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Remember me comrades! (lemmy.ml)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/memes@lemmy.ml
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[–] 6 points 2 years ago (3 children)

I know it gets used like shit but do you think there's any utility in the term 'whataboutism' if the definition is strict? Like I always understood it to be pointing out ludicrous pontificating about things that'll never happen. Obviously that's not how it's used at all in reality and your description is much more apt.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    The new use will struggle while the old use remains popular

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago* (2 children)

    I believe that was the original intent of the word, just wondering if it's essentially defunct because of how it's used now.

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  • [–] 12 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    The term (or the term whataboutery, which it emerged from) was originally used by pro-British newspapers during the troubles to complain that when people would whine about IRA activities others would respond by pointing out that their direct opposition, the British, were committing atrocities.

    It's always been a tool for Western hegemony to avoid criticism and accusations of hypocrisy.

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  • [–] 7 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Wow that was definitely an enlightening read on the etymology, so the word was fucked from the get go haha..

    Sean O’Conaill (1976) - 'I would not suggest such a thing were it not for the Whatabouts. These are the people who answer every condemnation of the Provisional I.R.A. with an argument to prove the greater immorality of the “enemy”, and therefore the justice of the Provisionals’ cause: “What about Bloody Sunday, internment, torture, force feeding, army intimidation?”. '

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  • [–] 9 points 2 years ago*

    I know it gets used like shit but do you think there's any utility in the term 'whataboutism' if the definition is strict?

    Nope. Because the argument always goes like this:

    1. non-neutral party brings up problem about non-western place
    2. someone says "well this is actually a bigger problem in the west" after which they get le downvoted
    3. the rationale is "well we're not talking about the west right now so that's whataboutism"

    The actual problem starts at step 1, and it's started by westoids and their news media outlets who constantly a) attack free non-white countries (and Russia) b) stay silent about the (usually much worse) stuff the west is currently doing

    For example, how many westoids have ever said anything about the EU overfishing Indian Ocean waters? Instead it's always China overfishing X, or making Y animal extinct, even though westoids consume 4x more resources per capita and 90% of the rhino and elephant populations were killed by whites since the 1800s. Fuck mayos and fuck anyone who even reasons within their moronic bullshit paradigm

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  • [–] 7 points 2 years ago

    It'd be tough to get everyone to sign on, but I'd be down for your definition. It sounds like it better matches the word itself. Feels like a term I could use as a synonym for brainstorming, or when I talk about transit expansions in my city

    spoilersicko-wistful

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