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The author’s point is that labeling someone as “lazy” is intellectually lazy. Every person, throughout their lives, exhibits behaviors ranging the full spectrum
by ppqqrr 5y ago
The author’s point is that labeling someone as “lazy” is intellectually lazy. Every person, throughout their lives, exhibits behaviors ranging the full spectrum from lazy to diligent. They might be lazy about one thing but diligent about another, all at different times, for reasons others may never find out about. Labeling a person as lazy ignores all of that, and lays judgement based on a specific things the labeler wish the labeled was more diligent about, and at the time of their choosing. It’s entirely subjective, and rarely constructive. Laziness, as a description of a person’s measurable, inherent attributes, is inherently vindictive, intellectually lazy, and generally unhelpful. It’s a way of saying “I give up on you, I don’t want to know your story, and I think you can’t change” without acknowledging your part in that judgement.
- IncRnd 5y ago> The author’s point is that labeling someone as “lazy” is intellectually lazy. The author's directly stated point in the headline, their book, and the article is that laziness "does NOT" exist.
- ppqqrr 5y agoWell, headlines be headlines. If you take them literally, they’ll disappoint you.
- IncRnd 5y agoThat's kind of a lazy response, since I wrote three places the author directly mentioned their point not just the headline.
- ppqqrr 5y agoHaving provoked you so with a daring headline, the author’s ploy is to draw you into their actual writing, in which they will explain the nuances of their arguments. If you cannot be bothered to move past the headlines, you’ll just be provoked. If you’ve read all the text and are still not convinced, you’re entitled to your opinion.
- Jensson 5y agoCalling someone lazy is meant to provoke them with a daring insult. Just like headlines insults doesn't have to be true, they just have to provoke you. Taking the insult at face value and writing a scientific argument against it mean that he doesn't understand the point of insults to begin with. And he can't really blame others for being lazy with their insults when he is lazy with his headlines and articles like this. It is exactly the same thing, it gives him clicks and fame and he can make a living.
- campground 5y agoThis is getting into ontology. I think the point is that laziness is a meaningless term with no explanatory power, and therefore may as well not exist.
- mLuby 5y agoIs labeling someone the opposite of lazy ("tenacious, hard-working, full of grit") similarly intellectually lazy? The same types of factors go into their non-average behavior, just inverted. And it can be a negative trait, although it's less common for that effect to manifest.
- ppqqrr 5y agoTechnically, I guess so. Point is, we can’t be diligent about everything at all times; and that includes intellectually. Difference is that negative judgements are more readily wielded as verbal weapons than compliments.
- ptr 5y agoWhat if you’re not diligent with the main thing you’re “there for”, as in, doing the work you’re paid for and spend 8 hours/day doing? It’s not “just anything.”
- tonyedgecombe 5y ago>It’s not “just anything.” How long can you brute force it when most jobs are lacking autonomy, purpose and mastery?
- hezag 5y agoYep. And it's basically what supports the myth of meritocracy.