[Classic] Weak Men Are Superweapons

Published: Oct. 26, 2020, 5:50 p.m.

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There was an argument on Tumblr which, like so many arguments on Tumblr, was terrible. I will rephrase it just a little to make a point.

Alice said something along the lines of \\u201cI hate people who frivolously diagnose themselves with autism without knowing anything about the disorder. They should stop thinking they\\u2019re \\u2018so speshul\\u2019 and go see a competent doctor.\\u201d

Beth answered something along the lines of \\u201cI diagnosed myself with autism, but only after a lot of careful research. I don\\u2019t have the opportunity to go see a doctor. I think what you\\u2019re saying is overly strict and hurtful to many people with autism.\\u201d

Alice then proceeded to tell Beth she disagreed, in that special way only Tumblr users can. I believe the word \\u201ccunt\\u201d was used.

I notice two things about the exchange.

First, why did Beth take the bait? Alice said she hated people who\\xa0frivolously\\xa0self-diagnosed\\xa0without knowing anything about the disorder. Beth clearly was not such a person. Why didn\\u2019t she just say \\u201cYes, please continue hating these hypothetical bad people who are not me\\u201d?

Second, why did\\xa0Alice\\xa0take the bait? Why didn\\u2019t she just say \\u201cI think you\\u2019ll find I wasn\\u2019t talking about you?\\u201d

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