Not to start something, but...

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
03/26/2014 at 09:02 • Filed to: None

I often make generalized posts. I notice something done by a group or something that happens over and over again within a group, and I generalize it. I never say "all people who do x are y" or anything like that. I do try to shrink the group a bit more. People seem to think that I think in black and white, and usually get offended if they get lumped in somewhere.

But here's the thing. I don't mean everybody in that group or sect. And to be honest, if someone gets offended, it's generally because there's some truth to it for them as well. I know that I even do it myself when people talk about Honda's lack of performance, because I'm aware of my cars power shortcomings.

Something to think about. Don't get offended, instead, be a better example and try to elevate your group beyond their shortcomings. That way everybody wins.

DISCUSSION (18)

Party-vi > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
03/26/2014 at 09:09

Ah, but when you make a generalization you are saying "all people who do x are y ". That would be why it's called a generalization. Unless you qualify your statements beforehand, there's nothing to tell the reader "this is just a generalization I understand not everyone does this/is like this/drives Hondas.

The WB > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
03/26/2014 at 09:13

People are going to get offended any time you offer forth an opinion. Filling a post with a list of exclusions, special cases, exceptions, etc, defeats the whole purpose of a post about one particular topic. There are always exceptions, but to talk about any particular case specifically, we inherently and purposefully exclude those that don't meet those generalizations.

To get any conversation done, we must generalize some. I assume if someone is generalizing they are speaking about those people who meet that set of criteria, not all people as a whole. It's a bit tautological, but it's how I see it.

There are cases of hate speech which I don't find acceptable ever, but if your ego is so fragile that you have to shout "but I'M not like that" every time someone makes a generalization, the internet probably isn't for you. Or real life.

TL;DR I feel you bro. People too sensitive.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Party-vi
03/26/2014 at 09:15

By that reasoning, shouldn't we ban "this is why people think BMW driver are asshats" posts? Because it implies all people who don't drive a Bimmer think all BMW drivers are, in deed, asshats.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
03/26/2014 at 09:15

OHHH, you're one of THOSE people. The ones who generalize! :-)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > The WB
03/26/2014 at 09:18

That's exactly what I'm saying. Thank you for expressing this, so maybe some people will see how these things can get out of hand. Like you say, if you're constantly saying "Not me", you're either not tough enough to deal with your own group, or you probably do see some of yourself in the generalized statement.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
03/26/2014 at 09:18

What do you mean by those people? :P

Jagvar > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
03/26/2014 at 09:34

All people who make sweeping generalizations are terrible people. Without exception.

They also all smell funny.

Party-vi > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
03/26/2014 at 09:48

But all BMW drivers are asshats.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jagvar
03/26/2014 at 10:09

I've heard people that walk without shoes have tough soles.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Party-vi
03/26/2014 at 10:10

But see, when I say it, I'm a dick. Double standards Chapelle!

Frank Grimes > The WB
03/26/2014 at 10:10

Yes lets use the internet as a mental health assessment tool and judge whether someone is emotionally mature or inemotiinally intelligent or not based on whether things on intertubes offend them. Why not try to be more sensitive and try not to offend people instead of throwing being "too sensitive" at someone. And why not sensitive people try and not taking things so persoanlly so we can all get along without attacking?

Kinja'd!!!

Jagvar > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
03/26/2014 at 10:11

Now that one's true.

The WB > Frank Grimes
03/26/2014 at 10:35

Case in point.

Frank Grimes > The WB
03/26/2014 at 10:50

Its funny how offended you are by my being offended and having feelings.
TIL only those without feeling self indentity or empathy should use the internet.

The WB > Frank Grimes
03/26/2014 at 10:58

I am not sure why you are inferring that I am offended. None of my sensibilities have been bothered.

This is illustrating my point - latching on to specific instances (e.g. cases of actual mental health issues, or disregarding of hyberbolic statements within a generalized post) when they do nothing but pull attention away from the original topic.

Frank Grimes > The WB
03/26/2014 at 11:20

Who are you to decide people are too sensitive? How do you know?
I agree with your point we cannot speak without generalizing but I am sick of people on the internet saying rude things and when called out about it throwing "you are just too sensitive" as if they have no responsibility for thier actions and can say whatever they want and people just need to be their ideal level of sensitive so they can continue saying what they want and acting like an ass. People hide behind thier anonymity and act like hypocrits saying and acting as they would never act in real life.

The WB > Frank Grimes
03/26/2014 at 16:53

In the same way that I think Lays potato chips are too salty, I think some people are too sensitive. Many people enjoy Lays potato chips and also sensitive people. But if Lays wants to sell me chips, they should de-salt them some. They don't, of course, because if I don't buy them it doesn't matter. There are a million other people around, and there are other brands of chips I can buy.

By the same token, if I find someone too sensitive, it's my prerogative to think they are. I did not seek someone out to tell them they are too sensitive. I saw someone who felt similarly to me, and I agreed with him. I do not insult people for their beliefs or criticize them for sharing, but you have done the same thing by telling me I cannot decide if I think people are too sensitive for my taste.

Does it decrease their worth as human beings? No. Should it matter to them that I think that way? No. Because it isn't something personal. It isn't about them personally. it's about my taste for sensitivity and my feelings that some people have too much of it.

I think that sword of anonymity cuts both ways. People demand "respect" and "kindess" on the internet in ways they would never dare do so in person. Demanding respect doesn't justify it. It as hypocritical to do that as it is to falsely bluster and say people get offended only because they are too sensitive. You are reading a lot more than I have indicated into my comments. I don't believe I insulted anyone. I merely agreed with another persons perception.

Frank Grimes > The WB
03/26/2014 at 17:25

they make lays chips with less salt.

I dont agree that people on the internet think they deserve more respect on the internet than in person. maybe we have different ideas on how much respect people deserve but i think we are all derserving of respect and it should not have to be earned or given as a gift or asked for.