Should We Cancel Cancel Culture? My Most Controversial Opinions | 350K Q&A 

I nearly fell off my chair when I heard my name mentioned in this video! You are far too kind sir! Many thanks for yet another shout out. And might I say that the same goes for me too. The best criticisms of my own beliefs, and stimulus for thought, have come from conversations with you and other friends at Oxford just this past year. Just one small point of clarification is that I’m not doing a PhD this year, but hoping to in the near future. Thanks again!

Feedback for Alex: I would like to see more Q&A. Hands up if you do, too.

"To be dead is like being stupid, its only painful for others" Ricky Gervais

"If you have a child, you determine when that child is awake and sleeping..." You wish :D

The new lights have taken the ambiance to another level

He has grown a moustache.... our boy is growing up physically...( Mentally he is way older than lot of us)

Concerning the "Most Controversial Opinions": The reason why you get negative comments is probably that your channel started as a channel on (anti)religion and therefore the audiences are often atheists. If you would have started as a vegan channel and then at one point start making videos on atheism, you would have probably also got angry comments from religious vegans. Now you get the angry comments from Bacon loving atheists.

On the ethics of pet ownership: I watch a lot of Cat-RU-vid and the Korean channels always call themselves "butler" instead of "owner" and I think that's very endearing.

Btw, yes I really like this kind of video

Alex is so humble despite his enormous intellect. That is so rare these days.

Dogs are owned, cats own you.

Having someone like you discussing veganism and spreading this message is a blessing. I thank the universe every day for what you do.

Another vegan here- over 20 years. Yeah, people get SO MAD! Food is incredibly sacred and personal to people. Good for you though. I'm grateful you're out there speaking on these topics so well.

22:00 Actually harsh punishments (including capital punishment) do very little in reducing crime (best exemplified by the US). The main reasons being that when someone commits a crime they either don't think about the consequences or they just assume that they can get away with it. Who would commit a crime if they thought they were going to be caught? Edit: I should really start finish watching videos before commenting

Feels amazing to have such a well versed, well spoken and highly logical/critical thinking person like Alex defending animal rights and veganism

Cowspiracy turned me vegan in one day. In context I grew up on a sheep and cattle farm in NZ

I’m a Christian by all standards of the word Christian but I like Alex and the content he creates. Iv been following him for about 2 years and It’s always a pleasure to listen to him even when I disagree with him.

13:20 was a vegetarian my whole life because my family was religious. Have tasted meat before and all it tastes like is rubber to me. I dont deny the experience of people who say it tastes amazing, thats how i felt about milk and cheese. But now that ive been a vegan for about 2 years, and my association that Alex talks about between the "food" and the source is so strong that it no longer tempts me. The familiarity of the taste and the flavours no longer smell or look edible to me. It comes with a lot of practice and emotions play a huge role in this. I identify with any revolution against injustice that fundamentally denies basic respect and rights, so that sense of justice is too deeply ingrained in me to see anything as tempting anymore. I'm not a violent person for the sake of my cause, i dont think most things justify violence, even for the sake of a necessary revolution. But i urge you to consider these two points: 1. Make that association of product to the source much stronger every time you see it. 2. Try to Identify with the need for the cause. Putting yourself in the other individual's shoes helps achieve this. We dont fight because we want to change the world. We fight because we dont want the world to change us.

I'm pretty sure there are two cats that own me.

Vegan book by CosmicSkeptic???? Hell yes!!!

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a "Q&A video" like I did this one. The video about death sounds so interesting, can't wait!

I enjoy your content. Seeing another young person express opinions so well is quite nice. Much appreciation from South Africa👍🏾

You're a really great speaker. The video is on point too, sound camera lights etc. It's soothing.

Holy cow, the new camera/ light stuff is WORKING. The setup looks professional as now

I’m around 10 years your senior, yet I am continuously inspired by your intellect to think more deeply and critically. Love these Q&A’s. Sometimes just hearing a couple minutes about how you challenge an abortion argument on Twitter can give me much to contemplate. Thanks for sharing your mind with us.

Year 5- still haven't heard a single good ethical argument against veganism

Yes! Please continue to make these type of videos, with so many topics I find myself paying more attention than normal. Thanks for all you do , we appreciate you bro

Yes I love Q & A, keep em coming! It seems (to me) like a relatively easy video to make, rather than a larger scale production of something, but just as valuable to the viewers.

Most definitely!! Congrats on the 365k !! Well done you!! 👊😇

It's amazing that you have become such a great animal advocate. I loved you're speech in Tel Aviv! Your are a talented speaker and I admire your drive and ambition. You will definitely make a difference for animals. Keep up the awesome work. I love the idea of the vegan manifesto. Much love, Else (also animal rights activist)

Thank you for all that you do for the animals. The value you add is tremendous. On another note, thank you Gary Yourofsky for bringing my attention to veganism six years ago.

Wow! Just found your channel, and as a vegan-since-birth I must say I really appreciate your content and can 100% relate to your point at the beginning of this video and how people always seem to take issue with the "tactics" of vegans, rather than the moral and logical arguments for animal rights. I have been accused so many times of being too "pushy" of a vegan, and when I have asked these folks how they think it would be okay or better for me to talk about veganism, it almost always comes out that they just don't want me to make them feel guilty with my arguments, and it doesn't matter how "nicely" I talk about veganism, but talking about animal exploitation is fundamentally uncomfortable for them. Anyway, THANK YOU so much for addressing this issue and speaking about it so eloquently!

I feel like it's become even nicer to listen to your explanations, I appreciate your sensitivity. You take arguments seriously where others might sneer at or dismiss them. I also like how you refuse to denounce nuanced views in the face of heavy criticism, like with the abortion tweet.

I wonder whether cancel culture is always truly effective (though this depends on the goal), as I imagine some people may be scared into silence/making an apology rather than apologising and changing as a result of a genuine change of viewpoint or reasoning. I wonder whether some people only change by sharing their controversial opinions with those who agree/anonymously on darker parts of the Internet/not in public, which could still potentially be damaging in terms of perpetuating harmful ideologies. I also think some may become resentful of the opposing side as a result of the disproportionate response, which could make it even harder to encourage effective discussions and meaningful change.

I loved this video, would love more! Super educational and so nice to just be able to sit down and drink a cup of tea and ‘hang out’

Yeah I think making Q&As on a monthly basis or similar is a good idea, always interested in them

I find the abortion topic is barely talked about because of intense negative reactionaries, but I'd like to look more into it. The only choice advocate I've heard is M. Dillahunty but I'd like to hear from /see more pro-choice advocates.

Everyone knows the best Beatles song is Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey, its just too amazing.

I'm extremely excited to see the new large video Alex.

This is amazing, thank you. ESPECIALLY thank you for the timestamps! I wish more creators did this.

Love the lighting

The severity approach: “if we catch you smoking weed, we’ll do what America does to you”

Yes - please do more of these videos! And many congrats on 350k

Really looking forward to your new video. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and insight.

Alex you are the reason I finally went vegan 6 months ago after many years of free range bullshit vegetarianism, thank you so much! Looking forward to your book, awesome that it's about animal rights!

I’m so happy you spoke about pet ownership, I was ( and still am) conflicted about that and you gave me some really interesting points of reflection.

I love your videos and the ideas you share with your audience. Thank you! I enjoy every one of them so much!

I always enjoy your videos. You are one the most logically consistent thinkers on the platform.

Looking forward to your video on death! Reminds me of the Epicurean line of thought "When we exist, death is not; and when death exists, we are not. All sensation and consciousness ends with death and therefore in death there is neither pleasure nor pain"

I think it would be really interesting if some day you did a debate, interview, or collaboration with Oliver Thorn of Philosophy Tube.

I very much enjoyed this format Alex. Hope to see more in the future

Loved the video I think it works as an efficient method to cover topics that wouldn't warrant a full video or to elaborate on an opinion you may have briefly mentioned in another video or twitter. I'd love to see more :)

Another book recommendation video would be awesome :)

I've always felt uncomfortable about people saying they "own" pets. I'm glad I'm not alone lol

Love the Q&A type videos. Keep them up

I just want to say that I enjoy your channel and the opinions and information you expressed in this video. Please keep up the good work. We need more people like you.

I said to my wife that Alex will be famous one day. That was six months ago. I still haven’t changed my mind.

the part about cancel culture is the clearest argument i have ever heard of, and it is deserving of the video title. there should be another upload of just this part alone though

im one of those people who was watching without subscribing but I only discovered your channel a few days ago and this video reminded me to subscribe and like and click the notification button, I love your videos they have helped me a lot

Thanks for all your input. I enjoy your Q&A’s

I'm so glad you went vegan because your videos on the topic were one of the factors that made me go vegan about 3 months ago after consuming meat/diary for 30 years. I haven't cared to touch any social media for ages but all of the sudden I've become very vocal about animal exploitation on both Facebook and Instagram and several people have already been telling me that they've now started to question their meat/diary consumption for the first time ever based on the information I post... so thank you for your impact on me, Alex. Here in Sweden many people take pride in that we might have the best animal standards and restrictions in the world which sadly leads to people being indifferent to further investigation and blinded by the "Meat from Sweden" marking on the packaging when, in reality, animals suffers horribly here as well, of course. Even though veganism is more common here than in some other places (comparatively), the issue of the false glorified image of our animal treatment makes it just a bit more tricky to convince some people as that is their go-to argument. Let's keep fighting the good fight though. Thanks again!

13:10 thanks for saying this it'll really help me change to a vegan diet

Holy shit it’s been months since I’ve watched one of your videos because they haven’t been recommended, but your camera is so crisp now!

I love this channel, I can’t wait till it hits a million subscribers

Hi Alex! I've been watching your videos for a couple of years now, and after having started my degree in Philosophy and Psychology, I've wondered whether you might begin to talk about some topics less related to ethics. Although I've certainly enjoyed your "hot takes" and the videos in which you "correct" people who's stances are different than yours, I can't help but wonder what your opinions might be in relation to certain topics which are talked about more in the academic world instead of things to do with everyday life (e..g your stance on the philosophy of mind, the philosophy of art, the nature of being etc.). I certainly cannot wait for your next video, thank you!

Your honestly my favourite RU-vidr your so admirable your really so honest and your everything I aspire to be.Well done.

The Q&A show is very enjoyable. I learn more with this type of video.

Nice video as always, keep fighting the good logical & ethical fights Cosmic.🌱🧠🧭

17:35 one little thing I´d like to mention since you were talking about the language we use when it comes to pet "ownership" is that you referred to the animal as "it" which is just something I catch myself saying as well sometimes but I think we should try to avoid that since an animal isn´t an "it" They are sentient beings

For the person who asked for motivation and that they like the taste a lot, you might want to consider that meat is mostly just texture. The flesh is seasoned with herbs and plants, so that is what is giving it majority of taste. The texture can be replicated in today’s world and is being replicated. I’ve had non dairy products that taste EXACTLY like actual dairy. It’s all about finding the right brands and experimenting for a while. For me, watching slaughterhouse and dairy farm footage was enough motivation, and guilt ultimately drove me to go vegan!

Looking forward to the result you're putting on to the new project!

Really enjoy Q&A❤️💕💕.. Love your vibeee

Well said on cancel culture - but also: who's deciding any of this? - no one person - it's a sensation that takes a lot more to effect

The vegan thing isn't just about taste though. It's also about nutrition. And this is coming from someone trying to go vegan. There's a lot more to it than just taste. You also jumped straight into something I agree with you about which is that death isn't bad for the person that dies. How do you reconcile this with ethically raised and killed animals?

I absolutely enjoy these Q/A videos. Please do more, if you've got the time.

28:10 April 14/2023: 517k. Not too bad. Discovered your channel about a month ago, and I love it. Cheers from Vancouver, BC.

Thank you so much for your stance on Animal rights It really makes a difference

Really rate the Q&A format. Another thing about cancel culture - it's all well and good to hold people accountable for things that are wrong, but so often, it is questionable whether the thing someone is cancelled for is actually 'wrong', or in other words, some might deem it to be wrong but others won't. In my view, problems tend to start when people view subjectively wrong things as objectively wrong

Like your Q&A videos! :) Would like to see more. Watching from Germany.

I would love to see these monthly :D

People, in general, eat meat. They know the animals are treated horribly and they are contributing to that suffering by purchasing meat for consumption. I think that is why they don't want to hear veganism is good, because they know it is morally and ethically good, but, they eat meat and don't want to look in that mirror you create by pointing out the perspective of the animals they are causing to suffer needlessly for their enjoyment.

Dear Alex, a few honest questions: 1- Your endeavour to address the problem of death, considering that death is not bad for the deceased, wont it go against your vegan belief? During a lifetime of a cow for instance, it is not obvious that to live in the wild would will bring a less suffering or risk then being fed and protected against predators and disease for years till became food. Much of human suffering are connected with the psicological ability to think in abstract terms about time and space, thats why we feel bad about having a terminal disease (more bad than the organic pain itself). It is not evident that animals are aware of loosing some long term plans for life. If death is not bad for the deceased and to "total amount" of suffering and risky situations in the wild life is probably several times bigger than to be fed for life until became food, what is precisely the unnecessary suffering you would avoid from being vegan? 2- Rights are a human creation, it is necessary to have abstract reasoning and the ability to stablish a contract and be capable to enforce the codes (law). Of course animal rights are rights that we organize for them, they dont know and dont care (cannot communicate in a systematic abstract way). If we forbid people to eat meat, how should we address the right of property for the animals? All of the livestock live in private properties and the owners cannot afford to the expanses of keeping than alive, vaccinated, healthy and protected agains natural predators, besides they will need the land to produce a gigantic amount of non-meat food. It is obvious that we cannot force the producers to keep spending hundreds of billions of dollars in order to get zero revenue. Where are we going to send the livestock? There is no much of a wild environment available to receive them and if it was possible to give them a wildlife, a gigantic ecological unbalance would take place with so many food to a very few natural predators. In a few years we would have to deal with overpopulation of wolves, felines, crocodiles etc. 3- Just in case that you answer that they will produce food from the livestock they have already and not grow more animals, how is that a good thing for their species? We are almost 8 billion because we succeed in the natural gene struggle to get spread and perpetuated, we are 8 billion because we can produce energy to sustain this population. We are not the winners, probably bacteria and other microorganism do better than us on that measure of species success. The genuine doom for any species is to reach extinction, no doubt about that, why are you so sure that your vegan call is good for the species you want to protect and set free? Would we humans also be responsible to avoid their extinction?

Thanks Alex. I do enjoy these Q&A videos and responses to posts or videos

Loved this Q&A, hope you continue them!!

The problem is police get away with killing suspects way too often.

When it comes to animal rights, keep up the good work ! You’re not alone, there are many who agree with you.

I can second that pinned speech video as one of your best. Can't say that it convinced me itself, but it definitely tipped me over the edge (after spending some time reviewing my views on becoming Vegan until that point)

Really liked the Q n A style 🤟

I've been thinking of this cancel culture thing for a while and I've increasingly become against it.

I enjoyed this Q&A but I disagree with your veiw on cancel culture, the main thing I disliked in the video was your comparison to it being like dropping a bomb . I think the punishment isn't too severe that's all. Love your video's btw and congrats on 350k subscriber's.

The first channel who actually links the things they promise in the description. Thank You !

This was really cool, would love to see more of this.

I know that this is an older video, and no one will read this, but I just wanted to get out my thoughts on cancel culture. My problem with it is that the term has become so ubiquitous, that it's essentially meaningless. Cancel culture is defined so broadly, people claim that it applies to so many situations, that actually forming an opinion on it just seems fruitless. Some people define it as you have here; someone is "cancelled" when old comments or views of theirs are later discovered, and then the whole weight of the world (or, at least, Twitter) is brought down on them, and their life is ruined. The problem with this view is that cancel culture is essentially defined as an inherently bad thing. There cannot be a just action under cancel culture, as that would be proportionate, and thus no longer fall under cancel culture. The opposing view is the broad version, which I see mainly coming from conservatives online and in the media. They often cry "Cancel Culture!" any time anyone is criticized for anything, or even any time something changes or is replaced (see Mr. Potato Head or Dr. Seuss). There is a Twitter account called something like "Time since Jschlatt has been cancelled". If cancel culture has any meaning or limitations on its definition, he has definitely not been "cancelled". He's still doing fine; nothing has really changed for him. Or, the definition of cancel culture lies somewhere between these two extremes. At this point, however, where we draw the line is completely personal and arbitrary. When people disagree on if cancel culture is good or not, it's likely that they are working with different definitions. They aren't really arguing about the same thing; they're just yelling at each other. Cancel culture has become a meaningless buzzword. It has ceased to actually refer to any sort of trend. I hope that came across clearly. I spent way too long writing this. As an appendix, I want to say that I don't really know anything about Schlatt or the situation, and I don't care to. It's just an example. If learning more would change the argument, then I concede. Anyway, great video!

6:50 The explanation is simple. When you talk about atheism, religion, philosophy, etc. you point out the flaws in someone's reasoning. Your average viewer likes your content because he or she shares your opinion and you point the finger at someone else. But when you talk about veganism all the sudden you point the finger at them and the flaws in their reasoning and ethics.

Love the new setup! Really clean vibe

Wow, the last time i watched one of your videos you had like 40k subs Great to see your channel grow so large :D

I don't think I own my cat, if anything, my cat owns me

If we want a somewhat stable society, we need a platform for extreme opinion to "discharge".

the lighting looks great!!

Love this q&a vids. Keep them coming!