Inside No. 9, Season 4, Episode #39: Gagging order
This month sees some of the most abhorrent displays of modern fascism I’ve ever seen as we enter a time that threatens to destroy any sense of hope for a peaceful and sustainable future. I wanted to create a mix that shouts in the face of apathy and showcases some of the most powerful voices in music today. The nine pieces of music use voice and caustic sounds to disrupt the listener and demand attention.
We are now witnessing a gradual erosion of fundamental freedoms alongside the emergence of divisive political ideologies that have altered public discourse and our collective understanding of justice. What was once an earnest pursuit of diversity and gender equality has, in some instances, evolved into a landscape dominated by ideological conflict, leaving little room for meaningful dialogue. Even the language we use to discuss these matters has become weaponised, with identity often serving as a political battleground rather than a means of genuine expression. Phrases I thought of using such as “as a father,” “as a feminist,” or “here are my favourite female artists” I meet with scepticism, reflecting a broader cultural shift where discourse is shaped more by performative engagement than by sincere dialogue as well as a disingenuous expression.
This phenomenon of ideological rigidity, where individuals are encouraged to question ingrained biases while simultaneously adhering to strict ideological orthodoxy, has created a paradox. The original intent of advocating for the rights of women and marginalised groups is undermined by a barrage of fascist and fake news. Beyond ideological concerns, there exists a more profound structural dilemma. Capitalism has increasingly contributed to widening inequality, leaving working and middle-class people disillusioned. While society champions the idea of freedom, this freedom often lacks accountability, enabling powerful elites to manipulate public sentiment for their own benefit. As a result, many individuals find themselves engaged in ideological battles that ultimately serve those at the top rather than addressing systemic inequities. We have become the cannon fodder for the super-rich.
This is where the real danger lies: disillusionment fosters misplaced resentment, with frustration directed not at the malevolent institutions and individuals maintaining the status quo, but at vulnerable communities. As societal fragmentation deepens, identity becomes a tool of division rather than solidarity. Individuals retreat into isolated subcultures that provide a sense of belonging while neglecting shared community. Addressing these challenges requires a renewed commitment to both reason and empathy. The decline of rational discourse in favour of sensationalism and ideological dogma has hindered the pursuit of wisdom; something essential for navigating complex societal issues.
“Le féminisme est une aventure collective, pour les femmes, pour les hommes, et pour les autres. Un révolution, bien en marche. Une vision du monde, un choix. Il ne s’agit pas d’opposer les petits avantages des femmes aux petits acquis des hommes mais bien de tout foutre en l’air.” – Virginie Despentes
We must recruit and destroy these warped foundational beliefs that are shaping an ever more aggressive, xenophobic and patriarchal social landscape.
“Nobody has more respect for women than I do. Nobody” – Donald Trump
Red Desert
Puce Mary
The Drought
Pan
2018
Fievre
RONCE
CREVE
Dawn
2023
Nothing Is Opposite To Forever
Nadine Byrne
Dreaming Remembering
iDeal
2018
Practice of Hygiene
Pan Daijing
Lack
PAN
2017
Sweat
Perila
Irer Dent
sferic
2019
Elephant Years
Asha Sheshadri
No Longer A Soundtrack
Anomia
2020
memory is what we make it
christine k.
an empty fiction
Ek Verlag
2024
I’m A Man
Kim Gordon
The Collective
Matador
2024
The Secret Touch
Cosey Fanni Tutti
Time To Tell
Flowmotion
1983
Inside No. 9 is an attempt to share unique narratives through the mixing of 9 songs. Every episode will showcase a new theme, opening up new tributaries of discovery. Inside No. 9 is presented by Peter Taylor, a former features writer for Foxy Digitalis from back in the late 2000s. Peter is a visual artist and musician and has been creating music as MAbH since 2008.
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