Dangers of hypersensitive culture bred by social media

[Hecturr 1,937]

So, as I'm sure many of you have witnessed or are witnessing on a daily basis, our culture is at a point of where you can't say anything without someone being offended by it.  I.E people acting like they care about social issues.

I came across the video and thought I'd start a discussion, what are your thoughts on the matter. Is society too sensitive now a days? 

Relevant video. ( my favorite part is from 2.15-2.40.)

Discuss below! 

[LePetitGAGABLover 21,234]

Actually, historically, society has always been too sensitive

But nowadays we have technology and social media to complain, which makes it seem like we more sensitive, when in reality its always been there. 

Also, people need to take a chill pill and not get offended by everything. 

[Parsakaali 268]

I've never visited tumblr, but that is how i'd imagine it to be like.

[Leo 3,000]

This is bull. Bull on bull on bull.

The thing is, people like to exaggerate the idea of people being "too sensitive". People joke and laugh at the idea of non-binary people, mock the concept of privilege and make such a big deal about the fact that people can be offended when you say ignorant bullsh!t. 

The video is nonsense, whatever, it's tongue in cheek, but people like to say "Gosh, these kids nowadays, everything offends them!", when in reality, most people are pretty laid back, but don't be surprised when someone calls someone else out for saying something out of line.

[Hecturr 1,937]

2 minutes ago, Leo said:

This is bull. Bull on bull on bull.

The thing is, people like to exaggerate the idea of people being "too sensitive". People joke and laugh at the idea of non-binary people, mock the concept of privilege and make such a big deal about the fact that people can be offended when you say ignorant bullsh!t. 

The video is nonsense, whatever, it's tongue in cheek, but people like to say "Gosh, these kids nowadays, everything offends them!", when in reality, most people are pretty laid back, but don't be surprised when someone calls someone else out for saying something out of line.

I've actually met people who are like the people in the video, though. I know there are few, but there are definitely people like that in real life.  I agree the video plays on the fact that everyone get's so easily offended.

[Didymus 34,380]

Edit: Hold on. I'm not even sure what the topic is lol. Are you talking about people being too sensitive as in: they shouldn't care when they're being targeted or are you saying that people are too sensitive as in: they're acting like they care about certain social issues to come off smart?

The video makes me think it's the second, but the comments make me think it's not clear enough

[Chic 20,830]

It's horrible on both sides. Now it seems people can use the idea of PC culture as an excuse to say anything they want without repercussion. Freedom of speech =/= freedom from consequence. The real pussies are the ones who talk **** about others and then can't handle it when they're dished it back with extra seasoning.

[Hecturr 1,937]

2 minutes ago, Didymus said:

Edit: Hold on. I'm not even sure what the topic is lol. Are you talking about people being too sensitive as in: they shouldn't care when they're being targeted or are you saying that people are too sensitive as in: they're acting like they care about certain social issues to come off smart?

The video makes me think it's the second, but the comments make me think it's not clear enough

Definitely not saying people shouldn't care that they're being targeted. So yes, people acting like they care about certain social issues. Should probably edit the op so more people don't make that assumption.

[Didymus 34,380]

17 minutes ago, Chic said:

and then can't handle it when they're dished it back with extra seasoning.

In my experience that's because those comebacks are so weak. People calling you ignorant or uneducated without further ado is not dishing back with extra seasoning, it's just throwing some oil on the fire, and if anything it shows that the attacker prefers to appear smart without having the intellectual back-up to actually offer a strong counterargument without going personal. (That's written with the context of the video in mind, btw.)

As for "freedom of speech doesn't equal freedom of consequence" - I don't get how that's a thing. Freedom of speech is not about being able to say something. It's about being able to say whatever without repercussions based on those words alone. I mean, your version of freedom of speech is just the same as the one in cultures that don't have it then You're free to say what you want, but we will lock you up for it. Sure, in Western society we have no legal repercussions (most of the time), but social repercussions aren't that much different in effect or intent.

So I dunno. Why bother glorifying freedom of speech as a core Western value when you're gonna choose to be hung up over speech anyway? If anything imo, people should be taught to see words as words instead of taking them on as actual impactful attacks. That to me seems a lot more productive than peer pressuring people into silence.

[Rebel Heart 5,142]

This is honestly the biggest load of crap I've ever seen. I do not know or know of a single person who thinks like this at all. This video is obviously made to make anyone who advocates for minorities look like irrational idiots. I'm sure that there are a few people like this but the only people who pay attention to them are the people who exaggerate what they say to make left wing people look bad (I use left wing as in the people who everyone cries about being "social justice warriors"). The part at the end when they're implying that left wing people have no factual or scientific evidence to support their ideas and only care about feelings is so hypocritical. It's literally the other way around. You'll show a right wing person evidence of racism being institutionalized in the USA or that rape culture is real and you can show them science about gender and sexual orientation and they'll literally shut you down with no evidence of their own and cry about how you're just an angry feminazi who hates all men and wants every white person dead.

[Didymus 34,380]

6 minutes ago, Rebel Heart said:

You'll show a right wing person evidence of racism being institutionalized in the USA or that rape culture is real and you can show them science about gender and sexual orientation and they'll literally shut you down with no evidence of their own and cry about how you're just an angry feminazi who hates all men and wants every white person dead.

But tbh, you can see the exact same dynamic with left wingers too People in general care more about their own prejudice, and they'll always find a way to talk themselves out of it when they're being faced with evidence that that prejudice is wrong.

I dunno, if this video was making fun of uneducated right wingers then I'm guessing most of this forum would clap and yell hooray which in itself shows something important

[Chic 20,830]

19 minutes ago, Didymus said:

In my experience that's because those comebacks are so weak. People calling you ignorant or uneducated without further ado is not dishing back with extra seasoning, it's just deluded, and if anything it shows that the attacker prefers to appear smart without having the intellectual back-up to actually offer a strong counterargument without going personal.

As for "freedom of speech doesn't equal freedom of consequence" - I don't get how that's a thing. Freedom of speech is not about being able to say something. It's about being able to say whatever without repercussions based on those words alone. I mean, your version of freedom of speech is just the same as the one in cultures that don't have it then You're free to say what you want, but we will lock you up for it. Sure, in Western society we have no legal repercussions (most of the time), but social repercussions aren't that much different in effect or intent.

So I dunno. Why bother glorifying freedom of speech as a core Western value when you're gonna choose to be hung up over some words? If anything imo, people should be taught to see words as words instead of taking them on as actual impactful attacks. That to me seems a lot more productive than peer pressuring people into silence.

For your first paragraph, that's a rather limited view. I've seen much more of the contrary, especially with the religious folk. Intellectual arguments are things I see often in comebacks against avid anti-PC people. I've also known older generations who complain about PC culture throw the bitchiest hissy fits over the slightest imperfection in their lives, like a pickle on their burger when they didn't want it. Also, note the Starbucks cup controversy; the same people complaining about how they aren't representing Christ because it's too PC freaked the **** out over a piece of plastic. They even went so far as to boycott the restaurant and deliberately say their names are "Merry Christmas" to place the burden on innocent Starbucks employees! It's contradictory. I've also seen plenty of people put their negative input on Facebook posts that don't apply to them - then, when met with any criticism, they have the nerve to tell other people that if they don't agree, to ignore it! I don't disagree with that premise, but it's hypocritical and I see it so, so often. It's no surprise that a lot of the aforementioned groups tend to be meshed together archetypically. I think it's rather commonplace. However, I do see why calling people ignorant is worthless as an argument.

I think it's clear I meant it in the social sense - the fact that some people can say "I can't deal with these ****ing homos and their PC culture..." and they combat any opposing argument with "free speech!!! and if you dont like what i say, keep your opinions to yourself". Well, they fail to understand that people are just as entitled to free speech in their arguments against these people's opinions as the original person in the first place. Some opinions are controversial, get over it. Free speech is for all, and if someone decides to call you out on your bullshit, don't wonder why. Their criticisms of you are a constitutional right. Yes, PC culture is ridiculously annoying, but it's adversely fueling this other unnecessarily incendiary culture, and I can't stand the hypocrisy of either side. I don't think there should be any legal repercussion against speech that doesn't imply or state a direct threat to someone's health.

PC culture/anti-PC culture isn't just limited to words, no matter how much we view them that way now. Impactful attacks can breed a culture where laws are made against these people.

[Rebel Heart 5,142]

Just now, Didymus said:

But tbh, you can see the exact same dynamic with left wingers too People in general care more about their own prejudice, and they'll always find a way to talk themselves out of it when they're being faced with evidence that that prejudice is wrong.

I dunno, if this video was making fun of uneducated right wingers then I'm guessing most of this forum would clap and yell hooray which in itself shows something important

I kinda agree with you on the first part. But in regards to the second part if it was a video making fun of uneducated right wingers the video would have them saying homophobic, sexist, racist statements which is obviously a terrible thing. Like it's an objectively wrong stance to have. But I don't understand why they make fun of a society that would include everyone of all different races, gender identities, sexual identities and religions. How is an all inclusive society, that yes does include white straight cis men, a bad thing that they can object too and find ridiculous? 

[DeanWinchester 41,390]

This is annoying as ****. This seems like it is exaggerated but if this actually happens in real life? 

I mean I have heard and read of scenarios where people look for representation even when not appropriate:

--no fat people in Les Miserables, a time when people were starving: "OMG fat shaming!!1!"

--no black people in Brave, set in medieval Scotland: "OMG racisme!!1!"

--medical studies show correlation of obesity with certain diseases, "MOAR FAT SHAMING!!1!"

I mean advocating for equality is a must but when you try to find representation for each and every thing even when not applicable 

[Didymus 34,380]

10 minutes ago, Chic said:

Yes, PC culture is ridiculously annoying, but it's adversely fueling this other unnecessarily incendiary culture, and I can't stand the hypocrisy of either side.

Well, 100% agreed. That's just like telling a kid not to look into the left bottom drawer in the kitchen. The kid probably wouldn't have cared to open it before his mommy told him not to. And personally, I even experience that myself: PC culture makes it almost gratifying to not hold back for a moment and just let out what's on your mind. When that's just a simple explosion that can be seen as such, that's fine, but yeah.. I do agree that for a lot of people it actually results in the genuine belief in their freedom of speech being tainted or whatever, allowing the dynamic to swing into the other direction with hateful groups banking on the frustrated