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38
Merriam-Webster "Word We're Watching": Sealioning, complete with Anita Sarkeesian Quote (archive.is)
posted 5 years ago by altmehere 5 years ago by altmehere +38 / -0
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▲ 14 ▼
– Adamrises 14 points 5 years ago +14 / -0

The original sealion comic doesn't even explain why the sealion is wrong, he just comes across as obnoxious. But the kind of obnoxious the people who use the term "sealion" would champion otherwise.

The random guy says something vaguely racist. The sealion calls him out on it. He continues to dodge justifying why he said something bigoted. So the sealion keeps hounding him to backdown or justify it, being entirely polite but extremely hyperbolically forward (following him into his house).

You know, the kind of thing Leftist Twitter does but usually without the veneer of politeness and much more violently.

So even as a word, it fails to make sense because generally you should call out open bigots spreading bigotry on the street (within reason, only actual direct bigotry not "Nazi dogwhistling"). That's not wrong in any sense. But they want to be the ones to own that type of dogpiling.

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▲ 12 ▼
– acp_k2win 12 points 5 years ago +12 / -0

generally you should call out open bigots spreading bigotry on the street

No you shouldn't. You should stfu and go about you business. Because I guarantee you that some opinion you hold will be considered "bigoted" by the powers that be.

Do you believe that men can't change into women by wishing it? Congrats you are a bigot. Do you believe that single parenting isn't the optimal situation in which to raise children? Congrats you are a bigot. Do you believe obesity is unhealthy? Congrats you are a bigot.

What "calling out" really is is reinforcing your in-group loyalty at the expense of perceived out-group members, particularly those who are vulnerable and non-threatening.

Animal rights activists don't go to biker bars and dump red paint on guys wearing leather. They do it to old women wearing furs. The same thing, because you won't "call out" anyone who has the power to retaliate against you.

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▲ 6 ▼
– SargentSlate 6 points 5 years ago +6 / -0

Definition of a bigot: 1. a person who constantly and stubbornly holds a particular point of view etc.

By this definition, I am a proud bigot.

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▲ 6 ▼
– Adamrises 6 points 5 years ago +6 / -0

Not calling it out is how we got so far that those absurd beliefs you listed got this stupid. Because we simply went about our business because it didn't effect us.

Until it did. Now whites, males, Christians, not trannies, and all sorts of other groups can't even organize because we conceded so much ground by inaction when they were openly being bigoted against those groups.

People are allowed to believe whatever they want. They can mind their business and be bigots to their heart's content. Attempting to indoctrinate and spread publicly is where the line is crossed. And you are only allowed to counter by logic and reason. Them attempting public conversion makes it an open debate to undermine.

Most of my opinions are raging bigotry, I don't care. I am constantly embroiled in public arguments with people who I consider bigoted in manners I disagree with. They can walk away still considered me a bigot, or perhaps I am not wrong and someone will reconsider this screeching woman calling for stronger rape laws is not being logical.

The problem you are seeing is that you only see "calling out" in the specific lens of Leftist cancel culture and no other form.

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▲ 1 ▼
– MrJ4242 1 point 5 years ago +1 / -0

No talk with them debate ideas and ideology they are there espousing their beliefs so you have as much right to do the same. Conversations aren’t dirty evil things unless your a leftist who thinks only violence is pure.

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▲ 2 ▼
– acp_k2win 2 points 5 years ago +2 / -0

The other side doesn't believe in dialogue. They engage for two reasons. One is to virtue signal and demonstrate their in group loyalty. Two is to threaten the in-group members that are on the edge that they will be targeted the same as the enemy if they step out of line.

Pretending "reaching out" will have any effect whatsoever is a waste of energy.

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▲ 9 ▼
– deleted 9 points 5 years ago +9 / -0
▲ 4 ▼
– Grumman 4 points 5 years ago +4 / -0

The comic doesn't need to explain why the sealion is wrong, it shows why the sealion is wrong. Both the man and woman agree that sealions are unlikeable because they butt in where they aren't wanted to start arguments, to which the sealion responds by butting in where it isn't wanted to start an argument, proving their dislike completely justified.

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▲ 8 ▼
– SR388-SAX 8 points 5 years ago +8 / -0

The comic doesn't need to explain why the sealion is wrong, it shows why the sealion is wrong.

The comic isn't wrong, but its use as an analogy is stupid. Two people at home having a discussion interrupted by a sealion is nothing like people on a public forum shit talking 'sealions' and then taking offense when 'sealions' come to defend themselves.

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