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“What did you expect?” is my least favorite conversational trope (it’s more disappointing on HN because in general I have higher expectations here, but it’s com

by glaugh 6y ago

“What did you expect?” is my least favorite conversational trope (it’s more disappointing on HN because in general I have higher expectations here, but it’s common everywhere). On the surface it sounds smart and world-weary. As an actual part of a conversation, whether something is expected is pretty orthogonal to whether, say, something would ideally be done about it. I suppose it is relevant to whether something makes good content, but hopefully most of us aren’t here primarily to comment on our judgment of content marketability I think the most common place I see it is with surveillance conversations Though I should note that I’m not seeing those comments towards the top anymore, so that’s good

grayhatter 6y ago
I love the common tropes, you only have to learn a single response that allows you to control the narrative. > What did you expect? Well, geez, I don't know basic human decency probably? Are we all so numb to asshattery that we're not surprised or upset when we learn about someone using power to hurt or control the little guy?
- purplecats 6y ago
  > Well, geez, I don't know basic human decency probably? Oh sweetheart, if you expect that under a capitalist system... or really any system run by human nature.
  - ewmiller 6y ago
    > Oh sweetheart This should also be on the list of annoying conversational tropes.
    - purplecats 6y ago
      Agreed
ardy42 6y ago
> “What did you expect?” is my least favorite conversational trope (it’s more disappointing on HN because in general I have higher expectations here, but it’s common everywhere). > On the surface it sounds smart and world-weary. As an actual part of a conversation, whether something is expected is pretty orthogonal to whether, say, something would ideally be done about it. Yeah, it's pretty much just a lazy dismissal of the issue, and maybe even an attempt to jam up the discussion.
erostrate 6y ago
This brand of cynicism where you claim that everything is expected can also be a way to protect yourself from negative information. If you care about say privacy and you constantly receive news about surveillance, it can be disheartening, so it's easier to dismiss the news with "well, what did you expect?". I know I used to do that, in my head at least. I'm not advocating for cynicism of course, just saying that people might be doing it for deeper reasons than sounding smart and world-weary.

by glaugh 6y ago

grayhatter 6y ago

I love the common tropes, you only have to learn a single response that allows you to control the narrative. > What did you expect? Well, geez, I don't know basic human decency probably? Are we all so numb to asshattery that we're not surprised or upset when we learn about someone using power to hurt or control the little guy?

purplecats 6y ago
> Well, geez, I don't know basic human decency probably? Oh sweetheart, if you expect that under a capitalist system... or really any system run by human nature.
- ewmiller 6y ago
  > Oh sweetheart This should also be on the list of annoying conversational tropes.
  - purplecats 6y ago
    Agreed

ardy42 6y ago

> “What did you expect?” is my least favorite conversational trope (it’s more disappointing on HN because in general I have higher expectations here, but it’s common everywhere). > On the surface it sounds smart and world-weary. As an actual part of a conversation, whether something is expected is pretty orthogonal to whether, say, something would ideally be done about it. Yeah, it's pretty much just a lazy dismissal of the issue, and maybe even an attempt to jam up the discussion.

erostrate 6y ago

This brand of cynicism where you claim that everything is expected can also be a way to protect yourself from negative information. If you care about say privacy and you constantly receive news about surveillance, it can be disheartening, so it's easier to dismiss the news with "well, what did you expect?". I know I used to do that, in my head at least. I'm not advocating for cynicism of course, just saying that people might be doing it for deeper reasons than sounding smart and world-weary.