> It's about who you can criticize and who you can't, regardless of your specific claims or evidence. Suppose you criticize someone for being slow at reading.

> It's about who you can criticize and who you can't, regardless of your specific claims or evidence. Suppose you criticize someone for being slow at reading. It's not the nicest thing to say, but it's run of the mill as criticisms go. But then suppose you criticize someone for being slow at reading who has dyslexia. That would be considered extremely insensitive and rude, even if it's factually correct. Suppose you say "I screwed up". Pretty unremarkable; self-deprecation is common in our culture, and people won't consider it a sign you're being too hard on yourself, unless the mistake you made was extremely minor or harmless. But then suppose you say "You screwed up". That would be considered far too aggressive and direct for most situations. Of course it matters who you're criticizing.