3 ms·
Unfortunately, whether or not a term is really offensive is a combination of what it is, who said it, and when/where (at least in the common-sense definition).
by bee_rider 1y ago
Unfortunately, whether or not a term is really offensive is a combination of what it is, who said it, and when/where (at least in the common-sense definition). Unfortunately, because this is directly opposed to our (at least in the US, and in most countries rooted in liberalism) sense of fairness which says that rules should be applicable universally, across all people and in all contexts.
Which is to say… policing speech is a problem best avoided!
- DrillShopper 1y ago> Unfortunately, because this is directly opposed to our (at least in the US, and in most countries rooted in liberalism) sense of fairness which says that rules should be applicable universally, across all people and in all contexts. The US is not even internally consistent about this - the legal definition of obscenity in the US is deferential to local community standards.
- bee_rider 1y agoThere’s internal inconsistency because different communities have different special issues that get us to violate our basic principles.