Politicians and orators have long followed the rule of three – i.e. keep your argument to three key points, as your average audience’s attention span will not last longer.
The rule spills over into what they actually say, and three word phrases do tend to stick in the mind: Hands, face, space. Mind the Gap. Keep Britain Tidy. Take Back Control … Even family authority figures (parents, nannies, and the like) have long understood the power of three; No means No; Say your prayers; Wash your hands; Eat your greens …
The rule is powerful because the short phrases are memorable and catchy, and often the messages conveyed are important and intended for your personal or the common good. Not always though – which is when we come to the ipse dixit.This term, as you may not already know – I didn’t until earlier this year – means that the phrase / mantra being oft repeated is an unsupported and arbitrary assertion.
The ipse dixit is beloved of demagogues and zealots for any particular cause and the prime intention is to stop all debate because their position is so manifestly right it doesn’t need scrutiny. Take, for example, the lobby group Stonewall’s phrase acceptance without exception. Should we really not be able discuss why somebody has taken a particular position, or now wants to be addressed in a particular way, especially if the rights of one person to behave in a certain way may conflict with the rights of another? Doesn’t discussion help others to understand, and allow safeguarding issues (if any) to be addressed for the benefit of all?
Brexit means Brexit, and transwomen are women are similar ipse dixits that have been intended to close down debate as the matter is now, in the speaker’s opinion, sorted. Ergo we must all now ‘move on’ or be labelled ‘remoaners’ or ‘bigots.’
As time passes, though, we often find that further debate would have been useful. Even ardent Bexiteers (fishermen, farmers and the like) feel we are now, in their opinion, ending up with ‘the wrong kind of Brexit,’ that risks putting them out of business.
Women’s sport is very much in the news at the moment because at least three young men who have recently transitioned to identify as female, but have retained superior male strength gained during puberty, are competing or want to compete in top level / university women’s sport in place of natal females. (More at lower levels, including rugby and martial arts). Thousands of women, plus many men, are objecting to the rules that seemingly allow this.
Even a vocal adherent of the ipse dixit transwomen are women, the gay political commentator, Owen Jones, would seem to have reservations. He has tweeted that he might be looking for a ‘broody lesbian’ to have a baby for him; though he is yet to admit that his real position is therefore, at the very least, somewhat nuanced.
The use of memorable three word phrases in communication is nothing new. You could say “’twas ever thus.”
“Que sera, sera”
Links to my books and social media
You can find all my books and short stories on Amazon books, At least one story always free. ALL BOOKS FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED