RnF much more interesting since FE died

[Alawen]

Originally Posted by quido [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I don't watch stupid preachy shit like South Park. And I disagree. One must be the change one sees in the world! I don't care if angst-laden homosexuals are offended by the word "faggot;" there are other demographics that see it as something else entirely. Unlike the word the word "******," the word "faggot" has another accepted connotation among a far-reaching group of people. Who made a bunch of leather-clad homosexuals the authority on semantics? It's just a word, anyways. The implication is in the mouth of the speaker. If people want to get bent out of shape making assumptions and taking things the wrong way, they can go for it.

I suggest we all do our part to eliminate the homosexual-related connotation sometimes attached to the beautiful masterpiece that is the word "faggot." There was a time when the word "swell" was considered a curse.

The same goes for "retarded." The meaning has evolved, in some contexts, to such a degree that oftentimes "retarded" simply means "masterful," in certain regards anyways. Shawn Lane is retarded at the electric guitar. I think this is the most fitting description of his playing without employing a more long-winded description. Some poor mother of a developmentally-disabled child somewhere would pitch a real fit though if she heard me say that, probably without even catching on to my meaning.

Some people have nothing better to do than go around looking to get offended.

Louis C.K.'s success completely belies the nonchalance with which you want to treat these charged words. If his language were not shocking, his riffs would lose most of their humor.

Some words lose their effects with time--my Irish friend John could care less if I call him a mick, and wop might get you a funny look but probably not a fist in the face. That time has not yet come for the slurs in question. Throw around the words faggot, queer, and gay all you want to, but don't be surprised when most of the population considers you a bigot.

[Hasbinbad]

Originally Posted by Alawen [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I can't really agree with you there. I've been writing professionally for about twenty years now and there is no way to fight the evolution of a living language. It's not worth the time it takes to explain that such as is a two-word preposition and including is a transitive verb. The opening sequence for one of the most iconic television series of all time, Star Trek, shamelessly repeats (see what I did there?) a split infinite. If it doesn't sound awkward, print it or post it.

"Professional writing" is mostly colloquial, which is often general and contextual. Also, often based on wrong definition (delusion). Shared delusion is not evidence.

Specificity is a superior method of communication in that there is less confusion during message transfer.

[Hasbinbad]

Originally Posted by Alawen [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

most of the population

Yeah no. "Most of the population" ARE bigots, so they would look at jeremy as normative.

[quido]

I live with a young lesbian and she enjoys my occasional use of the word "faggot."

[Hasbinbad]

One gay person is also a bigot, therefore all bigotry is A-OK.

[quido]

You're assuming too much, hasbin.

[quido]

Just because it is popular convention to do so doesn't justify it!

[Hasbinbad]

I'm not assuming anything. You used a well-known reason trap to try and justify your bigotry and I called it out for the bullshit that it is.

[Alawen]

Originally Posted by Hasbinbad [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

"Professional writing" is mostly colloquial, which is often general and contextual. Also, often based on wrong definition (delusion). Shared delusion is not evidence.

Specificity is a superior method of communication in that there is less confusion during message transfer.

Your quotes are unnecessary; I get paid to write. There is no question about whether or not I am a professional writer. I am procrastinating on writing a press release at this very moment. It will indeed be filled with industry-specific jargon, most of which I have learned in the past month.

Yours would be a lovely solution if every English speaker had a working vocabulary in excess of 50,000 words. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The most effective method of communication is one that works. This conversation is definitive of differences in our personalities: I tend toward pragmatism and you toward idealism.

You demanded specificity and I gave you consonance. Enjoy it.

[r00t]

young p99 author