I miss your podcast, Theo. I understand why it wou...

2011-04-12T12:38:57.423+10:00

I miss your podcast, Theo. I understand why it would be hard to bring it back, though. I hope you're well.

Thanks for the podcast, I really enjoyed it. Loved...

2010-07-08T18:50:04.358+10:00

Thanks for the podcast, I really enjoyed it. Loved the account of the hoax. Just recommended your podcast to mah tweeps.

I winced at Ben's "anything you say you're guaranteed to offend someone". It's a typical way to disclaim responsibility for the effect your words have on others. (And it's simply not true that everything you say is offensive.) No one has the "right" not to be offended, it's true, negative freedom, but balanced with that, people have the right to live without fear and hatred and denigration, positive freedom.

Some people are more vulnerable to hate-words than others, there's no absolute moral right to not cause harm to others, but I'd call it the mark of a decent human being to try not to. Of course it's often debatable when something causes harm or not, but calling everyone equally fair game from the outset ignores the very un-level playing field we're living on. Not that I'm saying Ben was necessarily arguing this, just using it as a springboard to discuss a common point of debate! And when two fairly powerful factions in an argument are at each others' throats (rather than more powerful picking on the dispossessed), hate and disrespect might bring short-term satisfaction but it mightn't do much for healing relations, there's no absolute "right" in the matter, but those speaking really should own to possible consequences.

Of course, there's also the playground-esque "do words really hurt?" question some ask, with the implication that those who are hurt are simply sensitive and need to get a life and spine. All I can say to those who think words can't cause/excacerbate/ignite/reinforce real-world harm is: maaate, what fortunate cotton-wool cocoon/sphere of experience are you living in?

Comments on The Skeptic's Field Guide: Podcast - Hunting Humbug 101: Tutorial 36 - False ...

I miss your podcast, Theo. I understand why it wou...

Thanks for the podcast, I really enjoyed it. Loved...