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I did not see it - but I read the Wiki article about his controversies. All of them appear to be no more than play on words, there is never any ill will or des

by omonra 11y ago

I did not see it - but I read the Wiki article about his controversies. All of them appear to be no more than play on words, there is never any ill will or desire to humiliate anybody. The reason these particular jokes get noticed is because some people are obsessed with crying foul when certain groups are offended. He could make 10 jokes about the English/Scotts/Welsh and nobody would bat an eyelash.

ris 11y ago
So a play on words with the word "nigger" would be ok by you? "...never any ill will or desire to humiliate anybody" - this is the sort of very flimsy faux-naivity that I come to expect in these debates - especially on technical forums with a very literal-thinking crowd. "He could make 10 jokes about the English/Scotts/Welsh and nobody would bat an eyelash." Context. You cannot ignore context as much as you try. In the modern day, the English, Scots and Welsh are not typically discriminated against for their racial "traits". Certainly not in any serious way. Derogatory racial terms are not ok.
- omonra 11y ago
  The word nigger still has pretty heavy connotations in our society so I don't think it would be ok. As you said yourself - context matters. Likewise, I'm not aware of asians being discriminated in our modern day. That's really the point - I don't have a problem with Clarkson's play on words because to me it's a meaningless sound. And the fact that an asian guy might be called slope/slopes (?) and that's a feature of the bridge is a pun - hence it's funny. They probably make an average of one joke/pun for 30 seconds of the show. Some of them may be unfunny or crude - but unless you can actually demonstrate ill will (simply alluding to the naivette of your interlocutors isn't sufficient) - it's ok.
- wesomefolks 11y ago
  Any word he wants to use is OK. He's on TV, he's an artist, it's his art. You don't get to decide which strokes he can make or which brushes he can use or which words he can paint an idea with. If you don't like a car show with a racist guy, make a better car show and don't be a racist. But understand, if you want to convince people of a position, you can only do so by being an example to them and hoping to change their mind; you cannot censor, ban, fine, imprison, commit violence against those you disagree with, and then expect people to convert to your opinion. For the record, I care not an iota about a show about cars made by a comedian. I do appreciate Clarkson when he is on Quite Interesting. Honestly, what do you think you are accomplishing by sitting and criticizing someone that is out in the world doing something? Either do it better or shut up.
- ptaipale 11y ago
  Just regarding that "context": Clarkson never used the word "nigger" in show, let alone made a play with it. But depending on context, I think it might be okay. However, publicly calling Gordon Brown a "one-eyed Scottish idiot" certainly was intentionally offensive, which you can conclude from the Royal National Institute of Blind People being offended by the comparison, the Scots being offended by the comparison, and the association of idiots probably being somewhere trying to prepare a statement about being offended. Guilty as charged.

by omonra 11y ago

ris 11y ago

So a play on words with the word "nigger" would be ok by you? "...never any ill will or desire to humiliate anybody" - this is the sort of very flimsy faux-naivity that I come to expect in these debates - especially on technical forums with a very literal-thinking crowd. "He could make 10 jokes about the English/Scotts/Welsh and nobody would bat an eyelash." Context. You cannot ignore context as much as you try. In the modern day, the English, Scots and Welsh are not typically discriminated against for their racial "traits". Certainly not in any serious way. Derogatory racial terms are not ok.

omonra 11y ago
The word nigger still has pretty heavy connotations in our society so I don't think it would be ok. As you said yourself - context matters. Likewise, I'm not aware of asians being discriminated in our modern day. That's really the point - I don't have a problem with Clarkson's play on words because to me it's a meaningless sound. And the fact that an asian guy might be called slope/slopes (?) and that's a feature of the bridge is a pun - hence it's funny. They probably make an average of one joke/pun for 30 seconds of the show. Some of them may be unfunny or crude - but unless you can actually demonstrate ill will (simply alluding to the naivette of your interlocutors isn't sufficient) - it's ok.
wesomefolks 11y ago
Any word he wants to use is OK. He's on TV, he's an artist, it's his art. You don't get to decide which strokes he can make or which brushes he can use or which words he can paint an idea with. If you don't like a car show with a racist guy, make a better car show and don't be a racist. But understand, if you want to convince people of a position, you can only do so by being an example to them and hoping to change their mind; you cannot censor, ban, fine, imprison, commit violence against those you disagree with, and then expect people to convert to your opinion. For the record, I care not an iota about a show about cars made by a comedian. I do appreciate Clarkson when he is on Quite Interesting. Honestly, what do you think you are accomplishing by sitting and criticizing someone that is out in the world doing something? Either do it better or shut up.
ptaipale 11y ago
Just regarding that "context": Clarkson never used the word "nigger" in show, let alone made a play with it. But depending on context, I think it might be okay. However, publicly calling Gordon Brown a "one-eyed Scottish idiot" certainly was intentionally offensive, which you can conclude from the Royal National Institute of Blind People being offended by the comparison, the Scots being offended by the comparison, and the association of idiots probably being somewhere trying to prepare a statement about being offended. Guilty as charged.