4 ms·

It doesn't matter whether there are other meanings. The fact remains that there is a single meaning which is understandably deeply upsetting to some people. I'd

It doesn't matter whether there are other meanings. The fact remains that there is a single meaning which is understandably deeply upsetting to some people. I'd imagine you'd avoid topics that upset your friends in real life, and some of us like to extend this courtesy to strangers on the internet as well. If you feel your "full extent of the English language" is more important than the emotions of strangers, that's your choice, but forgive me and others for judging you as an asshole.

PommeDeTerre 13y ago
Let me get this straight. So he's an "asshole" because you and possibly some other people refuse to accept that certain English words have multiple distinct definitions, and because you also refuse to take into account context when reading such words? It's a rather unusual stance to take.
- aninhumer 13y ago
  I'm not refusing to accept anything. Of course words have multiple meanings, but that doesn't mean the other meanings magically disappear just because they're not implied by context. Interpretation of natural language is strongly influenced by lexical connotations. If you use a negative word in your sentence, people will have negative reactions to it, regardless of your intent. In practice most people who do this are merely profoundly ignorant and unsympathetic, rather than overtly being assholes. But yes, if someone intentionally choose to use words with upsetting connotations, I consider them an asshole.
laichzeit0 13y ago
Neither you, nor anyone else on the face of this planet, has the right not to be offended. Now moving on..
- steveklabnik 13y ago
  Neither you, nor anyone else on the face of this planet, has the right not to be criticized for the actions they take.
- aninhumer 13y ago
  Everyone has the right to be offended. Everyone has the right to not care about those people being offended. And everyone has the right to consider those people assholes.
coldtea 13y ago
>It doesn't matter whether there are other meanings. The fact remains that there is a single meaning which is understandably deeply upsetting to some people. People getting upset by mere words (not even uttered against them) are hardly worth a hackers time. Also notice how you, the oh-so-sensitive to the "emotions of strangers" and the "meanings that upset people", called him "an asshole" (for merely suggesting the use of a word). Way to go for tolerance.
- aninhumer 13y ago
  People can get upset by words for a variety of reasons. Should they make an effort to handle their emotions better? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't also make an effort avoid language which might upset people. And perhaps I'm being hypocritical by insulting people, but I get angry when I see people with this ignorant "Not my problem" attitude to offensive language, and communication in general. Communication is a two way street. If your messages are not being received as you'd like, is it so absurd to suggest that you consider changing what you say before criticising how others listen?
  - coldtea 13y ago
    >People can get upset by words for a variety of reasons. Should they make an effort to handle their emotions better? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't also make an effort avoid language which might upset people. Well, I'll take any effort needed to avoid language that might upset people -- except the kind of people that are upset by language. Those I'll take any effort needed to upset them. I mean, I would not use words that might hurt a regular person or somebody who is actually sensitive to them because of their state/past/gender/color/etc. But I would very much use all the words that annoy the kind of people who get annoyed by words all the time, ie. the PC crowd. I'm with this Carlin and Lenny Bruce guy on this one.
    - aninhumer 13y ago
      Obviously you have to draw the line somewhere, but if you don't think there are people who are "actually sensitive" to this particular use of language, then you are sorely mistaken.

PommeDeTerre 13y ago

Let me get this straight. So he's an "asshole" because you and possibly some other people refuse to accept that certain English words have multiple distinct definitions, and because you also refuse to take into account context when reading such words? It's a rather unusual stance to take.

aninhumer 13y ago
I'm not refusing to accept anything. Of course words have multiple meanings, but that doesn't mean the other meanings magically disappear just because they're not implied by context. Interpretation of natural language is strongly influenced by lexical connotations. If you use a negative word in your sentence, people will have negative reactions to it, regardless of your intent. In practice most people who do this are merely profoundly ignorant and unsympathetic, rather than overtly being assholes. But yes, if someone intentionally choose to use words with upsetting connotations, I consider them an asshole.

laichzeit0 13y ago

Neither you, nor anyone else on the face of this planet, has the right not to be offended. Now moving on..

steveklabnik 13y ago
Neither you, nor anyone else on the face of this planet, has the right not to be criticized for the actions they take.
aninhumer 13y ago
Everyone has the right to be offended. Everyone has the right to not care about those people being offended. And everyone has the right to consider those people assholes.

coldtea 13y ago

>It doesn't matter whether there are other meanings. The fact remains that there is a single meaning which is understandably deeply upsetting to some people. People getting upset by mere words (not even uttered against them) are hardly worth a hackers time. Also notice how you, the oh-so-sensitive to the "emotions of strangers" and the "meanings that upset people", called him "an asshole" (for merely suggesting the use of a word). Way to go for tolerance.

aninhumer 13y ago
People can get upset by words for a variety of reasons. Should they make an effort to handle their emotions better? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't also make an effort avoid language which might upset people. And perhaps I'm being hypocritical by insulting people, but I get angry when I see people with this ignorant "Not my problem" attitude to offensive language, and communication in general. Communication is a two way street. If your messages are not being received as you'd like, is it so absurd to suggest that you consider changing what you say before criticising how others listen?
- coldtea 13y ago
  >People can get upset by words for a variety of reasons. Should they make an effort to handle their emotions better? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't also make an effort avoid language which might upset people. Well, I'll take any effort needed to avoid language that might upset people -- except the kind of people that are upset by language. Those I'll take any effort needed to upset them. I mean, I would not use words that might hurt a regular person or somebody who is actually sensitive to them because of their state/past/gender/color/etc. But I would very much use all the words that annoy the kind of people who get annoyed by words all the time, ie. the PC crowd. I'm with this Carlin and Lenny Bruce guy on this one.
  - aninhumer 13y ago
    Obviously you have to draw the line somewhere, but if you don't think there are people who are "actually sensitive" to this particular use of language, then you are sorely mistaken.