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Absolutely - in fact in 2021 you might even be accused of mansplaining, when actually the purpose of asking these questions is to genuinely learn more about why
by tompccs 6y ago
Absolutely - in fact in 2021 you might even be accused of mansplaining, when actually the purpose of asking these questions is to genuinely learn more about why the world works the way it does! (And of course there are the occasional examples of genuine insights gained from having a fresh perspective - I remember reading about Alan Sugar discovering that he could make satellite dishes for a tenth of the cost by contracting the manufacture out to a bin lid factory)
- kelnos 6y agoI think we've hit the result of heavy social pendulum swings. There are enough people who actually do mansplain in the very negative way that the assumption has become that any attempt to explain something in that manner is assumed to be mansplaining unless proven otherwise. It's disappointing, because it shuts down any form of reasonable discussion, and causes people to automatically assume the worst intentions without applying the principle of charity. But on the other hand, mansplaining is actually a real, pervasive problem, so it's understandable that people can become viscerally negative toward anyone who starts explaining something without first verbally demonstrating humility.
- tompccs 6y agoI think this is fair. More broadly I'd add that we've become quick to accuse the speaker of bad intent and too rarely consider if the listener could have been more charitable. And god help you if there's someone in the room intent of hearing you uncharitably, regardless of the feelings of the person you're actually addressing. The most uncharitable interpretation will usually prevail.