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I think we agree that those in power use language and texts to justify their position, instead of the other way around. They use it as a pretext for their acti

I think we agree that those in power use language and texts to justify their position, instead of the other way around. They use it as a pretext for their activities. I think it is fundamentally dishonest to say that 'manhole' is somehow harmful, or implies that only males can use it, or any number of other negative things. No, this is a pure virtue signal. It attacks an easy target that cannot defend itself and makes a point because the point is to demonstrate power, not to cause any meaningful change.

eesmith 7y ago
While I think that some in power do as you suggest, I also think that others do not. You therefore need some other mechanism to distinguish which is well-justified and which is self-justified. As far as I can tell, the city is making the change on the belief that it promotes equality, and not specifically because it's harmful. Unless you believe that all inequality is harmful, I don't see how you drew your conclusion. What would "meaningful change" look like to you? I thought Berkeley had a long history of making meaningful changes. You appear to be using "virtue signal" in a meaningless way, akin to how the Republicans members of Congress use "socialist" and "communist" to describe anyone to their left. Has the last 150 years of de-gendering been "pure virtual signal"? Are you going to use "authoress" and "aviatrix" because those poor words couldn't defend themselves?