5 ms·

> Saying the actual word is meant to inflame or diminish. How could you possibly know this? Also, it's obviously just not true. You're saying that the intent

> Saying the actual word is meant to inflame or diminish. How could you possibly know this? Also, it's obviously just not true. You're saying that the intent matters, but what we're seeing these days is that the mere mention of a word is enough.

kenjackson 6y ago
I’m saying that the word carries intent. In part because there is a well known alternative that can be used in almost any situation if intent is not intended. There are a few exceptional situations, but none have been noted here.
- bill_mon 6y ago
  > I’m saying that the word carries intent. No, you're saying that you know the intent.
  - kenjackson 6y ago
    Yes. Even more than that. I’m saying virtually everyone knows the intent.
    - bill_mon 6y ago
      That would take a mind reader. You're simply guessing at intent, we all do. But the problem in this case isn't intentions, but the mere mention of a word. Like Voldemort.
      - kenjackson 6y ago
        You’re either arguing that we never know intent, ever, so you can’t judge someone. Or that intent can’t be inferred from one word, not sure which one. But both seem like poor positions.
        bill_mon 6y ago
        I find both to be correct.
mattbee 6y ago
Some words carry intents, even vicious ones, even if you're ignorant of them.
- bill_mon 6y ago
  No, intent is in my head only. When I say something, I know the intent, you guess at the intent when you listen.
  - mattbee 6y ago
    Signal, then? Your intent is irrelevant (& fairly assumed) when you use the wrong word. It's this kind of thinking that led an ex colleague to wonder out loud whether he shouldn't seek some "desensitivity training" for the entire company (who had just reacted very negatively to a message he'd sent out) rather than communication training for him!
    - bill_mon 6y ago
      > Your intent is irrelevant (& fairly assumed) when you use the wrong word. If my intent is irrelevant, why bring it up? And this is exactly what we're talking about: Is using the wrong word bad in itself, or does there need to be some intent? Can we determine intent objectively? Fairly? Does intent matter? What is a wrong word? Who decides? What consequences do taboo words have for society? You can't just claim "Your intent is irrelevant ... when you use the wrong word." when that's the entire question. Your ex colleague thinks people should grow thicker skin. You think we should police language. I don't see that your idea is very developed and it certainly doesn't work very well right now.

kenjackson 6y ago

I’m saying that the word carries intent. In part because there is a well known alternative that can be used in almost any situation if intent is not intended. There are a few exceptional situations, but none have been noted here.

bill_mon 6y ago
> I’m saying that the word carries intent. No, you're saying that you know the intent.
- kenjackson 6y ago
  Yes. Even more than that. I’m saying virtually everyone knows the intent.
  - bill_mon 6y ago
    That would take a mind reader. You're simply guessing at intent, we all do. But the problem in this case isn't intentions, but the mere mention of a word. Like Voldemort.
    - kenjackson 6y ago
      You’re either arguing that we never know intent, ever, so you can’t judge someone. Or that intent can’t be inferred from one word, not sure which one. But both seem like poor positions.
      - bill_mon 6y ago
        I find both to be correct.

mattbee 6y ago

Some words carry intents, even vicious ones, even if you're ignorant of them.

bill_mon 6y ago
No, intent is in my head only. When I say something, I know the intent, you guess at the intent when you listen.
- mattbee 6y ago
  Signal, then? Your intent is irrelevant (& fairly assumed) when you use the wrong word. It's this kind of thinking that led an ex colleague to wonder out loud whether he shouldn't seek some "desensitivity training" for the entire company (who had just reacted very negatively to a message he'd sent out) rather than communication training for him!
  - bill_mon 6y ago
    > Your intent is irrelevant (& fairly assumed) when you use the wrong word. If my intent is irrelevant, why bring it up? And this is exactly what we're talking about: Is using the wrong word bad in itself, or does there need to be some intent? Can we determine intent objectively? Fairly? Does intent matter? What is a wrong word? Who decides? What consequences do taboo words have for society? You can't just claim "Your intent is irrelevant ... when you use the wrong word." when that's the entire question. Your ex colleague thinks people should grow thicker skin. You think we should police language. I don't see that your idea is very developed and it certainly doesn't work very well right now.