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? - Trying to control anybodys speech is wrong, no matter from what "direction" that bid for control comes from. No matter if it was nazis, commies, you name it. The thing is, I only hear cries about "words being violence" and a furthering of hate speech laws coming from a rather particular "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? - Group B in this particular discourse is not preventing anything. And Group A does not just want to use those words for themselves, they demand others use them. The moment western countries (where I live) make a complete u-turn on these woke issues and legislate that using alternative pronouns is no longer something you have to do, but a crime you commit, then all the woke pronoun-people will have my full support with me saying that they should be able to use them. But as it stands, the workplace, the executive branch, journalism, media at large and the legislative branch trip over themselves to condemn anybody who dares to citicise, satirise or otherwise does not want to go with this manufactured "mainstream".
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. - Just fell out of the sky, learning that this quote is not from Voltaire but from a neo nazi. The more you know. Its origin changes little about its usefulness though. And I think I get where you are coming from. Your sentiment here is that anybody can feel indignation about being criticised and anybody who criticises can answer with "not-voltaires" quote. But this is not the point of the quote. Or at least it is not my point. Even though it is not per random chance that the stereotypical picture of a crazy lefty is one who feels indignation. No, the point is about not being able to criticise. There is a mountain of difference between your critizism not being wanted and your citicism not being allowed or opressively silenced. And the simple truth about two different groups here is this: one can burn a st. george flag (I am using Britain for a specific example) and does not have to fear the police knocking on their door the next day. The other group can expect a knock from the police after not burning, but simply posting a meme about the pride flag. Saw that one recently, coming out of Britain I think. Criticism is not allowed. And along the spectrum we are talking here, it is forbidden (also by the law) in only one direction.
It just ends up being meaningless. It only sounds good to people who lack self awareness. - With the upper explanation in mind, I think awareness of destructive societal trends, their influence on art, legislation, media bias, and the beginnings of authoritarianism is also very important. Be aware.
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