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Othering of Russians is going very strong on reddit. I keep tabs on this because my brother is thoroughly sucked into it. The degree of othering and dehumaniz

Othering of Russians is going very strong on reddit. I keep tabs on this because my brother is thoroughly sucked into it. The degree of othering and dehumanization is so extreme and comprehensive that the people doing it seem to become acclimatized to it and don't realize the extent and severity of what they're doing, like fish who don't notice the water they're in. Before somebody like this jumps down my throat, yes I'm sure Russians are doing it too, and yes I know Russia started the war and Ukraine has a right to defend myself. Spare me the tedious accusations of being a shill for the ""orcs"" and ""ziggers"" (really?), the with-us-or-against-us mentality is part of the extremist radicalization process. Both sides are using it and both can be criticized for it.

aguaviva 2y ago
The way I've seen the "orc" term in use ("ziggers" is a new one to me), it's always been applied to individuals carrying out acts of aggression on Ukrainian territory. Or perhaps their active helpers on the homefront (those otherwise engaged in and supporting that aggression directly). Not against Russians as a people. Then again I wouldn't know from discussions on Reddit, as I can barely stand to look for more than a few seconds at any of the political content there. (None of this is in reference to the paper, which of course talks about much broader issues, and doesn't refer to the "orc" term at all).
rightbyte 2y ago
I think the tone on the topic on Reddit is due to bots and shills. Not just this topic but almost all topics. There is also a subgroup of the population that seems very susceptible to fall for dehumanization. It is like they go mad as soon as there is a somewhat socially accepted victim of it.
metabagel 2y ago
You underestimate the betrayal which Ukrainians feel against Russians, and their hatred of Russia for what it has put them through. It seems like you can’t quite put yourself in the shoes of the Ukrainians, who are fighting an existential war for survival.
- aguaviva 2y ago
  Indeed - complaints about the "orc" term and "otherization" in general are rather academic, in the context of what's happening there. As if the people writing that paper, were they to wake up one morning and find their house being shelled for no reason, wouldn't start to "otherize" the responsible party.
Muromec 2y ago
"zigger" is more of a 4chan thing and isn't really used by Ukrainians.

aguaviva 2y ago

The way I've seen the "orc" term in use ("ziggers" is a new one to me), it's always been applied to individuals carrying out acts of aggression on Ukrainian territory. Or perhaps their active helpers on the homefront (those otherwise engaged in and supporting that aggression directly). Not against Russians as a people. Then again I wouldn't know from discussions on Reddit, as I can barely stand to look for more than a few seconds at any of the political content there. (None of this is in reference to the paper, which of course talks about much broader issues, and doesn't refer to the "orc" term at all).

rightbyte 2y ago

I think the tone on the topic on Reddit is due to bots and shills. Not just this topic but almost all topics. There is also a subgroup of the population that seems very susceptible to fall for dehumanization. It is like they go mad as soon as there is a somewhat socially accepted victim of it.

metabagel 2y ago

You underestimate the betrayal which Ukrainians feel against Russians, and their hatred of Russia for what it has put them through. It seems like you can’t quite put yourself in the shoes of the Ukrainians, who are fighting an existential war for survival.

aguaviva 2y ago
Indeed - complaints about the "orc" term and "otherization" in general are rather academic, in the context of what's happening there. As if the people writing that paper, were they to wake up one morning and find their house being shelled for no reason, wouldn't start to "otherize" the responsible party.

Muromec 2y ago

"zigger" is more of a 4chan thing and isn't really used by Ukrainians.