Above Political Correctness

Overcast · 05-10-2011, 11:15 PM

So I had the fun of reading the little scene that got our very own Nonsie a 10 day absence, and while stirring up the scenario is likely going to be frowned upon I would really enjoy asking people out loud a question about why people decide to react to strongly to how people word certain things.

The thing is to me it isn't the word that will offend me. The word is just a word, and sometimes the offense tied to it can be the source of some pretty funny jokes. In all honesty if the usage of these words are, if converted in my head into PC words is still inherently true, e.g. "OC, you are such a fucking fag." = "OC the way you worded that last phrase was incredibly homosexual." then I won't really care they used non PC language. In the last thread the word abnormal was used, but honestly I am abnormal as far as societal norms is concerned. The question was if it was being referred to as a bad thing, which I don't think it was. But when you are trying to demean me then I'll feel it, e.g. "God hates fags." = "You are not human."

The key is, you don't need to be using non-PC language to offend me, real ignorance and bad intentions are more than enough. Like when someone told me they felt sorry that I had to be born this way. Like I have some kind of major fucking handicap just because I like dudes.

We all have the power to be above political correctness if we have the ability to look past the words people are using and into the intention of their words.

Hopefully I won't be banned for beating a dead horse.

Fifthfiend · 05-10-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

So I had the fun of reading the little scene that got our very own Nonsie a 10 day absence, and while stirring up the scenario is likely going to be frowned upon I would really enjoy asking people out loud a question about why people decide to react strongly to how people word certain things.

Nope.

If you're looking for answers, try not starting with thoughtless, condescending bad-faith questions.

Krylo · 05-10-2011, 11:46 PM

Actually, simple psychology says that OC is entirely correct in that it is you who decides how to react to what people say and do in your presence. Indeed, it's one of the primary things used in couple's counseling and anger counseling. One has to release the idea that what someone else does makes them angry, and instead embrace the idea that they get angry when someone does something.

It sounds like silly semantics, but it makes measured dialogue easier without blaming, and presents a sense of agency in the offended party when they embrace the idea that it is they who are in charge of their reactions, and not everyone else.

The SSB Intern · 05-11-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krylo

Actually, simple psychology says that OC is entirely correct in that it is you who decides how to react to what people say and do in your presence. Indeed, it's one of the primary things used in couple's counseling and anger counseling. One has to release the idea that what someone else does makes them angry, and instead embrace the idea that they get angry when someone does something.

It sounds like silly semantics, but it makes measured dialogue easier without blaming, and presents a sense of agency in the offended party when they embrace the idea that it is they who are in charge of their reactions, and not everyone else.

This is all pretty much how I feel. But what really interests/confuses me is that there are people who are offended by the very concept of political correctness. Sometimes these happen to be the people who are the subjects of the PC labels, so I suppose they might find them to be patronizing or something, but most of the time it is some other party completely unrelated to the PC who finds definitively inoffensive words completely abhorrent.

rpgdemon · 05-11-2011, 12:23 AM

Here's what I don't get: If you know that something offends someone, why continue to do it?

I mean, sure, they could be the most unreasonable person ever, getting offended because of a word like spoon, but if you know that it offends them, why continue using it? It's not like it's hard to NOT use language that offends people based on words, and not the connotation that you're giving them. Even if they're being unreasonable, you don't have to be.

***Fenris*** · 05-11-2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpgdemon

Here's what I don't get: If you know that something offends someone, why continue to do it?

I mean, sure, they could be the most unreasonable person ever, getting offended because of a word like spoon, but if you know that it offends them, why continue using it? It's not like it's hard to NOT use language that offends people based on words, and not the connotation that you're giving them. Even if they're being unreasonable, you don't have to be.

While I agree with the concept wholeheartedly, the reality is that habits are really hard to break, especially those you've been entrenched in for a while.

Example: like, as a trombonist, I've been holding the slide of the damn thing wrong for a decade and when I'm not actively thinking about it, I occasionally revert back to that habit pattern I've formed.

Same thing applies to speech. Once you stop thinking about it, you revert.

The Sevenshot Kid · 05-11-2011, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpgdemon

Here's what I don't get: If you know that something offends someone, why continue to do it?

I mean, sure, they could be the most unreasonable person ever, getting offended because of a word like spoon, but if you know that it offends them, why continue using it? It's not like it's hard to NOT use language that offends people based on words, and not the connotation that you're giving them. Even if they're being unreasonable, you don't have to be.

I know! When did common decency just go out of vogue? People shouldn't struggle to be P.C. but they should at least be nice enough to consider that they may be hurting someone's feelings with what they say. Stick and stones still applies but that doesn't mean we should all just be assholes.

Society shouldn't police what people say, but people should ask themselves every now and then if they feel that the way they say things is appropriate or not.

Overcast · 05-10-2011, 11:47 PM

Was good seeing you too sexual chocolate.

Fifthfiend · 05-10-2011, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overcast

Was good seeing you too sexual chocolate.

Thank you for confirming my original impression of the intent of your OP.

Overcast · 05-10-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifthfiend

Thank you for confirming my original impression of the intent of your OP.

To clarify the last time I said that was when you entered my audiophilia thread with a single gif and didn't bother even making much of a point. Here you decided to do the same, refusing to respond to the rest of my post and singling out something as a reason why I shouldn't be allowed to state my opinions. In both situations you are speaking to my blunt honesty as if that is reason enough not to talk to me.

I am being condescending because I find the fact that people do react that way as idiotic, I know that was what I was saying. If you are going to shut me down do more than just bold something and say no one should respond to this.

At the very least debunk my whole fucking idea.

05-10-2011, 11:15 PM	#1
Overcast Cinderella Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Trespassing in the graveyard Posts: 3,076	Above Political Correctness So I had the fun of reading the little scene that got our very own Nonsie a 10 day absence, and while stirring up the scenario is likely going to be frowned upon I would really enjoy asking people out loud a question about why people decide to react to strongly to how people word certain things. The thing is to me it isn't the word that will offend me. The word is just a word, and sometimes the offense tied to it can be the source of some pretty funny jokes. In all honesty if the usage of these words are, if converted in my head into PC words is still inherently true, e.g. "OC, you are such a fucking fag." = "OC the way you worded that last phrase was incredibly homosexual." then I won't really care they used non PC language. In the last thread the word abnormal was used, but honestly I am abnormal as far as societal norms is concerned. The question was if it was being referred to as a bad thing, which I don't think it was. But when you are trying to demean me then I'll feel it, e.g. "God hates fags." = "You are not human." The key is, you don't need to be using non-PC language to offend me, real ignorance and bad intentions are more than enough. Like when someone told me they felt sorry that I had to be born this way. Like I have some kind of major fucking handicap just because I like dudes. We all have the power to be above political correctness if we have the ability to look past the words people are using and into the intention of their words. Hopefully I won't be banned for beating a dead horse. __________________ Time to bust out the glow sticks!

05-10-2011, 11:46 PM	#3
Krylo The Straightest Shota Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: It's a secret to everybody. Posts: 17,789	Actually, simple psychology says that OC is entirely correct in that it is you who decides how to react to what people say and do in your presence. Indeed, it's one of the primary things used in couple's counseling and anger counseling. One has to release the idea that what someone else does makes them angry, and instead embrace the idea that they get angry when someone does something. It sounds like silly semantics, but it makes measured dialogue easier without blaming, and presents a sense of agency in the offended party when they embrace the idea that it is they who are in charge of their reactions, and not everyone else. __________________ I am very tired.

05-11-2011, 12:23 AM	#5
rpgdemon Not a Taco Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,313	Here's what I don't get: If you know that something offends someone, why continue to do it? I mean, sure, they could be the most unreasonable person ever, getting offended because of a word like spoon, but if you know that it offends them, why continue using it? It's not like it's hard to NOT use language that offends people based on words, and not the connotation that you're giving them. Even if they're being unreasonable, you don't have to be. __________________ I did a lot of posting on here as a teenager, and I was pretty awful. Even after I learned, grew up, and came to be on the right side of a lot of important issues, I was still angry, abrasive, and generally increased the amount of hate in the world, in pretty unacceptable ways. On the off chance that someone is taking a trip down memory lane looking through those old threads, I wanted to devote my signature to say directly to you, I'm sorry. Thank you for letting me be better, NPF.

05-10-2011, 11:47 PM	#8
Overcast Cinderella Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Trespassing in the graveyard Posts: 3,076	Was good seeing you too sexual chocolate. __________________ Time to bust out the glow sticks!