"Problematic"

[dwarven]

Is this the word people are using these days to explain away things they don't like without actually mounting an argument against them? I'm curious what those who use it have to say.

[Travis B]

I don't use "problematic", but I do use the term "unfortunate" quite a bit.

[hrugner]

More or less. The term is nice and vague so that it can be used to attack things which make you uncomfortable without you examining that discomfort or looking for solutions. It's very similar to toxic. These terms are the on the opposite end of the spectrum that terms like "synergy", "quantum leap" and "paradigm shift" are on. If you need negative nonsense words or positive nonsense words, you know you're just spitting nonsense.

[s_bushido]

I'm sorry, what's the politically correct word they should be using instead?

[Runenwächter]

I'm sorry, what's the politically correct word they should be using instead?

Isnt the problem rather that instead of providing a context why there is a problem with a certain thing or why problems arise from certain behaviours the word "problematic" is used without providing that context, as if it by itself was the argument?

[Elba]

Isnt the problem rather that instead of providing a context why there is a problem with a certain thing or why problems arise from certain behaviours the word "problematic" is used without providing that context, as if it by itself was the argument?

No? It usually goes like: "So and so is problematic, he said transphobic thing such and such." At least among us es jay dubyas.

[Super Kami Dende]

Is this the word people are using these days to explain away things they don't like without actually mounting an argument against them? I'm curious what those who use it have to say.

Pretty much. Like most overused terms these days, Someone using the word "Problematic" allows you to instantly realise you are having a conversation with an idiot and gives you the ability to leave before they waste anymore of your Time or the Earths Oxygen.

[Deletedaccount1]

It reminds of the word "impact" which has become misused as a replacement for "affect".

[Runenwächter]

No? It usually goes like: "So and so is problematic, he said transphobic thing such and such." At least among us es jay dubyas.

Well if "such and such" was indeed transphobic and since we can agree that transphobia frowned upon, it follows that what the person said is "problematic". I dont see a problem with the words use, as context was provided. Quite often Ive seen context not being provided, especially in social media conversations, twitter being the most prominent platform.

Now wether that person themself is "problematic" because of one thing they said is something else. It sounds suspiciously easy to frame a conversation around them being transphobic and to exclude them from the discussion.

[Mormolyce]

The irony is that "problematic" is a term the left wing specifically developed as a soft word for things people say that they don't want to call "racist" because that would be over the top, but they still need to tell people why they shouldn't use them. Like, I dunno, your grandma calling Asians "Orientals" because she doesn't know better or something. It's supposed to be a way to reason with people instead of starting a confrontation and making people defensive.

But the shitlords act like someone threw holy water on a vampire when it comes out, so I guess there's no term gentle enough not to offend some people.

[GreenGoldSharpie]

But the shitlords act like someone threw holy water on a vampire when it comes out, so I guess there's no term gentle enough not to offend some people.

Largely because what they want is criticism free speech, or, more likely, to troll and make fun of people with a vested interest in society and a variety of social issues.

I'm looking forward to when this isn't the cool, counter culture thing anymore.

[Dezerte]

I use it to describe things that are problematic, like my zipper.

[Deleted]

It's a term that opens room to reflect on whatever statement it's attached. It's a more civil way to express something than to bluntly say it in a very direct way.

[Destump]

Largely because what they want is criticism free speech, or, more likely, to troll and make fun of people with a vested interest in society and a variety of social issues.

I'm looking forward to when this isn't the cool, counter culture thing anymore.

Honestly, I wouldnt hold your breath for it. From what I understand, generation Z is mostly pretty far to the right.

[GreenGoldSharpie]

Honestly, I wouldnt hold your breath for it. From what I understand, generation Z is mostly pretty far to the right.

That was based on some informal website survey, if I recall. I actually work with teens (I'm a teacher) and the vast majority are pretty even keel on social issues. I even work in a fairly rural area, and the integration is pretty seamless between the various different groups.

[Destump]

That was based on some informal website survey, if I recall. I actually work with teens (I'm a teacher) and the vast majority are pretty even keel on social issues. I even work in a fairly rural area, and the integration is pretty seamless between the various different groups.

Ah, I did not know that. Good to know too, because they seemed to be a bit too much to the extreme right online.

[Ryme]

It was the buzzword of 2016, I don't hear it so often any more.

[Sky High]

I've never seen this be used in any meaningful way outside of... Tumblr.

[Deleted]

Is this the word people are using these days to explain away things they don't like without actually mounting an argument against them? I'm curious what those who use it have to say.

It's more nuanced than that.

[Independent voter]

"That's a problem" does the same thing.

My shoe has a hole in it and that's a problem.

My shoe has a hole in it and that's problematic.