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provocative phrases

(136 Posts)
PECS Mon 26-Oct-20 11:30:53

I noticed someone us the phrase virtual signaling on a thread.. It is on a par with politically correct.

It seems to me that people use these phrases, constructed deliberately as political put downs, to undermine someone /something that is trying to improve things for others.

Are the people who do this feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed by the action that they are deriding? If someone tries to to good by raising the profile of a charity or of a situation that is causing distress they are 'accused' of 'virtue signalling' as if it is a bad thing to try to improve things for other people.

If someone tries to improve the experience of others through challenging the status quo /currently accepted language/attitude etc they are 'accused' of being politically correct...as if it was a bad thing to be thoughtful of others!

Do these phrases grate with you or do you think they are valid?

lemongrove Mon 26-Oct-20 16:58:39

suziewoozie

Really ? I’m one of the most articulate posters on GN and rarely lose arguments

This sounds rather Trumpian

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 16:59:02

I explained on another thread how such abbreviations/acronyms save me a lot of time . Not bothering to check facts and happily posting untruths is also a lazy way of being critical and much used on here by some RW posters

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:00:34

But what I posted is true nevertheless

lemongrove Mon 26-Oct-20 17:01:02

Shall we leave politics out of this thread? It surely wasn’t the intention of the OP.

biba70 Mon 26-Oct-20 17:01:09

'chill' or 'take a chill pill' is a vastly well known insult thrown at anyone you disagree with and argues the point.

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:01:51

Nothing wrong with being open about your abilities - I’m also an excellent cook and superb organiser.

janipat Mon 26-Oct-20 17:02:56

Oh dear, some egos are gargantuan ????

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:03:03

This could be seen as a lazy way to stop an argument you are losing ?

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:03:42

Meaning?

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:05:06

My first post at 17.03 was to lemon

biba70 Mon 26-Oct-20 17:06:08

typical internet Forum losing tricks- sad.

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:06:44

You can see why I’m a gender critical feminist

janipat Mon 26-Oct-20 17:07:12

May I refer you to my post of 16.21 which appears to show some lack of consistency?

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:11:04

janipat

May I refer you to my post of 16.21 which appears to show some lack of consistency?

Would you care to articulate what you mean please a little more clearly?

PECS Mon 26-Oct-20 17:14:46

Swearing at another person in a debate can be a sign of losing reasoned debate OR it can be sheer frustration from a reasoned debater at another debater who is no longer debating with reason! grin

janipat Mon 26-Oct-20 17:18:46

suziewoozie Would you care to articulate what you mean please a little more clearly?

Sorry I do apologise, and I will assume you didn't intend to present yourself in a snarky, put down way! My post on this thread at 16.21 quotes two of your posts which seem to lack consistency. Perhaps you'd care to comment?

lemongrove Mon 26-Oct-20 17:18:55

It’s only a couple of posters who do it PECS.....everybody else manages to use reasoned debate.
Saying FFS to somebody is lazy and ugly in my view.

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:20:52

PECS

Swearing at another person in a debate can be a sign of losing reasoned debate OR it can be sheer frustration from a reasoned debater at another debater who is no longer debating with reason! grin

Beautifully put ?I also think it’s different online and in RL - the FFS, WTAF are useful online but in RL the whole discussion is different. You can emphasise points differently for one thing by facial expressions or just by throwing a glass of wine over your opponent ?

biba70 Mon 26-Oct-20 17:22:11

lazy and ugly perhaps, but more honest than 'chill'.

Pantglas2 Mon 26-Oct-20 17:24:12

....or just by throwing a glass of wine over your opponent ?’

That’s a joke, right?

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:26:50

Pantglas2

....or just by throwing a glass of wine over your opponent ?’

That’s a joke, right?

Errrr- let me think about that.

PECS Mon 26-Oct-20 17:27:35

Ah well I use FFS in frustration ..a habit I know but I do not mind an occasional expletive. Either in my direction, if I have been a dumb-cluck about something, or at others who have messed up! I don't like to hear it as a regular part of someone's speech 'effing& blinding' but I do not consider an occasional swear word a sign of ill education or inability to use the English language with skill.

growstuff Mon 26-Oct-20 17:32:38

In that case PECS, you're not a "pearl clutcher" (as I understand it). My understanding (and I could be wrong) is that clutching pearls is like reaching for smelling salts.

suziewoozie Mon 26-Oct-20 17:37:08

Yes grow and imo is always faux

PECS Mon 26-Oct-20 17:47:28

growstuff phew..I don't have any to clutch! grin