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How can it be motivating when they literally had a rule that "former fatties" were not allowed? Their official policy was that if you were ever fat, at any poi

How can it be motivating when they literally had a rule that "former fatties" were not allowed? Their official policy was that if you were ever fat, at any point, you were not welcome and worthy of ridicule. If you find that motivational as a fat person, I think you might have a different problem altogether.

busterarm 9y ago
I browsed understanding that I was not welcome and worthy of ridicule. I was not a former fatty, I was then and am currently a fatty. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that our society sets up the conditions for people to literally (slowly) kill themselves, knowing full well that I do that myself. Yes, my behavior is absolutely worthy of ridicule and should be.
- blueline 9y ago
  Ridicule is not a healthy way to correct 'bad' behaviors. Even aside from the fact that I fundamentally disagree that people should feel bad for being obese - Aside from the typical externalities of excessive eating and sedentary lifestyle - your comment is baffling to me. The social cost of the negative outcomes of ridicule directed at obese people - lifelong stunted self-confidence, eating disorders, depression, suicide, etc. - FAR outweigh the few cases where people like yourself might find this productive/helpful. Do you really believe that ridicule is a reasonable way for society to deal with this (or any) issue?
  - busterarm 9y ago
    "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down" works extremely effectively in many cultures. I'm not saying there's other downsides to using that tool, but it is extremely effective. S.Korea & Japan are in the lowest three obesity rates for a reason. (Third being Italy)
    - pjc50 9y ago
      Always interesting to see free speech libertarians defending aggressive social conformism ...
      - busterarm 9y ago
        It's not a hard thing to figure out, honestly. I'll vigorously defend your right to express your opinion. That doesn't mean I have to agree with you and I may disagree loudly. Aggressive social conformism is just everyone disagreeing with you, loudly. It's the kind of thing we should be doing to racists, etc.
  - hackinthebochs 9y ago
    >Do you really believe that ridicule is a reasonable way for society to deal with this (or any) issue? Isn't that exactly what's going on with the backlash against hate groups? Like it or not, ridicule is an effective social tool for behavior modification.

busterarm 9y ago

I browsed understanding that I was not welcome and worthy of ridicule. I was not a former fatty, I was then and am currently a fatty. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that our society sets up the conditions for people to literally (slowly) kill themselves, knowing full well that I do that myself. Yes, my behavior is absolutely worthy of ridicule and should be.

blueline 9y ago
Ridicule is not a healthy way to correct 'bad' behaviors. Even aside from the fact that I fundamentally disagree that people should feel bad for being obese - Aside from the typical externalities of excessive eating and sedentary lifestyle - your comment is baffling to me. The social cost of the negative outcomes of ridicule directed at obese people - lifelong stunted self-confidence, eating disorders, depression, suicide, etc. - FAR outweigh the few cases where people like yourself might find this productive/helpful. Do you really believe that ridicule is a reasonable way for society to deal with this (or any) issue?
- busterarm 9y ago
  "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down" works extremely effectively in many cultures. I'm not saying there's other downsides to using that tool, but it is extremely effective. S.Korea & Japan are in the lowest three obesity rates for a reason. (Third being Italy)
  - pjc50 9y ago
    Always interesting to see free speech libertarians defending aggressive social conformism ...
    - busterarm 9y ago
      It's not a hard thing to figure out, honestly. I'll vigorously defend your right to express your opinion. That doesn't mean I have to agree with you and I may disagree loudly. Aggressive social conformism is just everyone disagreeing with you, loudly. It's the kind of thing we should be doing to racists, etc.
- hackinthebochs 9y ago
  >Do you really believe that ridicule is a reasonable way for society to deal with this (or any) issue? Isn't that exactly what's going on with the backlash against hate groups? Like it or not, ridicule is an effective social tool for behavior modification.