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[Pretty Little Flower]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

I'm irritated. There's a difference. We irritated are a different breed, responding not to perceived slights but to generally dumb behavior, or things that are corrosive to a more enjoyable or amusing discourse.

When I'm reading something that's provocative, I enjoy that it causes me to think. Maybe it causes me to disagree with it, or reconsider what I'd previously thought about the subject. If comments follow the article and they debate its merits or lack thereof, that banter is welcome.

But when someone responds with, "I'm offended," or worse, then seeks to ban the author of that which offended them, they've added nothing. All thinking ceases and the argument becomes a grievance and possibly a blunt exertion of power to shut down something or someone.

"I'm offended" is not thoughtful but emotive. It's like saying "This makes me sad," or "This makes me happy." Does this add anything to the conversation? Congrats. You've emoted. And the content value of that ejaculation is: 0.00.

But yes, I think I should be able to Will Smith most of the offended. But I also think that if they find my denigration of them or irritation with them offensive, they can do the same to me. Quite honestly, allowing people to beat the shit out of each other might be the cure for stupid behavior.

Being offended is “emotive” but being irritated is “thoughtful”? I’m not buying it. The only difference is that, instead of saying, “This makes me sad”, you are saying “This makes me angry.” Irritation is an emotion. Adds nothing to the conversation. Congrats. You’ve emoted.