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everdrivetoday at 10:59 AM1 replyview on HN

"Privilege" has sort of morphed in an mostly-untouchable insult and I don't think it means very much of anything any longer and should not be used. What it means in practice:

- You can't have an opinion because you're in the wrong group.

- Your opinion is wrong because you're in the wrong group.

- Your opinion is hypocritical (and therefore wrong) because of the group you're in.

It's a big step back with regard to argumentation. Ideas are either correct or not, and the fact that they came from someone who might have some advantages does not weigh in on this.


Replies

MrJohztoday at 3:16 PM

I've not noticed that change in my own conversations, where privilege maintains its pretty clear definition. Maybe you need to find better conversation partners? Or perhaps you're misunderstanding the criticisms that people have of what you're saying?

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