Hi all - interesting to read through this thread. I agree with vimothy's diagnosis. What strikes me as extraordinary in terms of how the contemporary 'left' operate is its relentlessly authoritarian nature, its unwilingness to discuss topics of concern to everyone, its division of people into groups who can speak and groups who can, its relentless logic of identity and anti-solidarity (not to mention calling for people to lose their jobs, be punched in the street etc.). Since being denounced by people too cowardly to speak to me in person, losing work etc., after raising questions on the sex/gender issue, I have come to realise just how much the left relies on mantras, bullying, guilt and moralism to keep people in line. It makes no sense to me to say we can't talk to those we disagree with, that they must be socially excluded - we will never understand anything by shunning people, let alone be able to reason our way through various political issues. The contemporary 'left' is not one I recognise.