Thoughtful discussion of the Day

[Harri]

I was doing my daily read through of BBC when I happened upon this article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13333013

Now, I've heard of this movement before, recently. I've thought about it some, and I've mostly dismissed the logic behind attempting to reclaim the word "slut."

If you missed the back story, the 'slut' protests are taking place thanks to a police officer that stated that if women did not dress like sluts they wouldn't be raped.

It's illogical to blame a woman's dress for rape. It's also demeaning to men, claiming that men are such raging monsters that they can't control themselves when they see skin. I think this part is perfectly understandable. Only men can stop the vast majority of female rape violence (the other portion of rape is attributed to male on male violence, and a very small portion of female rape violence).

But, reclaiming the word slut?

It's a horrible word and it shouldn't be used period. But, I am one person. What do yous guys think?

[Mad Anthony]

I was raped by a demoman once.

[Harri]

I was raped by a demoman once.

Oh no, bless your poor troll heart.

[Mad Anthony]

proud slut right here!!!

[Sirnak]

Words were created to convey one's thoughts to society.

The word slut was first used to describe sluts. In such, it is a word that serves the same purpose as any other word: putting an understandable code on your feelings and/or thoughts and communicating this code to eventual comrades. A word is not good or bad. A word exists only if it has something to describe. Sluts exist. Therefore, the word slut should also exist.

If you go by the usual thinking that this word hurts feelings of some people (or even many people), then think about this: the word nigger. Yes, the word nigger. Originally, this word had nothing pejorative. Words are never born out of a pejorative context. Nigger was just a word like any other used to refer to black people. It is insulting because some people with racist intents started to use this word with hatred. Banishing, reclaiming, this word from your vocabulary, if not already done, won't make you any less racist. Banish the word slut and people will just find another word to describe sluts and, in due time, the successor of the word slut shall arise because people will still find a way, a word, to identify sluts. Maybe it'll be bitch. Maybe, with time, bitch shall become the new slut. At any rate, think about it: black people, between themselves, can call themselves niggers without looking racists at all. Why is that? Because, coming from a black person calling another person a nigger, it is almost impossible for this word to comminicate a racist hatred or fear. The meaning is clear. That's all there is to it. It's a question of what you want to communicate with the word MUCH MORE than what the word actually means.

If the word slut disappears (or is reclaimed or whatever), the best you'll manage to accomplish is just to push people to find a new word to communicate their hatred. Work on society, not on words. The code comes from the mind. Control the mind and the mind shall create another code to communicate. Let me leave you with these words of wisdom prononced by one of the greatest character ever written which I won't even give you the name because I'm an heartless bastard:

"A name? What does it matter? Or... do you need a name to describe me? A definition by words is merely a means to deceive oneself. It's meaningless before the truth. What matters is how you perceive things. The slightest shift, then life and death no longer have any meaning."

[GoDM1N]

I was raped by a demoman once.

Oh no, bless your poor troll heart.

I lol'd


Anyway, what do I think? I think words only have power if you give them the power. Personally I think people should stop getting so butt hurt over verbal abuse. That said its still annoying hearing teens saying Nigga and fag in game over and over cuz they think it makes them cool.

[GoDM1N]

Words were created to convey one's thoughts to society.

The word slut was first used to describe sluts. In such, it is a word that serves the same purpose as any other word: putting an understandable code on your feelings and/or thoughts and communicating this code to eventual comrades. A word is not good or bad. A word exists only if it has something to describe. Sluts exist. Therefore, the word slut should also exist.

If you go by the usual thinking that this word hurts feelings of some people (or even many people), then think about this: the word nigger. Yes, the word nigger. Originally, this word had nothing pejorative. Words are never born out of a pejorative context. Nigger was just a word like any other used to refer to black people. It is insulting because some people with racist intents started to use this word with hatred. Banishing, reclaiming, this word from your vocabulary, if not already done, won't make you any less racist. Banish the word slut and people will just find another word to describe sluts and, in due time, the successor of the word slut shall arise because people will still find a way, a word, to identify sluts. Maybe it'll be bitch. Maybe, with time, bitch shall become the new slut. At any rate, think about it: black people, between themselves, can call themselves niggers without looking racists at all. Why is that? Because, coming from a black person calling another person a nigger, it is almost impossible for this word to comminicate a racist hatred or fear. The meaning is clear. That's all there is to it. It's a question of what you want to communicate with the word MUCH MORE than what the word actually means.

If the word slut disappears (or is reclaimed or whatever), the best you'll manage to accomplish is just to push people to find a new word to communicate their hatred. Work on society, not on words. The code comes from the mind. Control the mind and the mind shall create another code to communicate. Let me leave you with these words of wisdom prononced by one of the greatest character ever written which I won't even give you the name because I'm an heartless bastard:

"A name? What does it matter? Or... do you need a name to describe me? A definition by words is merely a means to deceive oneself. It's meaningless before the truth. What matters is how you perceive things. The slightest shift, then life and death no longer have any meaning."

Agreed

[johnnyG]

I was doing my daily read through of BBC when I happened upon this article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13333013

Now, I've heard of this movement before, recently. I've thought about it some, and I've mostly dismissed the logic behind attempting to reclaim the word "slut."

If you missed the back story, the 'slut' protests are taking place thanks to a police officer that stated that if women did not dress like sluts they wouldn't be raped.

It's illogical to blame a woman's dress for rape. It's also demeaning to men, claiming that men are such raging monsters that they can't control themselves when they see skin. I think this part is perfectly understandable. Only men can stop the vast majority of female rape violence (the other portion of rape is attributed to male on male violence, and a very small portion of female rape violence).

But, reclaiming the word slut?

It's a horrible word and it shouldn't be used period. But, I am one person. What do yous guys think?

Fortunately women are sluts, Ive been taking that for granted. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for that.

[Mad Anthony]

Fortunately women are sluts, Ive been taking that for granted. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for that.

Lot lizards don't count johnny

[Cash]

I'm with Sirnak on this one. Words are simply used to convey meaning, and the meaning and context of words can change over time. Words are only offensive because someone at some point arbitrarily decided to make them offensive.

Let me leave you with these words of wisdom prononced by one of the greatest character ever written which I won't even give you the name because I'm an heartless bastard:

"A name? What does it matter? Or... do you need a name to describe me? A definition by words is merely a means to deceive oneself. It's meaningless before the truth. What matters is how you perceive things. The slightest shift, then life and death no longer have any meaning."

And I'm just gonna leave this link here...http://xenosaga.wikia.com/wiki/Luis_Virgil

[johnnyG]

Fortunately women are sluts, Ive been taking that for granted. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for that.

Lot lizards don't count johnny

Lot Lizard:

A truck stop whore

A female in her 40's who sells her body by going from vehicle to vehicle at Truck Stops usually selling roast beef or brown eye, or what ever a demo can afford.

[Ackybur]

Fortunately women are sluts, Ive been taking that for granted. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for that.

Lot lizards don't count johnny

Lot Lizard:

A truck stop whore

A female in her 40's who sells her body by going from vehicle to vehicle at Truck Stops usually selling roast beef or brown eye, or what ever a demo can afford.

Keeping us informed?

[Sirnak]

I'm with Sirnak on this one. Words are simply used to convey meaning, and the meaning and context of words can change over time. Words are only offensive because someone at some point arbitrarily decided to make them offensive.

Let me leave you with these words of wisdom prononced by one of the greatest character ever written which I won't even give you the name because I'm an heartless bastard:

"A name? What does it matter? Or... do you need a name to describe me? A definition by words is merely a means to deceive oneself. It's meaningless before the truth. What matters is how you perceive things. The slightest shift, then life and death no longer have any meaning."

And I'm just gonna leave this link here...http://xenosaga.wikia.com/wiki/Luis_Virgil

You, sir, have learned my respect thanks to your awesome spy skills and awesome knowledge base. Please accept my most sincere appreciation. :3

[johnnyG]

[/quote]

Keeping us informed?[/quote]

Yep.

[Ackybur]

Keeping us informed?[/quote]

Yep.[/quote]



You and Anthony are saints.

[Mad Anthony]

You and Anthony are saints.

Saint anthony.. I like it.

[BoB Dolen]

So tired of people giving a shit about a word.....

[Rustic Apple]

So tired of people giving a shit about a word.....

If no one gave shits about words, we wouldn't have language, silly billy!

In all seriousness, all "curse" and/or "bad" words are subjective. Someone just decided to give that particular word that particular meaning, as I believe Sirnak has already masterfully said. This reminds me of a discussion I was having with some friends a while back about switching the meanings of what people deem to be "curse" and "non-curse" words... It eventually just degraded into random shit, but it was nice while it lasted.