Editor’s Note

Are assholes born or made? I’m pretty sure that some people have an unfortunate genetic predisposition to be nastier, less empathetic and more self-centred than others. But there’s strong evidence that the right conditions can make an asshole out of anybody. Robert Sutton, who wrote the book The Asshole Survival Guide, says: “Becoming an asshole is something that happens — with shocking speed and intensity — when people find themselves in powerful positions.” It’s not always the case, but Sutton’s statement is backed by many examples of powerful people behaving badly, some of whom Jennifer Platt identifies on page 9. Bill Cosby is mentioned, among others. But we wouldn’t have had a problem devoting an entire edition to calling out the creeps who’ve abused their positions of power in revolting ways. But an “asshole edition”? Maybe not.

A few days ago I was sent a YouTube video of a speech by actress Jameela Jamil. In it she suggests that this is the moment when women have a golden window of opportunity to shape the future of society from their living rooms. “Take this little sponge,” she says, “and render him sodden with humanity and an understanding of women. It will send him into this world with an armour of empathy and self assurance, that a strong woman is something to be celebrated and not feared, crushed, undermined, spoken over, stopped, humiliated, shamed, blamed, discouraged, controlled, told that to be worth anything in this world, she must have big tits, but a small waist and thin arms, oh and a big pert arse but no thighs, and a young face ... forever.”

Yes Jameela, but I’m giving my children some advice too. Before you do something, I tell them, put yourself through the asshole test. Ask yourself the simple question: “Am I being an asshole?” The answer should be clear. And if it’s not, you are.