Every so often I have a build-up of words hitting me from society at large and striking me as off. Today I will ponder why.
- When Musk lists himself as Chief Twit is he trying to be funny? Thats the problem with the internet you can’t read sarcasm. Or facial expression to see if it is tongue in cheek. But for his sake and for my piece of mind let’s put out the definition of twit. NOUN informal BRITISH a silly or foolish person. While I may agree that he often comes across as a major maybe even the chief (for the day) silly 0r foolish person does he really want me thinking that out loud.
2. The “woke” as an insult problem. It may seem clever at first thought to try and turn the word around into a negative. But once you actually take more than a second to think about what you are saying with this mocking you might want to rethink the whole thing. Because what you are trying to say is that being woke is a bad thing. So if one is not woke then one is most likely one of its opposites. Most of which relate to being still asleep. Hypnotized, mesmerized. All of which seem to be states of not thinking or being unconscious or not actively aware. If I have to choose between woke and those mocking woke. I will go with those who are at least awake and not hypnotized.
3. Why are so many people who decry cancel culture so big on banning? ok that is a generalization. There are libertarians who decry cancel culture. but they rarely show up for those being banned.
Definition of Cancel Culture: the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure
Cancel culture as I have witnessed it has generally occurred after repeated bad behaviors have either become known or have occurred. For example men who have used their position to sexually harass or assault women. Some of whom went on to be criminally charged. Some did not but were canceled from there high paying often entertainment industry jobs. Others have expressed racist sexist or used inflammatory rhetoric to gain notice. And I could post many blogs on free speech. But ultimately free speech is not an ultimate limitless thing. And only applies to the government. So if people, even en mass no longer want to hear what someone has to say, then everyone and every company has the right in their domain to not allow these people to push their wares or ideas. Freedom of speech does not mean there is no accountability.
And then I hear about banning books and wonder why all those people decrying cancel culture seem fine with book banning.
ban noun (Entry 2 of 3) 1: legal or formal prohibition 2: censure or condemnation especially through social pressure (Wait didn’t I just read this somewhere up above. hmmm)
The practice of banning books is a form of censorship, from political, legal, religious, moral, or (less often) commercial motives.
Then the Florida law nicknamed the “don’t say gay” law sprang to mind. (see previous post about the federal proposed bill about why these are really concerning to me.) and how they fit into the whole banning/cancelling. But as I tried to read about it they were squirrely about the wording. And it took me off track but in a wordy way. Part of it seemed to hinge on children being instructed in age-appropriate ways. And then said children having discussions are not part of the bill. Ok. And it only applied to teachers. Hence the instruction bit. But the bill actually included teachers, students and third parties. ???? Other than third party part I was like ok maybe people are worried for nothing after all (disclaimer I haven’t been in the third grade or younger for a very long time and don’t have children.) How graphic could sex ed be for straight sex at these ages that you could really have to say very much about transgender and gay. Maybe third graders would want more info.
But then I read this quote.
“This bill is not intended to hurt students,” added Florida state Sen. Kelli Stargel in debate on the legislation. “This bill is not intended to out gay children. This bill is intended to strengthen the family.”
What???? WTF. Whose outing children? But if you are following this womans thinking to not out you are most likely trying to keep the child in. As in the closet. Which I would say is metaphorical child abuse. And I actually think passing of the bill weakens the family in some ways since you are passing on your obligations to the school to monitor you childs non required reading.
Does the bill mean gay and transgender teachers can’t teach below the fourth grade in florida because students might ask questions they would have to answer that would break the law and put them in legal jeopardy? The law needs to be way more specific or removed.
Yes, I totally fell down a rabbit whole of thoughts. So easy to do now a days. And now I am so hungry and off to get a snack.