Here is yet another comment about civility or the lack thereof within the blogosphere. I am someone who appreciates language and the power of words. I enjoy expanding my vocabulary and find posts such as this one to be interesting.
One of the reasons that I enjoy blogging is that it is an easy way to practice writing. The objective in every post is to create something eloquent and interesting to read. Part of doing that is learning how to use my vocabulary more effectively than I do now. Sometimes I am successful and other times I judge my posts to be horrible.
But this is why I practice and this is part of why I read so many different authors. I enjoy the change in styles and look for practical tips that I can apply to my own writing.
It would be unfair to claim that I have never made any mistakes or never offended any readers. Both apply to me. It would also be untrue for me to claim that I am a defender of P.C. terms. I am not. At the same time I am aware of the words that I use and intentionally refrain from some because I view them as being exceptionally offensive.
I think that there are moments in which some of the exceptionally offensive words are necessary and useful. These are few and far between.
That being said, there is a term that someone coined that I find a bit offensive. It is leftard.
As you can imagine it is a term that is used derisively to describe liberals and people on the left.
It is an ugly word. That is part of why some people like to use it to disparage others. Again, I do not claim to have never crossed the line. But the beauty of having your own blog is that you can share thoughts and you can demonstrate that the world is not black and white.
This particular word bothers me because of its etymology. I went to school with some mentally challenged individuals who teased by other students. They were called all sorts of ugly names. In tenth grade I had a fist fight with another student because he called one of them a retard.
So maybe I can point to this time as being the basis for my distaste for this word. What I do know for certain is that I have never seen it used by a person who had a strong command of the language and or an ability to debate a point using fact and logic. Somewhere out there is an exception to this rule, but I haven’t met them.
It is a sad thing. With the coming presidential election I hope that we see less mud slinging and more critical thought. It is not that much to ask, is it.
Whew, I thought for a moment you were going to give as an example of someone recently using the word Pr*%K.
But hey when the shoe and mood fits, it sometimes slips out.
You offend me all the time. It’s part of your charm 😉
Please tell me what you find offensive so that I may continue doing so. I wouldn’t want to let you down. 😉
Mark,
That is true far too often.
“so that if I use them people understand I am really serious”
Exactly. Only in the blogosphere, instead of a warning, it is usually construed as an invitation for bloggers to pile on and act like even bigger assholes.
You offend me all the time. It’s part of your charm 😉 I wish I could write with the abandon you do. This year I am trying a new format…let me know what you think after the new year.
Alison,
I suppose that it does, but I haven’t seen it.
Mark,
I am no prude. There are more than a handful of posts in which I let loose. And I’ll agree that the use of four letter words is not always enough to measure someones intellect.
However, the bloggers I am thinking of might be the exception. 😉
FP,
I swear more than I should, but I try to limit it. If for no other reason than I want the words to retain some sort of shock value so that if I use them people understand I am really serious.
I’m grateful that you choose to use self control when it comes to obscene language. Whoever said, “The tongue can cut like a knife”, understands the effect verbal abuse can have on a person. Thanks.
Well, I’m guilty of using fucktard a LOT.
And yes, I’ve been in many a sparring match with bloggers over the word.
Bottom line for me is that I don’t think it’s an issue unless someone makes it an issue. For example, I will never use it here, or any derivation thereof, knowing your feelings about it.
I respect that you find it offensive, and will act accordingly.
I have also used leftyloon and rightwingnut.
Of course, a lot of what I write is satirical or tongue-in-cheek and it requires a certain lingo.
Similarly, I don’t think the use of four-letter words is a barometer of one’s intellect.
Those who claim it is are usually doing so in an effort to discredit someone’s argument. I find that to be a trick of debate rather than a valid point.
I’ve never seen or heard “leftard.” Does its equivalent exist: rightard?
As for critical thought and mudslinging vis-Ã -vis the 2008 elections, I’m afraid that you are asking a lot.