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Majora on 05 September 2024
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the-pi-guy said:
JuliusHackebeil said:

If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words."

-Philip K. Dick

A big issue that I have with this kind of argument, is what about the people that control the words in the other direction? 

Group A coming up with new words they want to use, and Group B wants to prevent them from using those words. Why do you view Group A exclusively as being the one controlling the words, and not Group B preventing Group A's language use?

That's a big problem with these kinds of generic statements, they're often true in both directions.

Just like that neo-nazi quote that constantly gets thrown around "simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"

No body wants to be criticized and plenty of people on all parts of the political spectrum get pretty upset if they're criticized.

It just ends up being meaningless. It only sounds good to people who lack self awareness. 

Because Group A wants to compel Group B to use the new words. However, let me speak from my own perspective as that’s the only one I have authority on.

I genuinely do not care what words individuals or groups use. They are free to use all the words that they like. In fact, I do not care what actions individuals or groups take, with one caveat; that these words/actions do not harm, or infringe on, the rights of others. My problem begins where compelled speech/behaviour comes into play.

I will not be compelled by any person or entity to use words that I do not wish to use and I find it egregious at the very best to be told I WILL use certain words and that if I do not use the words or language as mandated to me then I can expect one or more of many negative consequences to come my way. I can understand why it is preferable that some words are NOT used in public speech (but again, I don’t agree with it being illegal, unless it incites violence), but I refuse and find it an affront to my person to be told which words I MUST use and in which context. Let Group A use all the words they like, and let Group B use the words they like, but neither Group or Group B should be compelled to use the words as set out by the other.