I saw someone expend a formidable amount of mental energy the other day defending the appropriateness of a dehumanizing term: islamofascist*. It struck me that we use terms like these to dehumanize people who we’re accusing of dehumanizing people; for instance: terrorist, sociopath, narcissist, perpetrator, pedophile. What a lot of effort we expend to disavow the kinship of our shared humanity.
It strikes me that mirroring dehumanization is an unproductive social act.
*From BOTF – here. The next post, by Makbara, seems to have been a meta response (if its not, it should be). Makbara, if you did write that as a response, I stand in awe of your ability to sling that many cunningly ordered words together in 18 minutes.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Words
3 comments:
TK,
I just now spotted your post. The real kicker about my response there was that I got completely flogged for it. I thought, what the heck, it was only a parody, people. To be honest though I didn't get very far in the Archangel's screed before it occurred to me this guy needs a few brushstrokes. I was kinda sorry afterwards that I even bothered to post, "Addicted To Posting Posts".
Who on earth are these folks anyway, "RustyTulip", "GimmeCoffee" and "Always" and what ever happened to their sense of humor?
I was so blown away by that experience that I decided a one liner [eom] would do next time this 777 character came along, so I've asked of his latest tirade if he's related to that "Walking Bible" himself Jack 'the-end-is-nigh' Van Impe.
I wish I had known sooner that you cottoned on. It would have given wind to my sails in dealing with the sombre brigades.
Lent:
You can hardly be expected to hobble yourself to better accomodate the limitations of the humor-impaired, can you?
I like lots of people on the fray who do things I wouldn't do, hold opinions I disagree with, etc. GimmeCoffee is one of my pals over there - she's a smart cookie. This, of course, does not mean she's without her blind spots. RustyTulip is (I think) hauteur/cicero. Always I have no clue about.
Some people derive great entertainment value out of being offended, or indignant. Making some lighthearted fun might detract from the experience; you know - mess with their suspension of disbelief. But that's just my guess.
And I really do admire your ability to craft such voluminous, fluid eloquence. Only in my most inspired moments (which are precious and few, for which BOTF and Wikifray should be thankful) could I approach a fluidity of output you seem to maintain consistently.
Makbara, if you did write that as a response, I stand in awe of your ability to sling that many cunningly ordered words together in 18 minutes.
i second that.
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