I’m torn on “it’s complicated.” Clearly, you’re correct that it can function as a powerful semantic stopsign. But increasingly, I also find that it’s actually an entirely appropriate and even useful response (or at least an initial response) to many questions, especially political/policy/legal/normative questions.
For example, imagine a poll asking American citizens the following question: “In one sentence, what would you say is the major problem with the American health care system?” Now imagine the people who respond with something like “It’s complicated,” and ask yourself whether these individuals might ultimately have something interesting and productive to say about health care (compared to the average responder).
I’m torn on “it’s complicated.” Clearly, you’re correct that it can function as a powerful semantic stopsign. But increasingly, I also find that it’s actually an entirely appropriate and even useful response (or at least an initial response) to many questions, especially political/policy/legal/normative questions.
For example, imagine a poll asking American citizens the following question: “In one sentence, what would you say is the major problem with the American health care system?” Now imagine the people who respond with something like “It’s complicated,” and ask yourself whether these individuals might ultimately have something interesting and productive to say about health care (compared to the average responder).