Part 8/9:
The Risks of Bending the Knee
Pearce’s quick retreat—his public apology—serves as a warning of how vulnerable individuals are in this social climate. The narrative is clear: it only takes a minor misstep, a contentious word, or a question that challenges orthodoxies, and you risk being branded an outsider or worse. The fear of social media mobs calling you a transphobe, racist, or bigot can lead even well-intentioned individuals to surrender their freedom of expression.