Talks to Watch

Stewart Lee - Political Correctness

167K views · Oct 16, 2016 · 9:14 · 1 HN recommender · 6 mentions · discussed 2020–2025

A stand-up routine by Stewart Lee on political correctness, offering a satirical defense of inclusive language.

Why Hacker News points people here: HN quotes and links it as a witty take on political correctness in culture-war and language threads.

“I'm down with Stewart Lee's take on political correctness”HN comment, 2020

What Hacker News said 6

RecommendsgedenFeb 2020

“I'm down with Stewart Lee's take on political correctness”

Stewart Lee's comedic take on political correctness.

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I'm down with Stewart Lee's take on political correctness this video (warning, contains British Humour) I think the error in your argument here is to always reduce the application of political correctness down to flawed individuals. If there is consensus at a societal level that certain hateful speech should be prevented for the general good of society, (and there is) then enforcing that makes sense. We've evolved past bear baiting and public flogging (in most parts of the world), we can evolve past racism, sexism and other limiting behaviours.

in “How knitters got knotted in a purity spiral” · view on HN
Cites itpseudalopexJul 2020

Source of a Stewart Lee quote defending inclusive language.

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Stewart Lee: "What is political correctness? It's an often clumsy negotiation towards a kind of formally inclusive language. And there's all sorts of problems with it. But it's better than what we had before."[1] [1] this video

in “Twitter engineers replacing racially loaded tech terms like 'master,' 'slave'” · view on HN
Cites itApocryphonJan 2022

Stewart Lee's PC routine as model for a bit on virtue signaling.

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Stewart Lee or someone inspired by him oughta do a bit on virtual signaling similar to his routine on PC: this video

in “The Rise of Performative Work” · view on HN
Cites itAndrewOMartinAug 2022

Source of quoted Stewart Lee line on political correctness.

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Most arguments come strongly down one side or another to the exclusion of any sane discussion. Allow me to quote a quote. From pseudalopex on July 3, 2020. > Stewart Lee: "What is political correctness? It's an often clumsy negotiation towards a kind of formally inclusive language. And there's all sorts of problems with it. But it's better than what we had before."[1] > [1] this video link

in “Why Stephen Fry is arguing against political correctness (2018)” · view on HN
JokejahnuJan 2025
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Indeed all I can think of now is Stewart Lee's bit about "political correctness gone mad" (some strong language and racist words used so maybe not safe for work or around kids) this video

Jokebc569a80a344f9cJul 2025
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That vaguely reminds me of this video only that it's called "woke" now instead of "political correctness".

in “At Least 13 People Died by Suicide Amid U.K. Post Office Scandal, Report Says” · view on HN