Bad Ideas Deserve to Be Mocked

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Photo credit (edited), fair use

In a blogpost entitled Cookin’ Up (4/12/2025), I discussed episode #2303 of Joe Rogan’s podcast in which libertarian political commentator Dave Smith discussed with British neoconservative political commentator, cultural critic, and journalist Douglas Murray the actions of Israel.

Since then, on various social media platforms, I’ve observed mockery of Murray’s ideas (formulated thoughts or opinions) and thought it may be useful to address the notion that “bad ideas deserve to be mocked,” as mockery concerns insulting or contemptuous action or speech.

For context, during the conversation on Rogan’s podcast, the following dialogue took place:

Murray: No, there was not starvation in Gaza after 2005. No, there was no deficit of goods coming in. I’ve been plenty of times.

Smith: There was “no” deficit?

Murray: No. There were plenty—

Smith: No goods were kept out?

Murray: There are plenty— have you been to the crossing points?

Smith: No.

Murray: When were you last there at all?

Smith: I’ve never been.

Murray: You’ve never been!?

Smith: Well, I’m not— am I not allowed to talk about it now? I’ve never been to— have you ever been to Nazi Germany? Are you allowed to have feelings about them?

Murray: You can’t time travel.

Smith: You’re right!

Murray: But you can— but you can travel.

Smith: Okay, but so what? So what’s the point? Like, okay. Lots of people have been there and agree with me, and lots of people have been there and agree with you. I don’t know what the—

Murray: If you’re going to spend a year and a half talking about— about a place, you should at least do the courtesy of visiting it.

Smith: All right, I just think this is a non-argument.

First, much of the contemptuous speech regarding that segmented piece of dialogue has related to Murray’s presumably elitist position. Rather than viewing his argument as potentially valid, people have simply posted in comment sections, “You’ve never bean!?”

Part of the humor in mockery of this sort relates to Murray’s British accent. He pronounces “been” as “bean,” thus rendering his argument open to further ridicule which is reminiscent of the absurd behavior of British sitcom character Mr. Bean.

Thus, stating “you’ve never bean!?” has now become a meme when mocking other absurd arguments which aren’t related to the Smith and Murray discussion. A meme is merely an amusing or interesting item that is spread widely online, especially through social media. 

As an example of the Murray meme’s usage, if someone suggests that the only people worth listening to about mental, emotional, and behavioral health are “experts” who’ve been to institutions of higher education, another person may simply reply, “You’ve never bean!?”

This reply is an example of mocking a presumably bad idea relating to gatekeeping—the activity of attempting to control, and usually limiting, general access to something. Thus, Murray’s inferred elitist argument deserves (is worthy, fit, or suitable for) mockery.

Second, from the perspective of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I recognize Murray’s second referenced argument as worthy of ridicule (i.e., If you’re going to spend a year and a half talking about— about a place, you should at least do the courtesy of visiting it.).

Use of “should” in this regard relates to a form of irrational belief known as demandingness. In Murray’s case, it’s as though he’s stating that people absolutely should visit a place if they are going to criticize the actions of people who originate from, live in, or operate within that place.

Instead of simply mocking this perceivably bad idea, which I relate to invalid rhetoric, Smith effectively disputed the belief by questioning the implications of Murray’s proposition. Is it so that in order to criticize behavior within a locale one absolutely should visit the place?

How might such suppression of critical thinking and other warranted criticism impact further discussions? Humorously, Smith endorsed Godwin’s law which states, “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.”

Personally, endorsement of this social faux pas doesn’t invalidate the inference. If one absolutely should visit a place in order to provide commentary regarding behavior, then perhaps most discussions about locales by people who’ve never bean…er…been to these places would cease.

Finally, it’s worth noting that while I agree that bad (or merely illogical and unreasonable) ideas deserve to be mocked, I’m not advocating mockery of Murray herein. He’s little more than a fallible human being with an accent that I find amusing, and who has questionable ideas.

I hope to have effectively communicated this distinction in Cookin’ Up, as I stated, “As Texas is associated with the best BBQ [barbeque] in the country, and Rogan’s studio is located in Austin, Texas, it’s only fitting that Murray beliefs were BBQ’d by Smith in my home state.”

Ergo, I advocate mockery of ideas while I generally refrain from mocking people. Alas, I’m a fallible human being and I unconditionally accept that I’m not perfect, as I sometimes make fun of people nonetheless. Who among us hasn’t been guilty of such behavior? You’ve never bean!?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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