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by tomlock 2658 days ago
> They worry that a lack of familiarity with a topic, or an unthinking word choice

What topic? What word choice?

My point stands.

1 comments

The article is talking about people using political correctness to bully others. A specific choice of topic and words is not important here.
Oh but it is, if a choice of words determines if someone is being bullied or not.
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.

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?
Political correctness, as a phrase, does not adequately convey meaning in the same way "common sense" does not.
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?
Perhaps the author could just describe the underlying "real" phenomena. Do you really feel like the author is incapable of doing that? Why?
That's exactly the point: a choice of words should not lead to bullying.
That's not the point the article is making.