Quote:
Originally Posted by browser2920
But as you stated it is important to differentiate between good and bad arguments. And I agree. There are lots of words you can use to do this. A weak argument; a factually unsupported argument; an illogical argument. Stupid,otoh, is a lack of intelligence; slow minded; obtuse. Is it really necessary to use a term like that to describe an argument you disagree with? Do you really think people will separate you calling their position stupid without taking it personally?
Ok I really should pretend to care about Christmas and stop beating a horse to death on the internet, so one final point
I think it is important to contrast what you think is
good general advice and what you think is so egregious that
moderation action must enforce. I think you should be far more cautious with the latter and keep a wide gap between the too. Honestly, I take "bad argument" and "stupid argument" and "illogical argument" as all pretty darned synonymous but sure I suppose stupid is a hair more likely to raise hackles. So if I was giving advice I would suggest people think carefully and use the less provoking thing - regulars will note I care quite a bit about the language we use for instance to describe trans people. But I think there is an important distinction between offering that advice and saying this problem is so bad that moderator fiat must end it. Because now you are up against a level of tone policing on the forum where people have to be carefully sanitizing their posts to eliminate even the most minor of insults going above and beyond Rule 1 of the forum and applying to arguments as well as just people. And even if all of this is done, and everyone sits up straight and whatever else you think is
good general advice, we haven't really moved forward in solving the actual problems in political discourse of which lack of civility I would put fairly low down on the list.