Political Correctness going to far?

[DocBot]

A straw man argument is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position. To "set up a straw man" or "set up a straw man argument" is to describe a position that superficially resembles an opponent's actual view but is easier to refute, then attribute that position to the opponent (for example, deliberately overstating the opponent's position). A straw man argument can be a successful rhetorical technique (that is, it may succeed in persuading people) but it carries little or no real evidential weight, because the opponent's actual argument has not been refuted.

There.

 

[Nanor]

I think this image adresses much better than Wikipedia:

 

[Silk]

I'm not even sure what is meant by straw man.. but if you're going to reply to everyone using that term then I'd assume you're saying you find their opinions/views pointless just because they differ to your own.

Personally I think things like this will get worse before they get better. And it's counter-productive. I honestly think we're starting to get too "soft" on children. They need balance.. they need black and white.. not white and white. They need to reach adulthood knowing the grim realities that will face them, not be deluded into thinking Mummy/Daddy/Teachers will always jump in and fix things / make things "fair".

Not inviting someone to a party is not bullying them. It's freedom of choice. When I was little, if I had two really smelly kids in my class that I just didn't like, or didn't get on with.. or you know.. just had friction between us. And I got on with everyone else.. then I wouldn't invite them. Not to single them out or bully them.. but because it's my birthday, my party, more importantly my house and you know.. I want people there I like. Not rocket science.

 

[Silk]

This is a public service announcement:

Starting now, any straw man arguments in this debate will be pointedly ignored.

*pointedly ignores silkth's argument*

Sorry but I made a good point. Dreading going to school.. is not the same as not being invited to a party. Just because I used myself as an example, does not make the argument less valid.

 

[DocBot]

No, straw man in this case is, among other things, trying to debate whether they should have been invited or not, and attributing me as having based my arguments on that the kid should have been forced to invite the two guys, or something.

As I've said, over and over again, that is not in question here. The real issue - I can only hope that someone actually reads this now but since it hasn't worked before when Big D and I have written it I'm guessing it won't stick now either - is HOW they weren't invited.

 

[DocBot]

You made a good point, if someone had actually said that not being invited to a party would cause anyone to dread going to school. But since noone did, it's kinda pointless, isn't it?

 

[Silk]

Or maybe it would allow the children to enjoy (or at least not dread) their time at school?

I was referring to the above.

 

[Silk]

No, straw man in this case is, among other things, trying to debate whether they should have been invited or not, and attributing me as having based my arguments on that the kid should have been forced to invite the two guys, or something.

As I've said, over and over again, that is not in question here. The real issue - I can only hope that someone actually reads this now but since it hasn't worked before when Big D and I have written it I'm guessing it won't stick now either - is HOW they weren't invited.

There is no "right" way to not invite someone.

Hand out invites in front of them.. they'll be sad to be excluded.
hand out invites behind their back.. they'll find out anyway.. and be sad to be excluded.

But awww, can't be having kids feeling sad can we? Nah lets just pretend life is always happy! Rainbows! Flowers! Sunshine!

 

[BiG D]

I was referring to the above.

And I was referring to bringing equality into the classroom.

 

[Silk]

And I was referring to bringing equality into the classroom.

Equality meaning all kids should treat all kids as equals?

Gone are the days where we could pick our friends eh..

 

[BiG D]

You don't need to be someone's friend to treat them with respect.