I mean, sure. This applies to almost every label for a group of humans. It’s not nuanced enough nor applied specifically enough to usefully discuss anything or think clearly about any topic.
But that’s not the purpose of such a label. The purpose is to summarize an entire argument into a very small meme, so it can be easily ignored. the appropriate reaction is to recognize it as the slur it is, and treat the user as non-serious, uninterested in any details of a debate.
As I mention in the post, I don’t think it’s the same as every label. “Rationalist” and “Effective Altruist” are self-generated and applied labels for broader ideologies, vs a more narrow empirical belief for which evidence/reasoning continues to develop, and people can change their minds on frequently, and is the subject of much more active political pressures right now.
I agree some people are looking for a term so they can summarize and ignore, but some people are more looking to describe something, to which I say, maybe don’t use that term?
I mean, sure. This applies to almost every label for a group of humans. It’s not nuanced enough nor applied specifically enough to usefully discuss anything or think clearly about any topic.
But that’s not the purpose of such a label. The purpose is to summarize an entire argument into a very small meme, so it can be easily ignored. the appropriate reaction is to recognize it as the slur it is, and treat the user as non-serious, uninterested in any details of a debate.
As I mention in the post, I don’t think it’s the same as every label. “Rationalist” and “Effective Altruist” are self-generated and applied labels for broader ideologies, vs a more narrow empirical belief for which evidence/reasoning continues to develop, and people can change their minds on frequently, and is the subject of much more active political pressures right now.
I agree some people are looking for a term so they can summarize and ignore, but some people are more looking to describe something, to which I say, maybe don’t use that term?