4 ms·

>The spectral signature of orthodox privilege is "Why don't you just say it?" If you think there's something true that people can't say, why don't you be brave,

>The spectral signature of orthodox privilege is "Why don't you just say it?" If you think there's something true that people can't say, why don't you be brave, and own it? The more extreme will even accuse you of specific heresies they imagine you must have in mind, though if there's more than one heresy current in your time, these accusations will tend to be nondeterministic: you must either be an xist or a yist. Well. This kind of hit a snare with me... I'm the kind of person that would say this to people. I'm not entirely sure what to think of it as a whole, the letter. I might have to read it again later.

newacct583 6y ago
> I'm the kind of person that would say this to people. Recognize that this is probably a combination of: (1) your opinions aren't as unorthodox as you think, they're just a little controversial, and (2) you're the kind of person who can just "say this to people" without significant repercussions. Both of those traits constitute the state described by the linked article: you're "privileged", to use the vernacular. It's not something true of everyone. In fact, were something you said to produce a real, big reaction from offended people, you'd probably be really upset. You just don't know it. Probably 90% of the "cancel culture" paranoia we're seeing on the right is exactly this: people used to being able to exercise their "Freedom to Offend" suddenly finding it's not so fun when the other side hits back.
- apexalpha 6y ago
  I've read the letter again and if its goal was to make me think it succeeded. Although I'm generally weary of labeling everything "privileged", I get the authors' point. Having thought about it I do live in a culture that is considered extremely blunt, honest or even just rude depending on who you ask. That might change my perspective as well.

newacct583 6y ago

> I'm the kind of person that would say this to people. Recognize that this is probably a combination of: (1) your opinions aren't as unorthodox as you think, they're just a little controversial, and (2) you're the kind of person who can just "say this to people" without significant repercussions. Both of those traits constitute the state described by the linked article: you're "privileged", to use the vernacular. It's not something true of everyone. In fact, were something you said to produce a real, big reaction from offended people, you'd probably be really upset. You just don't know it. Probably 90% of the "cancel culture" paranoia we're seeing on the right is exactly this: people used to being able to exercise their "Freedom to Offend" suddenly finding it's not so fun when the other side hits back.

apexalpha 6y ago
I've read the letter again and if its goal was to make me think it succeeded. Although I'm generally weary of labeling everything "privileged", I get the authors' point. Having thought about it I do live in a culture that is considered extremely blunt, honest or even just rude depending on who you ask. That might change my perspective as well.