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  3. Can we please not with all the ableist language I'm seeing around discussing AI (and anything, really)?

Can we please not with all the ableist language I'm seeing around discussing AI (and anything, really)?

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  • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

    @saltywizard I try to think about the precise characteristics of the behaviour that I'm describing; ignorant is often the case, but sometimes it's behaviour that is better described in a sentence or two than trying to condense everything to one word. However: erratic, immoral, unethical, chaotic, dangerous, abusive - it depends what's being talked about and what the problem is.

    cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
    cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
    cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com
    wrote last edited by
    #22

    @Curator @saltywizard I don't mean to turn this into a class or unpaid consultation but: are "dickhead", "shithead" and "asshole" OK?

    curator@mastodon.artC 1 Reply Last reply
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    • cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com

      @Curator @saltywizard I don't mean to turn this into a class or unpaid consultation but: are "dickhead", "shithead" and "asshole" OK?

      curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
      curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
      curator@mastodon.art
      wrote last edited by
      #23

      @cairobraga @saltywizard I've been trying to avoid things that use sex-specific bodyparts, to avoid e.g. implying that penises are bad (calling someone a dickhead) - I stick with things that are more general, like shithead and asshole 😄

      cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC saltywizard@beige.partyS terribletowelie@mastodon.socialT 3 Replies Last reply
      0
      • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

        @cairobraga @saltywizard I've been trying to avoid things that use sex-specific bodyparts, to avoid e.g. implying that penises are bad (calling someone a dickhead) - I stick with things that are more general, like shithead and asshole 😄

        cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
        cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
        cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com
        wrote last edited by
        #24

        @Curator @saltywizard I'm a penis owner (and penis enjoyer!) and I never stopped to think about that, isn't it wild? what you're saying does indeed make sense. thank you again!

        also, linguistically speaking, the concept of "shit" as derogatory is so versatile and full of possibilities across most languages, one might even build a full list of words and terms based on it to replace ableist and otherwise bigoted language.

        a note about "asshole": in Brazilian Portuguese everyday language we use "ass" (anus) in more than a thousand different terms, expressions and idioms, across all the spectrum of positive-neutral-negative feelings. "cuzão" (lit. "big ass", the most direct translation of "asshole" as an insult from English) when used towards a person is an offensive word related to a person's bad behaviour and/or personality; "cuzão" can also refer to someone's big butt in a positive way, and also mean that someone is very lucky and fortunate (there's a whole repertoire of expressions relating having a big butt to having good luck in PTBR).

        curator@mastodon.artC 1 Reply Last reply
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        • cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com

          @Curator @saltywizard I'm a penis owner (and penis enjoyer!) and I never stopped to think about that, isn't it wild? what you're saying does indeed make sense. thank you again!

          also, linguistically speaking, the concept of "shit" as derogatory is so versatile and full of possibilities across most languages, one might even build a full list of words and terms based on it to replace ableist and otherwise bigoted language.

          a note about "asshole": in Brazilian Portuguese everyday language we use "ass" (anus) in more than a thousand different terms, expressions and idioms, across all the spectrum of positive-neutral-negative feelings. "cuzão" (lit. "big ass", the most direct translation of "asshole" as an insult from English) when used towards a person is an offensive word related to a person's bad behaviour and/or personality; "cuzão" can also refer to someone's big butt in a positive way, and also mean that someone is very lucky and fortunate (there's a whole repertoire of expressions relating having a big butt to having good luck in PTBR).

          curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
          curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
          curator@mastodon.art
          wrote last edited by
          #25

          @cairobraga I approve of the many butt words in PTBR!

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

            @cairobraga @saltywizard I've been trying to avoid things that use sex-specific bodyparts, to avoid e.g. implying that penises are bad (calling someone a dickhead) - I stick with things that are more general, like shithead and asshole 😄

            saltywizard@beige.partyS This user is from outside of this forum
            saltywizard@beige.partyS This user is from outside of this forum
            saltywizard@beige.party
            wrote last edited by
            #26

            @Curator @cairobraga

            assholes aren't fundamentally bad and are, in fact, quite beloved in some circles.

            shit, by contrast, should be avoided. two girls-one cup, not withstanding.

            this topic always reminds me of lenny bruce's take on 'fuck you.' he suggested, and i agree, that this is a blessing, not an insult.

            cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC 1 Reply Last reply
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            • saltywizard@beige.partyS saltywizard@beige.party

              @Curator @cairobraga

              assholes aren't fundamentally bad and are, in fact, quite beloved in some circles.

              shit, by contrast, should be avoided. two girls-one cup, not withstanding.

              this topic always reminds me of lenny bruce's take on 'fuck you.' he suggested, and i agree, that this is a blessing, not an insult.

              cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
              cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
              cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com
              wrote last edited by
              #27

              @saltywizard @Curator this reminds me of: there's this guy at work that's super attractive, stylish, polite, smart and nice and we were joking around during the shift, as a group, then I got him on a punchline, he laughed and said "fuck you" while smiling and I replied "I wish you would" while also smiling. he belly-laughed then came around to give me a hug and said "well played!".

              unfortunately he's not sexually attracted to me. oh well.

              all of this to say that I love playing with the ambiguity of "fuck you" and I agree with what you said Lenny Bruce said.

              one more note on "assholes": I'm an enjoyer, 1000%! I still like the distinction of "have an asshole, don't be one", so I can get on board with it being used positively and/or negatively. also because, as per my previous post on this conversation, in the culture I was raised in the asshole contains multitudes.

              curator@mastodon.artC saltywizard@beige.partyS 2 Replies Last reply
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              • zappes@mastodon.onlineZ zappes@mastodon.online

                @Curator Look at the word "idiot". In ancient greek, that's simply somebody not belonging to the "polites", i.e. the people who vote. That word was introduced as a polite, non agressive euphemism, but as soon as it was used as intended, it became a "slur" and using it was prohibited.

                In my life alone, I have seen the euphemist evolution from "negro" to "black" to "of color", and I fully expect "PoC" to become taboo within a few years. The rules change all the time.

                benjamineskola@hachyderm.ioB This user is from outside of this forum
                benjamineskola@hachyderm.ioB This user is from outside of this forum
                benjamineskola@hachyderm.io
                wrote last edited by
                #28

                @zappes it’s difficult to sympathise if your argument is ‘two thousand years ago in a completely different language this word wasn’t offensive, how is anybody supposed to keep up?’

                @Curator

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com

                  @saltywizard @Curator this reminds me of: there's this guy at work that's super attractive, stylish, polite, smart and nice and we were joking around during the shift, as a group, then I got him on a punchline, he laughed and said "fuck you" while smiling and I replied "I wish you would" while also smiling. he belly-laughed then came around to give me a hug and said "well played!".

                  unfortunately he's not sexually attracted to me. oh well.

                  all of this to say that I love playing with the ambiguity of "fuck you" and I agree with what you said Lenny Bruce said.

                  one more note on "assholes": I'm an enjoyer, 1000%! I still like the distinction of "have an asshole, don't be one", so I can get on board with it being used positively and/or negatively. also because, as per my previous post on this conversation, in the culture I was raised in the asshole contains multitudes.

                  curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                  curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                  curator@mastodon.art
                  wrote last edited by
                  #29

                  @cairobraga @saltywizard 💯

                  I'm glad your colleague took your come-on in good humour at least, but sorry it didn't work out for you! 😉

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com

                    @saltywizard @Curator this reminds me of: there's this guy at work that's super attractive, stylish, polite, smart and nice and we were joking around during the shift, as a group, then I got him on a punchline, he laughed and said "fuck you" while smiling and I replied "I wish you would" while also smiling. he belly-laughed then came around to give me a hug and said "well played!".

                    unfortunately he's not sexually attracted to me. oh well.

                    all of this to say that I love playing with the ambiguity of "fuck you" and I agree with what you said Lenny Bruce said.

                    one more note on "assholes": I'm an enjoyer, 1000%! I still like the distinction of "have an asshole, don't be one", so I can get on board with it being used positively and/or negatively. also because, as per my previous post on this conversation, in the culture I was raised in the asshole contains multitudes.

                    saltywizard@beige.partyS This user is from outside of this forum
                    saltywizard@beige.partyS This user is from outside of this forum
                    saltywizard@beige.party
                    wrote last edited by
                    #30

                    @cairobraga @Curator

                    "the asshole contains multitudes."
                    — quote of the day

                    curator@mastodon.artC 1 Reply Last reply
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                    • saltywizard@beige.partyS saltywizard@beige.party

                      @cairobraga @Curator

                      "the asshole contains multitudes."
                      — quote of the day

                      curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                      curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                      curator@mastodon.art
                      wrote last edited by
                      #31

                      @saltywizard @cairobraga 😛

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                      cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

                        Lunatic, insane, stupid, dumb, retarded, moron, idiot, imbecile, cretin, crazy, mad, nuts.

                        Any word that relates to low intelligence, smartness, or IQ.

                        Seriously, this is Nazi shit; you are literally doing the work of fascists in using language like this.

                        I appreciate that you might not have known, especially if English is not your first language and you weren't aware of the history of these words and their use as insults, but NOW YOU DO KNOW.

                        And now you can stop.

                        U This user is from outside of this forum
                        U This user is from outside of this forum
                        unkx@icosahedron.website
                        wrote last edited by
                        #32

                        @Curator

                        disclaimer: I’m mildly autistic and english is not my native language, so please take that into consideration when replying.

                        I appreciate what you are trying to achieve here, but i would like to emphasize that in all communication context matters most. Blanket bans on words are not always the best approach, and in fact that’s something nazis and fascists really love doing.

                        For example: if someone says ”Bob is an idiot, he’s a nazi” you should not scold the person for using the word ”idiot” in their statement. Instead you should scold Bob. Bob chose to be a nazi.

                        However if someone says ”Dave is an idiot, he has down’s syndrome” then the person saying that does need all the scolding. Dave didn’t choose to have down’s syndrome.

                        Now if we replace the word ”idiot” with, for example ”asshole” in the above two statements, they become much more muddled in meaning, and end up benefiting Bob as he probably considers being an asshole a merit...

                        curator@mastodon.artC 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • U unkx@icosahedron.website

                          @Curator

                          disclaimer: I’m mildly autistic and english is not my native language, so please take that into consideration when replying.

                          I appreciate what you are trying to achieve here, but i would like to emphasize that in all communication context matters most. Blanket bans on words are not always the best approach, and in fact that’s something nazis and fascists really love doing.

                          For example: if someone says ”Bob is an idiot, he’s a nazi” you should not scold the person for using the word ”idiot” in their statement. Instead you should scold Bob. Bob chose to be a nazi.

                          However if someone says ”Dave is an idiot, he has down’s syndrome” then the person saying that does need all the scolding. Dave didn’t choose to have down’s syndrome.

                          Now if we replace the word ”idiot” with, for example ”asshole” in the above two statements, they become much more muddled in meaning, and end up benefiting Bob as he probably considers being an asshole a merit...

                          curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                          curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                          curator@mastodon.art
                          wrote last edited by
                          #33

                          @unkx You're still choosing to use a word that means 'low intelligence'. Even if you're not using that word to describe a person, you're still associating low intelligence with bad behaviour. It's still ableist. And as I said above, not knowing is fine - until you DO know, and then you can make that choice.

                          If you're going to choose to still use ableist words knowing they're ableist, then you're a bigot. 🤷

                          curator@mastodon.artC 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

                            @unkx You're still choosing to use a word that means 'low intelligence'. Even if you're not using that word to describe a person, you're still associating low intelligence with bad behaviour. It's still ableist. And as I said above, not knowing is fine - until you DO know, and then you can make that choice.

                            If you're going to choose to still use ableist words knowing they're ableist, then you're a bigot. 🤷

                            curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                            curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                            curator@mastodon.art
                            wrote last edited by
                            #34

                            @unkx Also, penty of Nazis have a high IQ or are smart or have high intelligence, however you want to describe it. IQ itself is a fascist tool, but that's a different argument. You're saying 'asshole' is more muddled in meaning, while choosing to use a non-specific and irrelevant word to describe someone. If Bob's a nazi, call him a nazi. His intellect is entirely irrelevant.

                            raymaccarthy@mastodon.ieR 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

                              Lunatic, insane, stupid, dumb, retarded, moron, idiot, imbecile, cretin, crazy, mad, nuts.

                              Any word that relates to low intelligence, smartness, or IQ.

                              Seriously, this is Nazi shit; you are literally doing the work of fascists in using language like this.

                              I appreciate that you might not have known, especially if English is not your first language and you weren't aware of the history of these words and their use as insults, but NOW YOU DO KNOW.

                              And now you can stop.

                              curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                              curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                              curator@mastodon.art
                              wrote last edited by
                              #35

                              Look, before you slide into my replies giving me all kinds of tired, over-used, and entirely anticipated arguments for why you should be allowed to say the ableist words, actually - don't.

                              Don't bother. I've heard it all before, and your arguments - every single one of them - are full of holes and nonsensical, I can refute you all day. This is not my first 'but I want to use the bad words' rodeo.

                              If you want to do the work of fascism and support eugenics, fine, but keep it out of my mentions.

                              curator@mastodon.artC 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

                                Look, before you slide into my replies giving me all kinds of tired, over-used, and entirely anticipated arguments for why you should be allowed to say the ableist words, actually - don't.

                                Don't bother. I've heard it all before, and your arguments - every single one of them - are full of holes and nonsensical, I can refute you all day. This is not my first 'but I want to use the bad words' rodeo.

                                If you want to do the work of fascism and support eugenics, fine, but keep it out of my mentions.

                                curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                                curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                                curator@mastodon.art
                                wrote last edited by
                                #36

                                Also I'll block you from mastodon.art and then you won't be able to see the pretty art.

                                You don't deserve the pretty art, anyway, and all the disabled, neurodiverse people on this instance are better off without you.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

                                  @unkx Also, penty of Nazis have a high IQ or are smart or have high intelligence, however you want to describe it. IQ itself is a fascist tool, but that's a different argument. You're saying 'asshole' is more muddled in meaning, while choosing to use a non-specific and irrelevant word to describe someone. If Bob's a nazi, call him a nazi. His intellect is entirely irrelevant.

                                  raymaccarthy@mastodon.ieR This user is from outside of this forum
                                  raymaccarthy@mastodon.ieR This user is from outside of this forum
                                  raymaccarthy@mastodon.ie
                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #37

                                  @Curator @unkx
                                  IQ doesn't measure intelligence. It compares people of nearly identical backgrounds in performance of niche written / reading tests.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

                                    @saltywizard @cairobraga 😛

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                                    cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
                                    cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
                                    cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com
                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #38

                                    @Curator @saltywizard my flabber is gasted, and my heart is honoured with such piece of calligraphical art. I can't thank you enough for this, Curator, truly. (I'm not even joking, I'm truly touched by this.)

                                    as the kids say nowadays: thanks to you I peaked, it's peak.

                                    curator@mastodon.artC 1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com

                                      @Curator @saltywizard my flabber is gasted, and my heart is honoured with such piece of calligraphical art. I can't thank you enough for this, Curator, truly. (I'm not even joking, I'm truly touched by this.)

                                      as the kids say nowadays: thanks to you I peaked, it's peak.

                                      curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                                      curator@mastodon.artC This user is from outside of this forum
                                      curator@mastodon.art
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #39

                                      @cairobraga @saltywizard

                                      terribletowelie@mastodon.socialT 1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • curator@mastodon.artC curator@mastodon.art

                                        @cairobraga @saltywizard

                                        terribletowelie@mastodon.socialT This user is from outside of this forum
                                        terribletowelie@mastodon.socialT This user is from outside of this forum
                                        terribletowelie@mastodon.social
                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #40

                                        @Curator @cairobraga @saltywizard

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                                        cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC hejchristian@front-end.socialH 2 Replies Last reply
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                                        • terribletowelie@mastodon.socialT terribletowelie@mastodon.social

                                          @Curator @cairobraga @saltywizard

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                                          cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
                                          cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.comC This user is from outside of this forum
                                          cairobraga@gts.cairobraga.com
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #41

                                          @terribletowelie @Curator @saltywizard this JUMPSCARE was uncalled for.

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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