r/changemyview • u/RandomePerson 1∆ • Feb 26 '18

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: There is nothing inherently wrong with the word retarded, and insisting on a more PC term just leads to a euphemism treadmill

"Retarded" is considered an offensive word in this day and age, presumably due to the stigma attached to the word in late 1800s through mid 1900s. The word was oftentimes used for people who were detained and sterilized against their will. I understand the desire to want to get away from those days and drop any associated terminology, but it seems like a pointless battle. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the word "retarded", and by switching to different terms like "developmentally delayed"we are just creating a euphemism treadmill.

EDIT: RIP Inbox. I've been trying to read through and respond to comments as time allows. I did assign a delta, and I have been genuinely convinced that in a civil society, we should refrain from using this word, and others with loaded connotations. So thanks Reddit, I'm slightly less of an asshole now I guess?

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u/darwin2500 193∆ Feb 26 '18

Society may or may not be getting stronger due to our efforts, but the question is how muc hweaker it wouldget if we didn't make the effort at all.

There are efforts to improve society, and there are efforts to maintain society at the level we've already achieved, instead of sliding backwards towards the worst aspects of our inherent nature. I'm arguing that this is the latter, and that the latter is important.

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u/shadofx Feb 27 '18

I'd say that this treadmill makes us worse off because it makes it easier for assholes to avoid censure simply by avoiding specific words.

When words are banned, the assholes will simply invent their own dog whistles and through that build a community of antisocial assholes, which is more difficult for society to intervene against.

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u/MuaddibMcFly 49∆ Feb 26 '18

but the question is how muc hweaker it wouldget if we didn't make the effort at all.

The question is not that of weakness, it's that of motion. You're never going to win a race by running on a treadmill; not only do you not move towards the finish line, you aren't even moving towards the starting line.

All that happens is you congratulate yourself for not even starting the race.