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How exactly is the comment you're replying to "incendiary"?

by F2 9y ago

grzm 9y ago
The comment includes highly partisan and uncivil language: > spewing bullshit > the clownshow in office > D's get to clean up the mess Regardless of how right (or wrong) the commenter may be, this type of language does not invite or encourage the civil and productive discourse that is strongly valued on HN. There are ways to express such opinions in a civil way, though it requires more effort. Given the current polarized environment in the US, it's difficult enough to engage in constructive discourse on political topics: on a forum such as HN with only text as the medium of communication it's even more difficult without using language used above.
- Romanulus 9y ago
  Holy fuck, get a load of this asshole.
- __jal 9y ago
  For the record, I use 'bullshit' as a technical term[1]. I can imagine why someone might dislike 'clownshow'. Frankly, I find it accurate, or I wouldn't have written it, and I didn't use such terms in the past to describe pols I disagree with - it is specific to what I see as a historically bad outfit. "Clean up the mess" is "uncivil"? Sorry, that's silly, and another demonstration that politically correct language policing isn't just for lefty college-kids. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/dp/0691122946 https://www.amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/dp/0691122...
  - anigbrowl 9y ago
    I also support this use of 'bullshit' as a technical term and recommend that book to anyone who will listen. Your language strikes me as disgruntled rather than incendiary, but then my political views are already closely aligned with yours. Civility is important for discourse, but so is clarity of expression, and I do not consider it uncivil to express a firm opinion bluntly whether or not I agree with it.
- throwaway6556 9y ago
  Why do you like playing moderator? If you want to be a moderator, email dang, dude.
- manicdee 9y ago
  Thank you for a clear example of the difference between vulgar and offensive.
lettergram 9y ago
I actually think the "D's" are equally bad, if not worse. But saying that potentially leads to an argument. That's why it's incendiary, because it leads directly to bashing, skipping civil debate. Plus, it's condecending to at least half of the people in the U.S. The parent commenter acts as though they know they're correct and every other person is wrong. The comment comes across very close minded, and not really in the spirit of discourse. They even hint that they don't see the point of discourse: > Engaging on a level of logic with someone who is seeking an outcome and just says whatever they think will support their view. This is about the exercise of power. The only thing it added was to discount other views and generalize "R's" as "clown" supporters, which just isn't the case. There was no other addition to the conversation. Further, I dont even see a way to respond to that comment without seemingly defending the "clown"... Which would certainly lead to a more incendiary argument.
- michaelmrose 9y ago
  You can't join in the political discussion and wag your finger at those talking politics. I also don't think much of the both sides are equally bad dismissal of the current disaster that is American politics. Its a disappointing lack of analysis.
  - UnpossibleJim 9y ago
    I understand that in the current state, not much argument can be made, but if qe roll the clock back to September of last year, a scant 8 months ago, the actions of "both" parties was pretty equally toxic. As I know this will draw fire from one side or the other for not being biased in their personal direction, I cannot and will not support either party due to nonpolitical bias. Analysis of a political state cannot be true if viewed over a (horrible) four month period. The current Democrats took to Reagan policy, as a whole, pretty well. It's just a slightly different flavor. All that having been spewed out of my opinion hole, is Hackernews going to become embroiled in "my team v. your team" political discussions? I gotta find something new to read on the bus, if so (insert pedantic emoji here)
  - lettergram 9y ago

How exactly is the comment you're replying to "incendiary"?

by F2 9y ago

How exactly is the comment you're replying to "incendiary"?

grzm 9y ago

The comment includes highly partisan and uncivil language: > spewing bullshit > the clownshow in office > D's get to clean up the mess Regardless of how right (or wrong) the commenter may be, this type of language does not invite or encourage the civil and productive discourse that is strongly valued on HN. There are ways to express such opinions in a civil way, though it requires more effort. Given the current polarized environment in the US, it's difficult enough to engage in constructive discourse on political topics: on a forum such as HN with only text as the medium of communication it's even more difficult without using language used above.

Romanulus 9y ago
Holy fuck, get a load of this asshole.
__jal 9y ago
For the record, I use 'bullshit' as a technical term[1]. I can imagine why someone might dislike 'clownshow'. Frankly, I find it accurate, or I wouldn't have written it, and I didn't use such terms in the past to describe pols I disagree with - it is specific to what I see as a historically bad outfit. "Clean up the mess" is "uncivil"? Sorry, that's silly, and another demonstration that politically correct language policing isn't just for lefty college-kids. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/dp/0691122946 https://www.amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/dp/0691122...
- anigbrowl 9y ago
  I also support this use of 'bullshit' as a technical term and recommend that book to anyone who will listen. Your language strikes me as disgruntled rather than incendiary, but then my political views are already closely aligned with yours. Civility is important for discourse, but so is clarity of expression, and I do not consider it uncivil to express a firm opinion bluntly whether or not I agree with it.
throwaway6556 9y ago
Why do you like playing moderator? If you want to be a moderator, email dang, dude.
manicdee 9y ago
Thank you for a clear example of the difference between vulgar and offensive.

lettergram 9y ago

I actually think the "D's" are equally bad, if not worse. But saying that potentially leads to an argument. That's why it's incendiary, because it leads directly to bashing, skipping civil debate. Plus, it's condecending to at least half of the people in the U.S. The parent commenter acts as though they know they're correct and every other person is wrong. The comment comes across very close minded, and not really in the spirit of discourse. They even hint that they don't see the point of discourse: > Engaging on a level of logic with someone who is seeking an outcome and just says whatever they think will support their view. This is about the exercise of power. The only thing it added was to discount other views and generalize "R's" as "clown" supporters, which just isn't the case. There was no other addition to the conversation. Further, I dont even see a way to respond to that comment without seemingly defending the "clown"... Which would certainly lead to a more incendiary argument.

michaelmrose 9y ago
You can't join in the political discussion and wag your finger at those talking politics. I also don't think much of the both sides are equally bad dismissal of the current disaster that is American politics. Its a disappointing lack of analysis.
- UnpossibleJim 9y ago
  I understand that in the current state, not much argument can be made, but if qe roll the clock back to September of last year, a scant 8 months ago, the actions of "both" parties was pretty equally toxic. As I know this will draw fire from one side or the other for not being biased in their personal direction, I cannot and will not support either party due to nonpolitical bias. Analysis of a political state cannot be true if viewed over a (horrible) four month period. The current Democrats took to Reagan policy, as a whole, pretty well. It's just a slightly different flavor. All that having been spewed out of my opinion hole, is Hackernews going to become embroiled in "my team v. your team" political discussions? I gotta find something new to read on the bus, if so (insert pedantic emoji here)
- lettergram 9y ago