The Time Of Feelings | Ep. 564

Virtue Signaling

Hollywood's response to political issues often involves virtue signaling, as seen in the reactions of figures like Steve Levitan and Seth MacFarlane. Ben Shapiro highlights how these individuals express dissatisfaction with Fox News, despite their professional ties to Fox Television studios, which are separate entities 1. Levitan plans to leave Fox after his contract ends, while MacFarlane criticizes the network's influence on public discourse.

If you truly believe that you are going to impact the coverage of Fox News by leaving a Fox television studio, it's one of the things that toxifies politics.

--- Ben Shapiro

Shapiro argues that such actions contribute to a toxic political environment where open discussion is stifled by boycotts and public shaming 1.

   

LGBTQ in Film

The representation of LGBTQ characters in films is a contentious topic, with debates over their inclusion and relevance to storylines. Ben Shapiro notes that while some films like "Love, Simon" and "Deadpool 2" have been praised for their representation, others omit LGBTQ characters despite source material suggesting otherwise 2. He criticizes Hollywood's tendency to include LGBTQ references that are later cut, as seen in films like "Black Panther" and "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" 3.

This whole idea that we have to insert social justice messaging into films in the most obvious and clunky possible ways, really stupid.

--- Ben Shapiro

Shapiro argues that such inclusions should be relevant to the plot and character development rather than serving as mere social justice gestures 3.