Thought Crimes with Ani O'Brien

Ani interviews Associate Professor of Philosophy at Melbourne University Dr Holly Lawford-Smith. The chat begins with some discussion of Conversion Therapy legislation and free speech, but the episode is mostly dedicated to 'intersectionality'. What is intersectionality? Why do activists wield it like weapon that more often than not ends up being turned on them? Are we better off focusing on the BIG things we have in common? What do we do when people are paralysed by identity politics and intersectionality and can't see the wood for the trees  - Rotherham Grooming Gangs and Emmett Till.Despite Holly's serious credentials and what can be a heavy topic, this chat is pretty casual and explores ideas that we aren't supposed to explore. Even if feminism isn't your thing, this episode looks at quite widespread challenges across the Culture Wars battleground.Holly is banned from Twitter and Medium but can be found on her website https://hollylawford-smith.org/ and make sure you look out for her book in January 2022.Twitter and Instagram: @aniobrienEmail: thoughtcrimeswithani@gmail.comTheme: Smooth Criminal by 2CELLOS - Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser 

Ani discusses Conversion Therapy and the legislation being proposed in New Zealand. Twitter and Instagram: @aniobrienEmail: thoughtcrimeswithani@gmail.comTheme: Smooth Criminal by 2CELLOS - Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser 

Ani explores if BLM should win the Nobel Peace Prize. They have been nominated by a Norwegian MP for advancing "racial justice". Twitter and Instagram: @aniobrienEmail: thoughtcrimeswithani@gmail.comTheme: Smooth Criminal by 2CELLOS - Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser 

Ani interviews comedy writer, director, former glam rock guitarist, and father of many, Dane Giraud. They discuss the ways identity exists naturally and unnaturally in the arts.  Dane shares his own experiences of "jumping on the waka" enjoying the journey of an unexpected and varied career.Spilling the beans on that blackface incident with Jimi Jackson, Dane shares his thoughts on disingenuous media and the necessity of free speech in creative industries.This interview concludes with a good ol' chat about free speech in general and the effect of censorship on minorities.Dane is no longer on Twitter but can be found on Facebook.Twitter and Instagram: @aniobrienEmail: thoughtcrimeswithani@gmail.comTheme: Smooth Criminal by 2CELLOS - Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser 

Ani interviews ex-journalist Rachel Stewart (@stew_rachel) about free speech, the state of New Zealand media, New Zealand politics, American politics, and how she would "like to see social media go". In her classically outspoken way, Rachel salutes the stupid people, regales Ani with tales of hunting trips with rattlesnake shooting Americans, and concludes that she'll "be dead in a few years anyway".This interview has a bit of everything and is every bit as unpredictable and entertaining as the woman herself.Rachel's Substack: https://rachelstewart.substack.com/Twitter and Instagram: @aniobrienEmail: thoughtcrimeswithani@gmail.comTheme: Smooth Criminal by 2CELLOS - Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser 

Ani talks about the banning of Trump from social media. Do we need to break up the power monopoly of Facebook and Twitter? Should they have the power to censor elected officials?Twitter and Instagram: @aniobrienEmail: thoughtcrimeswithani@gmail.comTheme: Smooth Criminal by 2CELLOS - Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser