• intensely_human@lemm.eeEnglish
    415·
    2 months ago

    The problem with the concept of a “dog whistle” is that it’s non-falsifiable. Anyone at any time can declare that word X actually refers, secretly, to concept Y. No evidence required, and if people buy the claim then it makes the concept of X un-conveyable.

    • gAlienLifeform@lemmy.worldEnglish
      81·
      2 months ago

      The problem with that problem is you can say any kind of accusation of racist behavior is non-falsifiable in the same way (“You can’t prove I was shitty to them because they were black, maybe I was shitty to them because they’re just a jerk”), but everyone knows racist behavior and dog whistles still exist

      if people buy the claim

      This is a good demonstration of why the concept of dog whistles isn’t really a problem, because when it’s a totally absurd accusation people aren’t going to buy it.

      • skulblakaEnglish
        101·
        2 months ago

        because when it’s a totally absurd accusation people aren’t going to buy it.

        👌 would like a word

        I don’t know where you’re getting your people from, but around where I’m at, people will believe any and all sorts of absurd bullshit constantly, that’s kind of been one of the major problems surrounding our upcoming election.