[xapata]

Knowing that explicit white nationalism could be problematic, a white nationalist might speak in code. This is similar to the way someone might speak in code when discussing criminal activity, since it's illegal to surveil non-criminal discussion. The question in court is whether a reasonable person would interpret a conversation as normal speech or criminal code. "The eagle flies at midnight," is obvious code. Other speech is not so clear.

> It could easily just as much imply that he just wants to see more Americans being successful founders in the tech industry in addition to Asians?

First, Asians can be and often are Americans.

Second, why would Bannon bring up this point that more "Americans" should be successful founders? Is it that our schools are failing? No, because Asians attend the same schools. Ah, I've got it. Perhaps there's a cultural problem with white anglo-saxon protestants: anti-intellectualism and anti-education. Is that what Bannon is getting at?

[refurb]

Knowing that explicit white nationalism could be problematic, a white nationalist must speak in code.

You have got to be kidding me. Ok, let me play along.

Xapata is clearly a white nationalist! How do I know it? He doesn't speak in white nationalist terms! Those white nationalists need to speak in code, so the evidence is clear!

[xapata]

Not kidding at all. Was my comparison with drug-speak not clear? Let me try again.

Suppose I'm a nice girl. A guy just asked me if I was free to go to dinner tonight. I don't want to offend, so I say, "I'm sorry, I'm washing my hair tonight." The guy now has a conundrum. He can interpret the statement literally and ask if I'm free for dinner tomorrow night, or he can interpret it as that I do not want to eat dinner with him. Humans speak in codes and implications regularly.

In Bannon's case, we must decide what interpretation of his thought is the most plausible cause of his speech. I can come up with two options:

1. Bannon believes there's something hindering the ethnic and cultural majority from technological entrepreneurialism and we should address that problem.

2. Bannon believes the number of ethnic minorities achieving economic success will decrease the prevalence of the historically common culture. Being of that culture, he dislikes this trend.

Are there any other interpretations? What's the most plausible to you?

[gozur88]

>Knowing that explicit white nationalism could be problematic, a white nationalist might speak in code.

This is a terribly dishonest debating tactic.

[xapata]

Yes, it's quite frustrating to try to discuss topics when people won't speak clearly.

[gozur88]

I meant on your part, obviously. Once you start assigning new meanings to other people's words you can make them into any kind of people you want.

[xapata]

Not obvious at all. I thought we were sharing a frustration for the recent trend in politics to make implications rather than explicit statements.

I didn't think I was assigning new meaning, but only exactly what Bannon intended. I can, obviously, never be certain I've understood him correctly, so I just make my best guess. It's reasonable to expect that different people will make different guesses.

What is your interpretation of Bannon's words?

[gozur88]

>I didn't think I was assigning new meaning, but only exactly what Bannon intended. I can, obviously, never be certain I've understood him correctly, so I just make my best guess.

Why are you guessing at all? Why are you assuming he isn't saying what he means?

>What is your interpretation of Bannon's words?

What they mean in English.

[xapata]

> saying what he means

> What they mean in English.

If I told you to "take a hike" would you believe I was encouraging you to walk outdoors?

[xapata]

> What they mean in English

Let's pretend English is my second language. Could you paraphrase Bannon to help me understand him more clearly?