Comments on: The ‘Voldemort Effect’ Claims Rufus Hound As Its Victim

By: petesuitcasecircus

petesuitcasecircus — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 19:26:49 +0000

I’ve been heartened by people like Maajid, Sam and Sarah Haider helping the debate forward. Considering how difficult / life-threatening debates are in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia etc, developing a vibrant platform of discussion in the US and Europe seems the best bet.
It is a good point that not talking about the ideology of islamism hinders moderate muslims from debating change and the future. I like the phrase ‘voldemort effect’, it sums it up nicely for me. Well islamism has got a lot to do with religion and Muhammed was the first islamist.
I’ve really enjoyed the podcast Stephen, some great talks, keep up the good work.

By: david james

david james — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:11:38 +0000

PS, I either:

a) Spoke with more high profile people than GS over the last week.
b) Was being sarcastic.

c) Completely cocked up a point on language using language. I meant ‘more low profile’.

By: david james

david james — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:36:44 +0000

Ive had similar, less low profile conversations the last week when using the islamist term.
Sam harris summed it nicely in his latest podcast about having to put up a firewall of caveats before any intelligible conversation can take place.
So much time is wasted agreeing on terms only to reach the conclusion that the person you are conversing with is doxastically closed and emotionally knee jerking at any uncomfortable truth.

By: Stephen Knight

Stephen Knight — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 22:38:19 +0000

Can’t say I’ve looked into it. Should I? What are the benefits?

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 22:31:23 +0000

I love the idea that we should look to entertainers for serious philosophical debates. I’m sure that’ll work great!
Btw Stephen, you considered switching to Disqus for your comments?

By: Alistair Frith (@AlistairFrith)

Alistair Frith (@AlistairFrith) — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 17:58:37 +0000

I have a problem with the term because of this ‘Voldemort Effect’. Since it is not explicit in its meaning, people who have not heard it before (which many in the general public have not since it is not widely used or defined by politicians and the media) will naturally take Islamists to mean ‘people who follow Islam’ rather than fundamentalists or extremists. I just did a straw poll of Wifey and Friend who both assumed it meant Muslims/Islam in general so that’s conclusive proof of my point.

So I don’t think we are helping ourselves when we use it. We should be more explicit, even if it does cost a few more characters on Twitter.