal or blue to happily go along with the crowd and collect the overly generous STI. Cancelling culture may be a little less obvious but woketopia is as invasive as ever.”
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Greg Sheridan was moved by Cheng Lei’s statement from her third year in a Chinese prison, where she revealed all the things she misses about Australia and that she only gets 10 hours of sunlight a year. Gimiston wondered:
“Why are we allowing a greater inflow of tourists from China? Bar them, use that as a lever against China. Tourism industry suffers? Too bad, we’re over-supplied with tourism providers.”
Chris was cross:
““Should Anthony Albanese really visit Beijing while the Chinese Communist Party holds innocent Australians hostage in this fashion? They brag about barley and wine exports but have nothing to say about the kidnap of an Australian human being.
“Shame on any government who does not put the safety and liberty of all of its citizens first and foremost. Never forget, the next hostage could be you or me.”
John ’51’s idea:
“Couldn’t we offer up Paul Keating in exchange for Cheng Lei?”
Simon said:
“And under the Albo/Bowen energy delusion just about EVERYTHING for our future green dream energy system will come from China. If you think there is no OFF switch in Beijing, you’re not thinking.”
James Naplan’s view:
“The continued detention of Ms Cheng is clearly a stain on Beijing’s style of governorship. But Cheng’s letter also reveals something else: that Paul Keating’s tin ear, myopia and flaming tongue amount to a stain on his former premiership.”
Bill from Brisbane’s wife said:
“The Chinese have hostage diplomacy down to a fine art. Their release of this letter has been permitted only to further pressure the Australian government to bow to the 14 demands that as far as I’m aware have never been withdrawn.
“The dictatorship has still not realised that such actions drive the Australian people to deepen their negative view of China. Any government that is considered to have bowed to such abuse is likely to be given a reckoning at the next election.
“Ms Lei’s letter is truly poignant. I have enormous sympathy for her, her children and mother.
We must stand firm and use the faces of these hostages as symbols of the tyranny we oppose.”
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Henry Ergas wrote that the Indigenous voice to parliament was not the solution to closing the gap. Richard reckoned:
“A good start might be to elevate conversation and especially listening and questioning skills to the top priority for investment.”
Comeonnow had questions:
“So 3300 Indigenous agencies have been responsible for distribution of public funds but the gap is due to governments not listening?”
Frances said:
“Jacinta (Nampijinpa Price) has repeatedly called for a Royal Commission into spending on Aboriginal issues. That would be a start.”
Graham added:
“Thanks Henry for an excellent analysis again which shows the inability of welfare states to cure problems like this along with the loss of personal responsibility.”
Clarry agreed:
“Henry is spot on. In 1967 the referendum gave rise to many unintended consequences. Australians today are more sceptical but we are so multicultural and not homogeneous in thought as we were.
“The biggest difference between then and now is urbanisation has no connections to rural communities. We are now going to apply mores of city elites to those who don’t want anything from the city.”
Stephen said:
“Why don’t we listen to First Nations people for a change?”
Hilda of Doppley Down:
“No Australian who has actually thought it through would vote no. Only those who have taken as gospel the negative undermining of the voice by the no campaign will do so.”
Rhonda in Bowral reckoned:
“Willfully or not, governments often don’t understand human nature. Some people will surmount obstacles, but many will not, refusing to see the long term consequences of a life on welfare.”
Last word to Michael:
“You are a details man, Henry, whereas clearly the Prime Minister is not.”
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Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Claire Lehmann wrote that we might be witnessing the beginning of the end of woke, and a cancelling of cancel culture. Told you so, crowed Karyn: