There are times when I want to strangle political correctness. Unfortunately, it seems for some lacking knowledge of proper argument structure that it is the only way to keep them from falling into inevitable traps of ad hominem or lack of manners.

So, there we are stuck between a rock and hard place and frankly, it just makes me want to be left alone. Maybe I'm weak because I concede the field, but I refuse to waste time engaging the ignorant who seem to be so enthralled with themselves.

Political correctness is what I speak to others, truth is what I speak to friends.

It is as if the words "discussion", "debate" and "argue" have become worse swearwords than anything else.

Any meaningful discussion has died, and yes, damn it, that specifically includes people who have different opinions thrashing it out (politely and without ad hominem attacks), until both or every party have uncovered, ceded or defended the weak and strong points in their arguments.

There is absolutely nothing meaningful, and also no discussion in people stating "I like A" and "I think B is nice" and both nodding sagely about the freedom of opinions and going on their ways blithely smiling. That's not discussion, that's not even vaguely interacting.

It's as if at least two whole generations were taught that debate and arguments are "euw" and "very bad". Add to that, and I can't for the life of me understand this, that people feel personally (as in in their very person) attacked when someone argues and defends a position not their own.

And don't start me on that particular Cult of Nice surrounding women, or the fact that like a horde of pecking hens they police this. Here are other articles which exemplarify what I talk about (though I don't mean just fandom or academe, this is valid for ANY kind of discussion):

http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/12/t...

http://therealdeepsix.tumblr.com/post...

http://dandelionofthanatos.tumblr.com...

I didn't grow up in a culture of nice. No one ever told me to shut up for the sake of it, instead I learned to argue and debate without engaging in personal attacks. No one admonished me I should be nice and quiet for being female either. I am, quite plainly, not at all socialised this way.

Now try interacting with people who were and are and don't even reflect on what they say and do there! I'm sick of it.

I grew up in a house with feral arguments. Most started as debates because someone got bored, but generally ended up with one holding so hard to a ridiculous premise or invalidate evidence to support the point that there was no acknowledgement or concession that the field was truly lost. Of course, add in the alcohol and what was probably the beginning of four brain tumors and it makes sense. Just not fun.

Vivian wrote: "I grew up in a house with feral arguments. Most started as debates because someone got bored, but generally ended up with one holding so hard to a ridiculous premise or invalidate evidence to suppo..."

I grew up in a household where academic debate was considered the height of fun, with or without alcohol (which usually made the whole thing milder if anything). I enjoy intellectually stimulating debate, of course and as pointed out, there's the necessity to stay off personal attacks and off taking arguments personally. That way you can even have meaningful political debate.

Truth be told, if I had the choice between "cult of nice" and "feral arguments", I'd always take the arguments.

Hey, I've been known to toss a fire grenade or two when bored and watch the fallout at events.

LOL