Elisa Beni and Soto Ivars: controlled dissent or genuine sincerity

Elisa Beni and Soto Ivars: controlled dissent or late-blooming sincerity?

Former judge Elisa Beni and writer Juan Soto Ivars have in recent months become reference points for criticism of the official narrative within feminism and the left. Both, coming from pogre positions, have shifted towards a discourse that many interpret as "controlled dissent": criticism that is permitted and even encouraged by the system to feign plurality without any real risk.

The algorithm that boosts the critics

Soto Ivars, author of "La voz en off" and columnist at El Confidencial, has seen his YouTube videos soar thanks to the algorithm. In them, he uses cultural references — such as a western-style intro with dynamite — to attract a young audience disillusioned with hegemonic feminism. The strategy recalls that of other YouTubers who, with an apparently moderate discourse, capitalise on discontent.

Scepticism towards the converts

The reaction in critical circles was not long in coming: both stand accused of having been part of the "left-leaning-moderate-respectable-cool" crowd until two days ago, and of now profiting from an opposition that always existed but which they ignored. The suspicion is that their criticism is nothing more than a new way of attracting an audience, sold as "moderation" but without any transformative substance. "Many people have pointed out this nonsense before," it is noted, stressing that the credit does not belong to the newcomers.

Dissent or business?

The coincidence between the marketing campaign for Ivars' book and his media rise fuels the doubts. If what he says is true, why is it arriving now and not earlier? The answer may lie in the fact that the system needs critical voices to renew itself, and converts are the perfect vehicle: they criticise within the margins, without questioning the foundations of power.

Are we witnessing a genuine intellectual rebellion, or just another product of the all-devouring algorithm?