[AlexTWithBeard]

The article explains what is meant by political correctness in this case:

What people mean by “political correctness.” … [is] their day-to-day ability to express themselves: They worry that a lack of familiarity with a topic, or an unthinking word choice, could lead to serious social sanctions for them.

It's about a careless word, a misinterpretation, an honest mistake or as little as stating a fact in a questionable context being able to ruin a person's life.

[escape_goat]

The article explains what the article means by political correctness.

The survey question reported in the so-called "Hidden Tribes" report, from which the article derives its statistics, does not explain what is meant by 'political correctness'. It means whatever the respondent thinks it means.

[cma]

According to that I'd say conservative churches and religious University campuses are the biggest PC things out there.

[tomlock]

> They worry that a lack of familiarity with a topic, or an unthinking word choice

What topic? What word choice?

My point stands.

[AlexTWithBeard]

The article is talking about people using political correctness to bully others. A specific choice of topic and words is not important here.

[tomlock]

Oh but it is, if a choice of words determines if someone is being bullied or not.

[aperrien]

I believe that most of this can be solved with better concept of respect. For myself, I choose not to use words that needlessly incite fear in others, or words that create an environment that makes them fear for their safety, or also needlessly and knowingly makes them feel bad about themselves.

It does seem that respect is lacking more and more these days.

[nkurz]

I think you are right that few people self-describe as "politically correct". Could you suggest a short alternative phrase that would improve Hanson's article? Or do you feel that word-choice aside, the referent itself does not exist?

[tomlock]

Political correctness, as a phrase, does not adequately convey meaning in the same way "common sense" does not.

[nkurz]

OK, let's accept that. What's a better phrase that Hanson could use instead, and while still making the same general argument? I agree that "political correctness" is pejorative, but I also think there is some real underlying phenomenon that Hanson is pointing at. What's a less charged term that he can use to better convey his point without creating unnecessary offense?

[AlexTWithBeard]

That's exactly the point: a choice of words should not lead to bullying.

[tomlock]

That's not the point the article is making.