Stuff like “stupid, idiot, moron, dumb,” you know the ones. If you’re insulting someone for their shitty garbage beliefs and all you can manage to come up with is ways to insult their intelligence, appearance, or other aspect about them that has nothing to do with their cruelty and shittyness, you should maybe reevaluate.

Just saw a thread on here where a user was stubbornly refusing to adjust their language when another user politely pointed out that it was harmful to our comrades as well, and the person refusing was massively upvoted and the comrade trying to explain why it was harmful was downvoted. Thought we were better than that

I’m not calling anyone out, just wanted to make a post explaining my feelings on it and that when stuff like that happens (not the intelligence based insults, I know its hard to switch, but getting insulted for asking people to avoid them) it hurts and makes me feel less welcome here </3

Using words like “You’re being ignorant” or “That’s a cruel belief” is actually more effective than just going “lmao idiot”.

If those are the words you actually mean to convey I’d say use them instead :)

Edit: if the reception this post got isn’t a good proof that this is something this community needs to grapple with, I don’t know what is.

  • drinkinglakewater [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    0·
    4 years ago

    usually when i say “stupid” or “dumb” i mean ignorant or uncritical or thoughtless or uncaring or whatever, is this ok or is it like people dont knw my intent when i say those words so i shouldnt use them

      • Randomdog [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
        1·
        4 years ago

        This is the bit of your post that needed to be in the main body.

        Using words like “You’re being ignorant” or “That’s a cruel belief” is actually more effective than just going “lmao idiot”.

        People have been calling eachother stupid in every language since before your grandparents were born, it’s nothing new. Saying “Yo that’s a shitheaded value system” is something novel so it’s more likely to catch said shithead off base and MIGHT make them think.

        • QuillQuote [they/them]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
          1·
          4 years ago

          You’re right, it would have helped communicate what I mean, I’ll add it :)

          I’m trying my best, communication, especially when its contentious or people are pushing back is really difficult for me