Offendees

So I can't empathise with someone who likes off-colour jokes, and someone who disapproves of swearing has no empathy with me because I occasionally use 4 letter words? That's nonsense. I appreciate there are differences and some people find more things offensive than I do, some people less. If I was to swear at you you would be offended and quite rightly so, no matter how much empathy you felt for me.

Elegran - if this thread is purely about pedantics, then why do you have your last two sentences in your op?

trisher
Your last sentence.
Actually no I wouldnt, though that might be purely the way I take it. The offence is against God.

And yes you can empathise about the rest you have written in your post.

mcem - empathy is a standard of human life is it not?

Oh no! Now it isn't just people being offended for other people it's people being offended for God!!!!

I am not offended for God. He is offended all by Himself.
It doesnt impact on me.

I'd say a factor or a concept but not a standard.
Is there a standard measure of empathy?

Still don't understand your comments over the last few posts. I really can't work out where you're going with this train of thought unless it's simply another example (as was suggested upthread) of egocentricity.

If posters didnt reply to my posts such a lot, I wouldnt post as much.
You barely post, except to me.

elegran and others who might be interested, here is an article about "empathetic correctness" that I read recently and that I think you'll enjoy appreciate.

I would say that there is a basic level of empathy needed in society yes. That is definitely not a concept.
But this may be going off topic somewhat now.
I cant be doing with discussing words just for the sake of it.

Well you could have fooled me, soontobe!

Very interesting article, thatbags. Thanks.

Hello Elegran. I think your OP is spot on, but as an unreconstructed pedant, I can't resist pointing out that you have spelled 'offence' the American way

I have no idea what empathy has to do with offence-taking so am ignoring Soon's 'contributions'.

Expecting a thread on empathy.

Not sure if we have had one on that or not.

Very often I see posters making the precise point I'd make so feel it unnecessary to post simply to say that I agree.
Sometimes I see a thread which I find interesting and if I feel I have something relevant to add I think it through before posting.
Occasionally I see contributions which are so outrageously 'naive' or manipulative or (in the true sense of the word) ignorant, that I bite my tongue no longer and express my views.
I note that I'm usually not alone in expressing these views.
Draw your own conclusions but please rest assured that you are far from being in any way significant in my participation in GN.
Having been a menber of GN from day one I have rarely/never encountered such a level of self-centredness.

Fair enough about if someone has already made the same point.

If a person is ignorant or naive, is that their fault?

I am glad that I am not significant to your participation of gransnet.

For the record. If someone posts to me or about a post I have written, I am likely to reply.

I have said before that if I am not asked as many questions, there would not be anywhere as many posts written by me. Which some of you might like.

And this has gone way off the opening post.

You ask a lot of questions too, soon. Perhaps you could ask fewer.

You don't need to reply to that!! .just think about it!!

Good article, thatbags. I read somewhere that some colleges in the US are providing secure rooms where undergraduates can go for refuge if they are alarmed by the content of any material used in class.

Good grief!

I have given it some thought thatbags.
I will bear it in mind.

I didnt realise that I ask lots of question. Perhaps I do. I will monitor myself.
But if I do ask lots of questions, I assume that other posters and lurkers may wish to know the answers too.
And it makes us all less ignorant and naive!!

I will bear it in mind though.

lilygran! Blimey are these American classes so incredibly upsetting or are the students just daft easily upset?

Did you read thatbags's link Jane? Apparently some passages in The Great Gatsby are especially suspect...