The Freedom to Trash: Why I Give as Good as I Get.

“That stalker Taylor is trashing you.” Cries Georgie. To which Alex replies with that smug moral superiority I’ve seen a thousand times: “Thanks for letting me know.”

That little exchange says everything about the game we’re all playing online. Everyone loves the freedom to trash others — until the boot is on the other foot. Then suddenly it’s harassment, bullying, or “unacceptable behaviour.” Me? I’m done with the hypocrisy. I believe in equal rights: if you can dish it out, you’d better be ready to take it.

Let me give you a prime example. James Hind famously trashed the life’s work of Ross Broadstock. Ross died tragically and suddenly in 2022, leaving behind a wife and three teenage boys. Within 48 hours, Hind published his verdict: “Good riddance. This guy was turning ancient history and King Arthur into a farce. Now we can get back to serious and proper historical research.”

Harsh? Absolutely. But here’s the thing — these same people who celebrate tearing down others cry foul the moment someone turns the spotlight on them. They can trash us, but we can’t trash them. That’s not how freedom works.

Take Tony Quigley. He once proudly claimed, “I’m not a bully, I just mock scumbags here and there. Call out lies too.” Sounds reasonable until you’re the one in his crosshairs. Tony loves to trash me: “Matt has never risen to any height to be pulled down from.” He’s also taken shots at Katie B, saying she’d “make a great compost toilet on a canal boat.” Funny stuff when he’s saying it. But god forbid anyone gives him a taste of his own medicine — then he’s suddenly the victim.

Within hours of the death of Lee Cant, the very same Tony Quigley posted: “One less nutter pushing and sprouting nonsense.”

Yet these people still have the nerve to lecture the rest of us about decency and respect. It’s the same old story — they can dance on graves when it suits them, but the moment anyone gives them or their mates the same treatment, they scream blue murder. Spare me. The rules apply equally or they apply to no one. I know which side I’m on.

I’ve got news for Tony and all the others like him: the arena is open to everyone. I’m unapologetic about my trashing of others. Recently I sent a message to John Williams that went something like this: “Hello Johnny. Allow me to introduce myself. Taylor, Matt Taylor. I'm a troll and I love nothing more than taking the piss out of nutters like you!”

And yes, I stand by every word. I trash others. Others trash me. That’s the deal. If you can’t handle a good trashing, then keep out of the action. Don’t step into the ring expecting kid gloves and a participation trophy.

Why This Matters.

The freedom to trash another person isn’t some niche internet privilege — it’s tied to the bigger principle of free speech. If we’re allowed to criticise ideas, challenge sacred cows, and call out nonsense in public, then personal mockery comes with the territory. You can’t demand the right to ridicule someone else’s life’s work and then demand protection when yours gets the same treatment.

I’ve been on the receiving end plenty of times. I’ve been called a stalker, a troll, and plenty worse. Does it bother me? Sometimes it stings for a moment. But I don’t run crying to the moderators or play the victim card. I come back swinging — because that’s fair game.

The real problem isn’t the trashing itself. It’s the double standard. The James Hinds and Tony Quigleys of the world want a protected class for themselves and their allies. They want the freedom to be vicious, but they want the rest of us muzzled. Sorry, girls — not happening on my watch.

I’m not saying there should be no limits. Going after grieving families or purely malicious harassment crosses a line. But when it comes to public figures pushing ideas, promoting theories, or positioning themselves as authorities — whether on history, politics, or anything else — they’re fair game.

My Rules for the Arena

1. If you put your ideas out there, expect them to be stress-tested — sometimes brutally.

2. If you mock others, develop some skin thickness for when it comes back at you.

3. Don’t preach civility only when you’re the target. That’s not principle; that’s convenience.

I’ve chosen to stay in the arena. I enjoy the scrap. I love exposing what I see as nonsense and winding up the self-important. And I fully expect — and accept — the same treatment in return.

So to all the Georgies, Alexes, Hinds, Quigleys, and Williams out there: keep throwing your punches. I’ll keep throwing mine. That’s the only fair way to play this game.

If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. Me? I’m just getting started.