Yep, then the argument becomes about why words and concepts have the definitions they do. It’s far more frustrating when you have to explain the utility of understanding what we call “imperialism” as a process driven by monopoly finance capital, how it works, etc, rather than just something broad like “influence.” It’s useful to understand concepts more deeply because you can do more with it in practice, like finding weak points and whatnot, but at that point the argument is entirely off of what it was originally about.
It’s a classic debatebro tactic. Making things about semantics makes it basically entirely subjective and completely pointless.
I used to do this thing where I’d predict their behaviour before they did something and it’d usually shut them down. It’s only something that should be done with people arguing in obvious bad faith, but still.
I’ve joked elsewhere about making a flowchart, but I do seriously think it’d be a useful tool to make users realise how much of their thoughts are just deeply ingrained propaganda
Agreed! It’s constant and doesn’t actually say anything. I don’t take issue with imperialism because of its name, but because of its real world causes and effects!
Yep, then the argument becomes about why words and concepts have the definitions they do. It’s far more frustrating when you have to explain the utility of understanding what we call “imperialism” as a process driven by monopoly finance capital, how it works, etc, rather than just something broad like “influence.” It’s useful to understand concepts more deeply because you can do more with it in practice, like finding weak points and whatnot, but at that point the argument is entirely off of what it was originally about.
That’s what I like about materialism, if you’re not dogmatic it’s infinitely extendable
Yep!
It’s a classic debatebro tactic. Making things about semantics makes it basically entirely subjective and completely pointless.
I used to do this thing where I’d predict their behaviour before they did something and it’d usually shut them down. It’s only something that should be done with people arguing in obvious bad faith, but still.
I’ve joked elsewhere about making a flowchart, but I do seriously think it’d be a useful tool to make users realise how much of their thoughts are just deeply ingrained propaganda
Agreed! It’s constant and doesn’t actually say anything. I don’t take issue with imperialism because of its name, but because of its real world causes and effects!
You have the patience of a saint, I could never do what you do. You also have a wealth of knowledge. o7 to you for all your hard work
That’s too much, I’m just a former libbed-up debatebro that’s trying to put an addiction to a better use. I appreciate the kind words though, comrade!
And humble too! Wowee
shtop