Zekkyou on 20 July 2016
| pokoko said: Just a quick question for those who are all into politics--why do people use insults like "libtard" or whatever the silly alternative on the other side is? What's the point in looking childish when talking about stuff that's kind of important? They might as well say "u r dum lol" or something, it looks that cringe-worthy, yet I see it all the time. Maybe it's trolls, trying to convince smart people to choose the other side? |
Labels make it easier to dehumanize your opponent. Negative ones even more so. They usually seem pretty silly to those outside the conflict (or those involved, but with a more level headed view of things), but to those using it, it acts as a focus point for hate. It's far easier to hate a 'them' than a complete human being. It's also, at least In the mind of the person useing it, a useful tool for deflection. Why address someone's argument when you can invalidate it with an almost meaningless label.
As for why such labels are usually so immature, it's just a matter of who creates them. Take those on each side that would be willing to dehumanize their opponents, and then average out the loudest sub-group. Ta-da, you have an idiot :p
