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Actually, I think it's a bit more complicated than that, Chol (and I think this thread is now completely compromised, so if another thread does start I would like it to be a more general examination of the principles at work here, rather than trying to decide whether CyclepathGIRL is really that dumb, which could in fact be the topic, since somebody failed to put in a topic abstract to guide the conversation).
In a sense, CyclepathGIRL is pretty much free to say what she likes, as long as she does not become such a pain in the arse that Tom ends up booting her. She's clearly looking for attention (vide the surprisingly frequent coy references to all the naughty stuff she likes to do in bed, and of course the fact that one of her first posts was a kind invitation for us all to ask questions about her), but if that were a sin on Barbelith we'd have goddamn tumbleweeds. If we believe that she is being a (and this is my new, shiny, Six Feet Under-inspired catchphrase) fucking moron, we have the freedom to tell her that she is being a fucking moron, in a variety of handy and descriptive fashions.
Hopefully, the fact that people are calling her a fucking moron, or alternatively explaining slowly, carefully and gently why, although she is obviously a very intelligent young person, her behaviour could be seen as fucking moronic in this instance, will make her, and indeed all of us, think more about who we are and how we think about other people.
Except the muslims and the black folks. Obviously. They don't think like us. Speaking of which, I saw this TV program where two black men were fighting for cash. "World Championship Boxing", I think it was called. Crazy what those black folks will do, huh?
However, to get back on off-topic; it's a bit like the "cunt" question. Some people on Barbelith are very offended by the use of the word "cunt" as an insult or derogatory term in general, some by its use specifically as a term of abuse directed metonymically at women (there's quite an involved thread in the Head Shop about this, fact fans). Others use it much as others would use "fellow", or indeed "the". It is entirely fair and right that people shoudl be able to make their views on this issue felt, but if we were getting to the stage where use of the term would mean, say, instant booting with no appeal, I think the board would be a much less safe space in general.
People have the right to say stupid, offensive, charmless and (yes, it's that term again) fucking moronic things on Barbelith, within reason. Other people have the right to re-educate, inform, chastise or just abuse them right back. It's an open system.
If I were a Conversation moderator, I would probably observe in vatic manner that this is the sort of thing that lurking before posting might help with, but never mind. |
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