4 ms·

But that's still a fucked-up thing to say - as if being taller is some kind of better thing and his courage makes him taller?

stickfigure 5y ago
Would it be better if I said: Courage makes you bigger (admittedly it's phrased better that way because it's more indirect, but now we're analyzing glib four-word jokes)
- chrisseaton 5y ago
  That's just referring to another physical property that people can't control and may be sensitive about. How about just don't comment on anyone's physical appearance, and stick to their actions and personality?
  - stickfigure 5y ago
    To be honest... no, we can't. You're asking too much. I mean if we're going to take this to its logical extreme, why should personality be fair judgement? Some people have grating personalities and are annoying to be around, maybe they were born that way. Actions? Maybe Putin genuinely believes that Nazis are oppressing Russians in Ukraine. If he did, would that make it excusable? How about we just be nice to each other? That doesn't seem a tall ask. Don't make mean jokes about short people! But that doesn't mean we can't acknowledge that this social phenomenon in language or make jokes that aren't mean.
    - chrisseaton 5y ago
      > To be honest... no, we can't. You're asking too much. I don't think so. Just don't mock someone's height, sexual-orientation, size-of-hands, etc. That's completely achievable. > I mean if we're going to take this to its logical extreme Well then don't take it to an extreme - do the easy bit and just stop yourself each time you're criticising someone for something that they very clearly can't control at all without resorting to surgery.
      - stickfigure 5y ago
        So I think we're on the same page? Be nice, don't mock people.[1] Let's waaay overanalyze this: Courage makes you taller does not mock anyone. It does however acknowledge heightism. It's not mean to say, therefore it's fair game and not "fucked up" the way that the joke about the garden gnome in the OP is. We can make jokes about guys with huge pornstar cocks without that being an insult to those who are less-endowed. [1] Overanalyzing further: Size-of-hands is fair game, because 1) Trump's hands aren't actually particularly small, and 2) because Trump seems to be sensitive to the subject, it's a comment on his thin-skinned personality not his physical self. Also 3) Trump is a public figure and isn't entitled to the same level of politeness that a private person can expect.
        chrisseaton 5y ago
        > a public figure and isn't entitled to the same level of politeness that a private person can expect Strong disagree.
- tsol 5y ago
  "Courage makes you whiter" -- can we just not use physical traits as proxies for human value?
- erosenbe0 5y ago
  This line of thinking ends badly for the 6'4" muscular guy [particularly with a dark complexion] when he ends up in a jury trial. Size jokes seem to have a negative impact on all men.
samatman 5y ago
Thing is though that people present as shorter or taller than they are based on posture, and it's not just people, all mammals do it. There's a saying in English when someone needs to show bravery: "chin up". What do you think it means, other than "stand straight and tall"?

stickfigure 5y ago

Would it be better if I said: Courage makes you bigger (admittedly it's phrased better that way because it's more indirect, but now we're analyzing glib four-word jokes)

chrisseaton 5y ago
That's just referring to another physical property that people can't control and may be sensitive about. How about just don't comment on anyone's physical appearance, and stick to their actions and personality?
- stickfigure 5y ago
  To be honest... no, we can't. You're asking too much. I mean if we're going to take this to its logical extreme, why should personality be fair judgement? Some people have grating personalities and are annoying to be around, maybe they were born that way. Actions? Maybe Putin genuinely believes that Nazis are oppressing Russians in Ukraine. If he did, would that make it excusable? How about we just be nice to each other? That doesn't seem a tall ask. Don't make mean jokes about short people! But that doesn't mean we can't acknowledge that this social phenomenon in language or make jokes that aren't mean.
  - chrisseaton 5y ago
    > To be honest... no, we can't. You're asking too much. I don't think so. Just don't mock someone's height, sexual-orientation, size-of-hands, etc. That's completely achievable. > I mean if we're going to take this to its logical extreme Well then don't take it to an extreme - do the easy bit and just stop yourself each time you're criticising someone for something that they very clearly can't control at all without resorting to surgery.
    - stickfigure 5y ago
      So I think we're on the same page? Be nice, don't mock people.[1] Let's waaay overanalyze this: Courage makes you taller does not mock anyone. It does however acknowledge heightism. It's not mean to say, therefore it's fair game and not "fucked up" the way that the joke about the garden gnome in the OP is. We can make jokes about guys with huge pornstar cocks without that being an insult to those who are less-endowed. [1] Overanalyzing further: Size-of-hands is fair game, because 1) Trump's hands aren't actually particularly small, and 2) because Trump seems to be sensitive to the subject, it's a comment on his thin-skinned personality not his physical self. Also 3) Trump is a public figure and isn't entitled to the same level of politeness that a private person can expect.
      - chrisseaton 5y ago
        > a public figure and isn't entitled to the same level of politeness that a private person can expect Strong disagree.
tsol 5y ago
"Courage makes you whiter" -- can we just not use physical traits as proxies for human value?
erosenbe0 5y ago
This line of thinking ends badly for the 6'4" muscular guy [particularly with a dark complexion] when he ends up in a jury trial. Size jokes seem to have a negative impact on all men.

samatman 5y ago

Thing is though that people present as shorter or taller than they are based on posture, and it's not just people, all mammals do it. There's a saying in English when someone needs to show bravery: "chin up". What do you think it means, other than "stand straight and tall"?