Cancel culture: getting stuck on the discourse rather than looking at the system.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 July 2025 source ↗
The question
When did you last change your mind about something important?Originally asked
Vox, to writers and thinkers, 9 Questions, 2017
The exact question was part of every retrieved Vox 9 Questions installment.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Cancel culture: getting stuck on the discourse rather than looking at the system.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 July 2025 source ↗
I vowed never to marry, but we got married as soon as we could after lockdown. I used to think it was patriarchal but when same-sex marriage became legal, I thought: OK, great, this institution has finally changed.
Six months ago, I decided to move house. I got a skip, cleared everything out and then thought: “Why am I doing this?” So I remained, and I’m glad I did.
Oh, most days. I can watch a political programme and think, “That sounds a really good point.” Then someone will argue the opposite and I’ll think, “Yeah, he’s got a point as well.” I am constantly sitting on a fence.
I always thought I would be a terrible driver because I’m sort of a wafty person, but it turns out I am very good at staying in between the lines. I passed my test last year.
Gender-affirming surgery. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not widely available on the NHS and a lot of it you have to pay for yourself.
Before transitioning, I had a severe eating disorder. The doctor said, “Your body’s shutting down and if you don’t improve your mental and physical wellbeing, you’ll die.” Shortly after that, I started transitioning medically and my eating disorder resolved.
Passionate, loving, driven.
Apart from stuff on social media, an ex-partner telling me I’m unlovable.
Everybody I’ve lost to suicide. When someone dies in that tragic way, you always feel you could have done more.
Victoria Rose, a British surgeon operating on children in Gaza.
Gregory Porter, Rory Stewart, Steve Jobs, David Vélez, Clare Bailey Mosley, Sarah Perry
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