RE: Feigned indignation and false maryterdom complex
June 14, 2012 at 12:24 pm
(This post was last modified: June 14, 2012 at 12:25 pm by Tempus.)
Insults rarely contribute anything to a discussion. Typically they just create bad blood between people and bad blood between people can lead to violence. I don't think beliefs, simply by virtue of being held strongly, deserve respect or even tolerance. And yet, I'm perfectly capable of not respecting an opinion / belief while maintaining civility (for the most part). If I want people to see things my way, I use tact, civility and communicate clearly. Being a cunt adds nothing to your position. The greatest enemy to understanding and change of opinion during debate, in my opinion, is when people are caught up in winning the argument, rather than being right. This happens when people are angry at their opponent; they want to beat them.
Do I think people shouldn't be allowed to insult? No. I certainly don't want criticism of either side on any issue silenced and I particularly enjoy creative insults. I just think there's a difference between being politically correct and being an asshole. The only thing anger does in arguments is make people more biased.
Do I think people shouldn't be allowed to insult? No. I certainly don't want criticism of either side on any issue silenced and I particularly enjoy creative insults. I just think there's a difference between being politically correct and being an asshole. The only thing anger does in arguments is make people more biased.
