"'The Vibe Shift is taking off the ironic veil that aims to cover the festering wounds of despair and putting on the vestments of seriousness instead.'
(So … who the fuck knows, honestly, but it doesn’t sound like anything Elon Musk is currently doing.)"
I can translate this for Robyn. "Taking off the ironic veil" means that Fascists can be openly Fascist. "Putting on the vestments of seriousness" means getting their Brownshirt on.
What's really interesting is the glimpse you get into the RW authoritarian mind...EVERYTHING is about 'permission' from 'higher up'...They have NO concept of cultural collateral of how social opprobrium works...They REALLY thought that they weren't 'allowed' to say those words and that that is the only reason it wasn't OK to say them...
Your headline caught my eye, because I've noticed that word being used everywhere again. I have a daughter with Down syndrome who is 53 years old, and I've put up with this shit for a long time. I remember the last time it was being used a lot, the young girl checking me and my daughter out at a CVS was ranting about her chipped fingernail polish and used the word retarded about 5 times. Fortunately, my daughter wasn't paying attention.
I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to make a scene in front her but I swear if it happens again, I'm going ballistic. I quit calling people out online because it's clear they love the attention and probably would make them use it more. I just hope it doesn't happen in person when I'm alone because I'm in no mood these days. Something about watching your country being destroyed by a bunch of Nazis puts you on a hair trigger.
Stunningly well-crafted opinion piece, Robyn. Bravo. (From a retired journalist who cherishes thoughtful, meaty writing that makes an emotional connection with readers.) I read a lot of political opinion pieces and have never commented on them, but simply couldn't resist this time. Keep up the good work!
Middlesex is a county in MA, not a town. And one of the bluest in the cobalt blue state at that. I see Dan Edmondson’s bullshit and raise him a of all the things that never happened, this never happened the most. Now if they were “raging” at DOGE, that I would believe.
"Cretin" is from a southern pronunciation of "chretien", French for "Christian"; it originally referred to people who would swallow what the Church said, hook, line, and sinker (the south of France was full of heretics and freethinkers until forcibly stomped on). It fits.
I don't mind calling something that has been slowed or delayed retarded, but I often use old definitions of words.
In my opinion all words are usable in the right context, and if it hurts someone it probably isn't the right context. Though occasionally pushing the envelope isn't a bad thing, and social conflict over word-use is just a part of normal human interaction so it shouldn't be taken as a reason to stop using a word, just as a reason to consider why you chose that word.
I also consider accidentally hurting someone with a word a reason for self-reflection. Doesn't mean I always stop using the word, but I take a second or two to think about it.
Robyn, i wish i could upvote your post a million times
"'The Vibe Shift is taking off the ironic veil that aims to cover the festering wounds of despair and putting on the vestments of seriousness instead.'
(So … who the fuck knows, honestly, but it doesn’t sound like anything Elon Musk is currently doing.)"
I can translate this for Robyn. "Taking off the ironic veil" means that Fascists can be openly Fascist. "Putting on the vestments of seriousness" means getting their Brownshirt on.
My phone is old school! Says Gulf of Mexico! It's odd how that feels like a victory....
What's really interesting is the glimpse you get into the RW authoritarian mind...EVERYTHING is about 'permission' from 'higher up'...They have NO concept of cultural collateral of how social opprobrium works...They REALLY thought that they weren't 'allowed' to say those words and that that is the only reason it wasn't OK to say them...
I for one can't WAIT to see the 'America-focused' cultural offerings they have up their creative sleeves for the Kennedy Center...!
This is quite a compelling piece of writing. Brava!!
Kicking some ass, Robyn. Great post!
Your headline caught my eye, because I've noticed that word being used everywhere again. I have a daughter with Down syndrome who is 53 years old, and I've put up with this shit for a long time. I remember the last time it was being used a lot, the young girl checking me and my daughter out at a CVS was ranting about her chipped fingernail polish and used the word retarded about 5 times. Fortunately, my daughter wasn't paying attention.
I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to make a scene in front her but I swear if it happens again, I'm going ballistic. I quit calling people out online because it's clear they love the attention and probably would make them use it more. I just hope it doesn't happen in person when I'm alone because I'm in no mood these days. Something about watching your country being destroyed by a bunch of Nazis puts you on a hair trigger.
" Something about watching your country being destroyed by a bunch of Nazis puts you on a hair trigger."
yep...
ditto
Oh there’s a “vibe shift” coming, and the magats aren’t going to like it.
Stunningly well-crafted opinion piece, Robyn. Bravo. (From a retired journalist who cherishes thoughtful, meaty writing that makes an emotional connection with readers.) I read a lot of political opinion pieces and have never commented on them, but simply couldn't resist this time. Keep up the good work!
Middlesex is a county in MA, not a town. And one of the bluest in the cobalt blue state at that. I see Dan Edmondson’s bullshit and raise him a of all the things that never happened, this never happened the most. Now if they were “raging” at DOGE, that I would believe.
The yen to self-identify is strong...
Can I bring back "moron" or "cretin" to describe right-wingers?
"Cretin" is from a southern pronunciation of "chretien", French for "Christian"; it originally referred to people who would swallow what the Church said, hook, line, and sinker (the south of France was full of heretics and freethinkers until forcibly stomped on). It fits.
Heretics and freethinkers are way cooler than Christians.
Neat, you learn something new everyday.
I used to call people “retards.” I was 6. I grew up.
I call certain materials fire retardant.
I don't mind calling something that has been slowed or delayed retarded, but I often use old definitions of words.
In my opinion all words are usable in the right context, and if it hurts someone it probably isn't the right context. Though occasionally pushing the envelope isn't a bad thing, and social conflict over word-use is just a part of normal human interaction so it shouldn't be taken as a reason to stop using a word, just as a reason to consider why you chose that word.
Are you using a word to be a dick? Don't use it. Easy-peasy.
Are you George Carlin twisting and pulling the English language into knots to make a well-thought-out point? Let me clear the way.
I also consider accidentally hurting someone with a word a reason for self-reflection. Doesn't mean I always stop using the word, but I take a second or two to think about it.
That falls under "don't be a dick"
I thought the "using words to" means you did it intentionally. Isn't that what "[verb] to" means?
https://substack.com/profile/155629765-sterwonk/note/c-93081052
<voice type="Pam Beesly">It's the same picture</voice>
https://substack.com/profile/155629765-sterwonk/note/c-93079650