This weekly roundup thread is intended for all culture war posts. 'Culture war' is vaguely defined, but it basically means controversial issues that fall along set tribal lines. Arguments over culture war issues generate a lot of heat and little light, and few deeply entrenched people ever change their minds. This thread is for voicing opinions and analyzing the state of the discussion while trying to optimize for light over heat.
Optimistically, we think that engaging with people you disagree with is worth your time, and so is being nice! Pessimistically, there are many dynamics that can lead discussions on Culture War topics to become unproductive. There's a human tendency to divide along tribal lines, praising your ingroup and vilifying your outgroup - and if you think you find it easy to criticize your ingroup, then it may be that your outgroup is not who you think it is. Extremists with opposing positions can feed off each other, highlighting each other's worst points to justify their own angry rhetoric, which becomes in turn a new example of bad behavior for the other side to highlight.
We would like to avoid these negative dynamics. Accordingly, we ask that you do not use this thread for waging the Culture War. Examples of waging the Culture War:
-
Shaming.
-
Attempting to 'build consensus' or enforce ideological conformity.
-
Making sweeping generalizations to vilify a group you dislike.
-
Recruiting for a cause.
-
Posting links that could be summarized as 'Boo outgroup!' Basically, if your content is 'Can you believe what Those People did this week?' then you should either refrain from posting, or do some very patient work to contextualize and/or steel-man the relevant viewpoint.
In general, you should argue to understand, not to win. This thread is not territory to be claimed by one group or another; indeed, the aim is to have many different viewpoints represented here. Thus, we also ask that you follow some guidelines:
-
Speak plainly. Avoid sarcasm and mockery. When disagreeing with someone, state your objections explicitly.
-
Be as precise and charitable as you can. Don't paraphrase unflatteringly.
-
Don't imply that someone said something they did not say, even if you think it follows from what they said.
-
Write like everyone is reading and you want them to be included in the discussion.
On an ad hoc basis, the mods will try to compile a list of the best posts/comments from the previous week, posted in Quality Contribution threads and archived at /r/TheThread. You may nominate a comment for this list by clicking on 'report' at the bottom of the post and typing 'Actually a quality contribution' as the report reason.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
I think if Hlynka should be unbanned if he does “The Hock”, with photographic evidence to back up his claim. Trial by ordeal.
I’m not even remotely kidding.
That might be the funniest deep cut mashup of internet niche humor ever produced. It would be a scream come true.
I would kill myself if this happened.
Then again, Hlynka probably has a much higher chance of surviving the Hock than Skookum does.
Place your bets people, military training and oppositional defiant personality disorder versus medical training and weapons-grade autism. Who can weather the wastes first?
More options
Context Copy link
I am on standby to make the rdrama thread if that ever happens.
Much as I realise it's suicide to do so and that consciously I can not condone it, deep down a part of me very much wants someone from here to do The Hock (and hopefully live to tell us the tale) because the memes it will generate will be fire.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
You know, and I had been meaning to ask in the fun thread this week, what happened to Mr Hock?
He was banned for only ever posting about the Hock. His reddit account is still active, so clearly he hasn't gone into the woods to his death.
More options
Context Copy link
I asked the same question about a month ago. Apparently he
chickened outcame to his senses and realized it was a suicide mission. He went on a big mountain climbing trip instead, which is less fun but more sensible.More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link