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Why shouldn't people have the patience to define their language before having a discussion? Your last line seems to indicate that you think having unchanged def
by sosuke 10y ago
Why shouldn't people have the patience to define their language before having a discussion? Your last line seems to indicate that you think having unchanged definitions to words is a good thing.
My wife and I define things to each other frequently. We often are saying the same things but confusing each others meanings because of wording.
- humanrebar 10y ago> Why shouldn't people have the patience to define their language before having a discussion? Most people aren't practiced in keeping sets of definitions in mind that vary from context to context. You're also opening the (aspirationally meaningful) conversation with somewhat involved semantic discussion and debate. "Now that we've labored over the meanings of 'race', 'diversity', and 'equality' for fifteen minutes and invented three new terms to encompass the meanings of 'racism' that are relevant here, tell me how the latest executive order might end up exposing your family to more of racism-type-B."
- sosuke 10y agoThe implications are overwhelming. To be a meaningful part of the debate would require a great deal, maybe even obsessive, of focus, time and research. I used to love text because it felt unambiguous. I just realized a part of me fears speaking because I don't want to be misunderstood.
- humanrebar 10y agoAgreed. But I realized I don't need to speak to be misunderstood.