Between the Pages with Rachel D. Oak
Rationally Insane with Rachel D. Oak
Why Female Authors Keep Getting Destroyed Online
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-11:26

Why Female Authors Keep Getting Destroyed Online

Ali Hazelwood, cancel culture, and the myth of the “perfect” author
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A rant and a little bit of media literacy is in order. Buckle up, this one’s a little bit personal and very much overdue.

This week on Rationally Insane, I’m talking about the recent takedown of Ali Hazelwood (yes, over a Hunger Games opinion), how BookTok keeps cannibalizing its own creators, and why it’s always female authors who bear the brunt of it.

But this goes deeper than a five-second soundbite. I’m also unpacking:

  • Why “cancel culture” has become a performance loop

  • How algorithms fuel outrage faster than reason

  • Why I don’t do performative takedowns (and how that’s impacted my own content)

  • The depressing reality of “authentic” creators who’ve become charicatures of themselves

  • Why I’m finding relief in podcasting, where the mic can’t be re-edited into the perfect take

If you've ever felt jaded by social media and/or frustrated by the cycle of drama, you’re not alone, and you're very welcome here.

Mentioned in this episode

BookTok is Burning Its Own House Down – my Substack deep dive → https://racheldoak.substack.com/p/too-hot-for-tiktok-author-takedown

My Tiktok, YouTube, Instagram → @TheAuthorRach

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