If we lived in a society where scrutiny and vitriol were pointed only at the ruling class, we’d live in a utopia, but we do not and therefore should not. As society sits, making fun of someone’s physical appearance or disability yields the ultimate conclusion that everyone should feel, for these characteristics, innately lesser, and that’s not cool.
For instance, and to be topical, would you feel comfortable hearing someone refer to Neil Gaiman as a twiggy, autistic rapist? Because I wouldn’t. No need to associate weight and processing difficulties with the propensity and desire to hurt other.
Gaiman isn’t in charge of a country or a ruling body, so I’d be with you on that one. I stand by what I specifically said, even though I don’t take as hard of a line on it as some others in the comments. Rulers who are malignantly narcissistic cannot be dealt with politely. It has sadly been tried.
In the end, I don’t disagree with the idea of making fun of someone in power, only the language used to do it. Diversifying and sharpening the average person’s lexicon, or creating/repurposing words, would yield the same benefit without the detriment. Obviously the latter is simpler than the former so it’s my pick. I was a fan of that trend circa ~2012. Affluenza still gets a giggle out of me.
I’m not contesting any of the logic of your position, but I’m just not there at the moment. If you can take the high road while people are dying, I think that’s perfectly admirable. It’s just not me.
If we lived in a society where scrutiny and vitriol were pointed only at the ruling class, we’d live in a utopia, but we do not and therefore should not. As society sits, making fun of someone’s physical appearance or disability yields the ultimate conclusion that everyone should feel, for these characteristics, innately lesser, and that’s not cool.
For instance, and to be topical, would you feel comfortable hearing someone refer to Neil Gaiman as a twiggy, autistic rapist? Because I wouldn’t. No need to associate weight and processing difficulties with the propensity and desire to hurt other.
Gaiman isn’t in charge of a country or a ruling body, so I’d be with you on that one. I stand by what I specifically said, even though I don’t take as hard of a line on it as some others in the comments. Rulers who are malignantly narcissistic cannot be dealt with politely. It has sadly been tried.
In the end, I don’t disagree with the idea of making fun of someone in power, only the language used to do it. Diversifying and sharpening the average person’s lexicon, or creating/repurposing words, would yield the same benefit without the detriment. Obviously the latter is simpler than the former so it’s my pick. I was a fan of that trend circa ~2012. Affluenza still gets a giggle out of me.
I’m not contesting any of the logic of your position, but I’m just not there at the moment. If you can take the high road while people are dying, I think that’s perfectly admirable. It’s just not me.
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