The Death of Are

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It is very odd when someone simply refuses to look at the fact that they are ignorant about a specific subject. It is not patronizing to point out that we are talking about two entirely different meanings of the same word. I am referring to the denotation, which I have quite clearly stated from the beginning. And you are talking about the connotative meanings of the word. Most words stem from roots and that is how they derive their literal meaning. If I point out, from the beginning, that I am using the word in its literal sense and you keep pointing out the various connotations of the word, then it is quite puzzling. Either you don't understand the difference between the two or you are simply trolling me to try and gain an emotional affect.
(This post was last modified: 2017-09-25, 03:05 PM by chuck.)
If your point is that someone may be upset because they are ignorant of the fact that I am using the denotation, then that may well be the case. But to insist that I am using the word incorrectly is sheer stupidity.
(2017-09-25, 03:07 PM)chuck Wrote: If your point is that someone may be upset because they are ignorant of the fact that I am using the denotation, then that may well be the case. But to insist that I am using the word incorrectly is sheer stupidity.
I can't see what has given you the sense that anyone is suggesting you're using the word incorrectly. It depends what you're trying to achieve by using in the context in which it occurs as far as I can see. It seems to me tim is simply pointing out in the context of your original remark, that it was perhaps not the best choice of word.

The difficulty with the word 'ignorant' is that it can, and often is, used as an insult - you know this. 

I have only ever seen or heard the word used in a context that was not intended to be insulting or demeaning, when there was a specific object for the word: i.e. He was ignorant of the fact,  or similar. To use it without that qualification is to risk it being interpreted as an insult. I am sure that's the same in the the USA as it is in the UK. Even in the correct context, use of the word is, at best, neutral.

FWIW my personal opinion of the way you used the word without clear qualification (i.e. you did not explain how 'ignorant' would be an improvement on the original word it replaced 'unkind') is that it is highly likely to be regarded as an insulting or demeaning use of it. Perhaps that's not what you intended? If it was, then you're ignorance of the way it might be read is remedied Smile

Perhaps you wanted the word 'careless' or perhaps 'insensitive' rather than ignorant? Smile
(This post was last modified: 2017-09-25, 03:40 PM by Obiwan.)
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(2017-09-25, 03:04 PM)chuck Wrote: It is very odd when someone simply refuses to look at the fact that they are ignorant about a specific subject. It is not patronizing to point out that we are talking about two entirely different meanings of the same word. I am referring to the denotation, which I have quite clearly stated from the beginning. And you are talking about the connotative meanings of the word. Most words stem from roots and that is how they derive their literal meaning. If I point out, from the beginning, that I am using the word in its literal sense and you keep pointing out the various connotations of the word, then it is quite puzzling. Either you don't understand the difference between the two or you are simply trolling me to try and gain an emotional affect.

I am well aware of the two meanings of the word, believe it or not. It is extremely patronising to just assume that I didn't know that. It's also ignorant behaviour too.

Kamarling is from England and the word ignorant is an insult (now). It has morphed in the same way that the term hot dog now means a sausage on a bun instead of a dog that's been overdoing the sunbathing. Hot head is a similar term, Chuck !!!
(2017-09-25, 03:07 PM)chuck Wrote: If your point is that someone may be upset because they are ignorant of the fact that I am using the denotation, then that may well be the case. But to insist that I am using the word incorrectly is sheer stupidity.



Bong ! Sheer stupidity !! Insult number 3 Wink What was it you were saying a couple of days ago about you being polite ? How do you think you're doing ?
(2017-09-25, 03:36 PM)Obiwan Wrote: I can't see what has given you the sense that anyone is suggesting you're using the word incorrectly. It depends what you're trying to achieve by using in the context in which it occurs as far as I can see. It seems to me tim is simply pointing out in the context of your original remark, that it was perhaps not the best choice of word.

The difficulty with the word 'ignorant' is that it can, and often is, used as an insult - you know this. 

I have only ever seen or heard the word used in a context that was not intended to be insulting or demeaning, when there was a specific object for the word: i.e. He was ignorant of the fact,  or similar. To use it without that qualification is to risk it being interpreted as an insult. I am sure that's the same in the the USA as it is in the UK. Even in the correct context, use of the word is, at best, neutral.

FWIW my personal opinion of the way you used the word without clear qualification (i.e. you did not explain how 'ignorant' would be an improvement on the original word it replaced 'unkind') is that it is highly likely to be regarded as an insulting or demeaning use of it. Perhaps that's not what you intended? If it was, then you're ignorance of the way it might be read is remedied Smile

Perhaps you wanted the word 'careless' or perhaps 'insensitive' rather than ignorant? Smile
Well. I can't possibly express the entirety of the meaning I wish to share within one post. As you can see in that thread and now this one I have continued to clarify and expand my original thought. 

Along with copying and pasting inconstancies from one particular user into a single post in order to display those inconsistencies, pointing out one single post in a long series of posts and then characterizing the meaning using that one post instead of the entirety is a kind of forum behavior that can be fun, but also can be irritating.

I've already conceded the fact that people may be put off by the initial use of the word. 

You said that I didn't make a clear qualification, when that is exactly what I have been doing all morning. I have been defining and qualifying exactly what I mean when I use the word ignorant. I have gone so far as to say that I myself am ignorant of almost everything. I would even qualify myself as an ignoramus in the true meaning of the word.

Then I not only said that the act of advertising a particular users inconsistencies could arise from unkindness or ignorance, but also probably 10,000 other motives. Many of which could be altruistic.

I have always personally used the word ignorant in the manner which I explained. I am perfectly fine being ignorant. We all are. Ignorance can be remedied with knowledge. Stupidity is a much more debilitating
(2017-09-25, 03:38 PM)tim Wrote: I am well aware of the two meanings of the word, believe it or not. It is extremely patronising to just assume that I didn't know that. It's also ignorant behaviour too.

Kamarling is from England and the word ignorant is an insult (now). It has morphed in the same way that the term hot dog now means a sausage on a bun instead of a dog that's been overdoing the sunbathing. Hot head is a similar term, Chuck !!!

I'm sure many English people would be embarrassed to think that the primary "meaning" of the word ignorant is an insult. It is really quite the opposite. Recognizing one's own ignorance is the only true path to learning. It is those who already know who so stubbornly resist true knowledge.
(This post was last modified: 2017-09-25, 03:59 PM by chuck.)
(2017-09-25, 03:44 PM)tim Wrote: Bong ! Sheer stupidity !! Insult number 3 Wink What was it you were saying a couple of days ago about you being polite ? How do you think you're doing ?

It is only those who insist that I am using the word incorrectly who are stupid, Tim. You may or may not count yourself in that camp as you choose.
(2017-09-25, 03:56 PM)chuck Wrote: I'm sure many English people would be embarrassed to think that the primary "meaning" of the word ignorant is an insult. It is really quite the opposite. Recognizing one's own ignorance is the only true path to learning. It is those who already know who so stubbornly resist true knowledge.

I didn't say it was. Now you're trying the old Chuck shuffle to try and extricate yourself as usual.
(2017-09-25, 03:38 PM)tim Wrote: I am well aware of the two meanings of the word, believe it or not. It is extremely patronising to just assume that I didn't know that. It's also ignorant behaviour too.

Kamarling is from England and the word ignorant is an insult (now). It has morphed in the same way that the term hot dog now means a sausage on a bun instead of a dog that's been overdoing the sunbathing. Hot head is a similar term, Chuck !!!

Actually words like "hot dog" and "hot head" can more neatly be described as idioms. There is a difference between the connotative meanings of words and idioms.

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