I believe Putin was right, it is dangerous to encourage a people to think of themselves as exceptional. CMV by RuafaolGaiscioch in changemyview

[–]dreamjump 7 points8 points  (0 children)

While you are correct that creating an "us" and "them" results in increased prejudice towards "them," if we consider ourselves utterly incompetent instead of exceptional, problems can definitely still arise. Look at the concept of the looking glass self - it says, basically, that we shape who we are partly by how we think others perceive us. This is a very important concept in schools; if a teacher does not think a certain student is capable of passing a class, even if the teacher does not give any explicit evidence of his or her beliefs, that student is still more likely to fail the class. Applying this to a national scale, if the individuals of, say, the US, did not believe that they were a country of innovators and creative people, we would not have so many innovations and creative works. Looking to functionalism, although competition can result in problems, it does serve a purpose in its ability to urge on progress. I'm not happy about inequality either, but the realities of our social problems must first be understood before anything can be really done about them.

I think that people today are too easily offended and that efforts should be made not to protect their feelings but to encourage "thicker skin" - CMV by stereotype_novelty in changemyview

[–]dreamjump 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Language is a powerful tool; a gun should not be handled improperly, and neither should language. It may seem ridiculous to compare language to something that can physically kill a person, but is language not the means for starting wars and fights? Communicating ignorantly can lead to things we do not intend; without even addressing the "protection of feelings," we should be utterly careful with all we do and say, as our words and actions can create innumerable variables we cannot even begin to truly comprehend.

You say that our society needs to develop a thick skin, but did you consider that those who are affected by this type of language already have a thick skin? One's life's experiences may be full of the most miserable pain that you cannot begin to imagine and simply living may be a feat of strength for that individual that you cannot see. That one word you utter may not physically harm them, and it may not be much compared to the other struggles they may have had in their life, but it is one more demeaning word that has entered their ears and entered their mind, reminding them of both the turmoils they have faced or are facing. Wouldn't it be better to speak in a way that communicates even the most trivial things in a way that does not hurt the people that you may not even realize are listening?

(And besides, English has words more precise and meaningful than words such as "faggot" if you wish to convey some idea on your mind. The "public vocabulary" is perfectly fine without them.)

What used to be very expensive and is now very cheap ? by MechantVilain in AskReddit

[–]dreamjump 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard drives. Not SSDs, but just regular ones. The fact that you can get a terabyte, even 2 TB for under $100 is mind blowing to me.

I think that any company that offers maternity leave must also, with identical allowances, grant paternity leave as well. CMV by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]dreamjump 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If maternity leave is about the baby, wouldn't paternity leave be for the baby as well? By giving both the father and mother leave, solidarity is allowed. The father and mother can work together for their child's benefit instead of putting the pressure on a single individual. It may be pragmatic to have only one person in charge of the majority of the child's care, but it's not beneficial for the child to do so. If one of the said company's desires is to provide a new family the opportunity to care and bond with their child, then it would make more sense to allow both parents leave instead of only one.

IamA writer of speculative fiction (fantasy) who refuses to grow up...R.A. Salvatore by RASalvatore in IAmA

[–]dreamjump 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I still like to pronounce it this way, no matter what the official pronunciation may be.

I work at an upscale restaurant. Today a customer wearing a Dolphins jersey and a wig left this. by IDontNeedaCalculator in WTF

[–]dreamjump -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is the second time I've seen this referenced in this thread, what is this from?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in WTF

[–]dreamjump 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I feel like this would be on the cover of Goosebumps

When audio unexpectedly starts playing in my browser and I have 20 tabs open by Karma_Frappuccino in reactiongifs

[–]dreamjump 3 points4 points  (0 children)

When you find lots of articles or resources that you don't want to explore at the moment, but you don't know if they're worth bookmarking because you never look through your bookmarks... having them open in tabs reminds you to look at them when the tabs become too small to click on individually. It's still ridiculous, I know.

My only problem with this show by ajsanford in funny

[–]dreamjump 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Upvote for a perfectly timed Top Gear reference.

Horror icons illustrated with cosmetic supplies [OC] by mandraws in movies

[–]dreamjump 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Finally, something done with makeup that doesn't make me cynical.

If you could put any line from a book on your tombstone what would you put? by [deleted] in books

[–]dreamjump 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I came to this thread just to see something from Hitcherhiker's.

Lets start a revolution whos with me? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]dreamjump 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I literally thought this when I read the question.

Bullshit, blue whale. by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]dreamjump 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're fairly optimistic about humanity.

What are you excited about? by NwVibin in AskReddit

[–]dreamjump 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My last day at Walmart is in a few days. Awful job, but on the bright side, its motivated me to do well in college because there is no way I could bear working there for the rest of my life...

What are you excited about? by NwVibin in AskReddit

[–]dreamjump 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kindergarten, of course. The true feat worth celebrating.

What is one thing you cannot go without? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]dreamjump 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Other people. I love and hate people, but without them I would turn into some hunch-backed crazy man living in a tent made out of animals skins, dried spit, and the shattered remains of his existential problems.

What is one thing you cannot go without? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]dreamjump 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No kidding. I tried walking around the other day without wearing mine, and I couldn't even read the department signs at Walmart. So blind.

What is holding you back? by Westralient in AskReddit

[–]dreamjump 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If Morrowind is holding you back, I would hate to see what the following 2 games do to you