5 ms·

I noticed NPR commentators in the US (particularly younger, progressive ones) love the adjective "problematic." Upon reflection in the car, I literally have no

• duxup 7y ago
  That word very quickly became nonsensical filler for "it's bad" or "I don't like it" or "I disagree". At one point it was useful for some specific cases (like all such words) but the nature of it being vague meant you could throw it around aimlessly ... and it lost meaning quickly. It happens with a lot of new phrases and words that seem to carry with them some depth and such and they are quickly abused to the point of losing all meaning and context.
  • whatshisface 7y ago
    "I don't like it" sounds like your own subjective opinion, but "it's problematic" projects your own subjectivity on to the object as if it was a property of the object.
    • closeparen 7y ago
      It's typically used in reference to a well-known criticism or controversy. If you're the first one to flag the problem, then you would be more precise.
• kick 7y ago
  Definition of problematic (via Merriam-Webster) (Entry 1 of 2) 1a : posing a problem It seems pretty simple to me.
  • scarejunba 7y ago
    Reducing a word like that to simply a definition which barely covers its complexity is problematic.
• ropiwqefjnpoa 7y ago
  It's lazy writing, it sounds like means something, but it's just a generalized disagreement of the subject in most cases.
• hi5eyes 7y ago
  considering the context i would guess problematic is anything not politically incorrect/not sanctioned by “the culture”
• friendlybus 7y ago
  It meant that the problem was systemic, across multiple parts of society or a social structure. It made sense when discussing sexual abuse and the politics of 2015, cleaning up multiple structures like Hollywood and the church at the same time. Losing the big picture worldview it came from has buried the word's meaning.
• tbabb 7y ago
  It's a one-word way to say "there might be something wrong with this idea." It might be clear from the context what the wrongness might be, or it might be a gateway for more elaboration/discussion. It seems like a perfectly fine construction to me, and a good example of the efficiency mentioned in the grandparent comment.
• kazagistar 7y ago
  Firstly , saying something is simply wrong or unjust is far too black and white is many situations. Worse then it could be or less just then an alternative seem like more readily available goals, and a far better lens through which to identify problems and solutions. The focus isn't on being judgemental, but on problem solving, and it's somewhat ironic that it's become considered politically charged. With this context, saying something is problematic is saying there a problem there in the sense that it could be improved to something more moral, just, kind, etc. Of course, just like most of these similar words its broad and abstract, and if you are ever confused why someone considers something problematic you can ask or independently learn or study the issues. As far as actual usage as a word, I've seen a few common useful ones. - As an initial statement prior to explaining the actual details and reasoning. Hopefully this one is not confusing people, but often people dont read past a headline so... - A categorization of something specifically to be avoided in discussion for simplicity. You discuss or explain a simplified idea, and leave the problematic bits out til later, as a method of organizing, like when learning math or whatever. - Casual shorthand between people with a similar set of understanding and arguments to point something out. This unfortunately leaks out to people who dont share in that common terminology and get confused. Its unfortunate that instead of, say, getting curious to understand the missing pieces of arguments, some people seem to just assume it's some kind of fluff and dismiss it out of hand. Hopefully something here can provide clarity of terminology for some, and if they still want to problematize problematic can clarify in what way and why.
• closeparen 7y ago
  It's a social justice term: an acknowledgement that something might be racist/sexist/whatever-ist, or there's at least room for debate, but we're not getting into it right now. "The author's approach towards female characters is problematic, but what I really want to focus on is..."
  • rumanator 7y ago
    It sounds like it's a blanket statement designed to single out a political target without providing any reason or evidence or justification.
    • foldr 7y ago
      >without providing any reason or evidence or justification Calling something 'problematic' doesn't in any way prevent you from providing a justification for that view. If people aren't providing justifications when they should, then that's a problem independent of the particular choice of words.
      • rumanator 7y ago
        > Calling something 'problematic' doesn't in any way prevent you from providing a justification for that view. Nor does any libelous or slandering statement or outright lying, but that doesn't remove your responsibility of supporting and substantiating your claims. The "problematic" label is just a trick to poison the well.
• throw7 7y ago
  My pet peeve: reporters using "that begs the question, why ...?". No, that doesn't beg the question, that raises a question. Better yet, just ask the question. AAARRRGHHH!!!
• mobsrunningriot 7y ago
  Technically, it means: "there is a problem here." Practically, it means: "I'm going to start complaining now, and if you don't agree with me, you are the problem." One of my favorite "problems" is based on the "fact" that everything we see in media becomes a transcendental reality that nobody can evade, thus we have to constantly fight over who gets represented and why and how. Of course the premise has massive holes in it, and the representation being fought over is often unimaginative clunky stuff churned out by a committee. But that's not problematic. So whenever I see the word "problematic" I think of some bureaucratic middle manager looking over a memo from above dictating that he or she is required to enforce a policy directive. Source: Am queer and read this kind of stuff all the time.
• nwallin 7y ago
  It's often a convenient shorthand for saying you think a person or policy is racist, sexist, homophobic, islamophobic etc without actually saying it. It's like "alleged" only there's always an "alleged <something>", while "problematic" is only ever used alone. IMHO it's overused, because of its distinct lack of clarity. It's especially incorrect when the reporter is injecting it themselves, as opposed to reporting what some other person said.