I've Never Been PC Over Memes Until Today

[–] xyzzy 5 points (+5|-0)

I have the impression that many of those memers just mock tragedies so they don't have to deal with thinking them through rationally.

[–] das_american 5 points (+5|-0)

The reason this terrorist attack feels worse than the others is because it's being highlighted in the media. Not because it's actually worse by any objective measure.

[–] CDanger 3 points (+3|-0)

I will always defend free speech because a world where the state can ban certain forms of speech that are "offensive" will inevitably lead to a grotesque nanny state (or worse) and even larger resentment, hatred, and radicalisation. This doesn't mean that every speech is good or should be approved, but it is the price we have to pay for that freedom, but this price isn't that bad and it is far better than the alternative.

Regarding terrorist attacks, I think everyone can honestly admit to themselves that we will be seeing lots more of this in the future from both sides as resentment continues to grow. After all, with current immigration policies there is no indication why these trends would reverse. We should honestly ask if this price is worth whatever positives we get out of that; this question has been evaded. That price is too much in my opinion, and I think if anyone seriously considers it and places value on human life, they would reach the same conclusion. It is curious why on days after attacks everyone is shocked but they don't seem to admit that there will be far more of this in the future or consider why this is happening and how to avoid it without sacrificing values of freedom and transforming into an alien society.

[–] jobes 1 points (+1|-0)

We should honestly ask if this price is worth whatever positives we get out of that; this question has been evaded.

The question has certainly been evaded by those blindly supporting the immigration policies, but simply trying to discuss and imply that policy might not be good gets you labeled the standard "racist" and set of other phobias. It's the sort of thing where if I brought up that I think unfettered economic immigration is detrimental to a country, then I could lose my job. I'm not joking. I've had multiple people at work scream at me over the years for just being critical of illegal immigration and sanctuary cities in California.

[–] CDanger 2 points (+2|-0)

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. It is ironic that many of those who most loudly scream for tolerance have no tolerance for those holding views that contradict their own--and certain subjects are absolutely sacrosanct. In truth those are the ones who should be fired, for sowing seeds of discontent and poisoning any chance of peaceful and reasonable discussion, but I grow increasingly worried that we live in a world where the loudest and boldest extremists on both sides shape our future.

This is not a healthy state of affairs for a nation. Making a subject taboo to discuss and harassing and attempting to destroy the livelihood of those who have different beliefs is not what a free, tolerant, healthy, just, and sustainable society looks like. Evading a subject and refusing to debate its merits and demerits on logical grounds bodes very poorly for the future. Censoring opinions of those who disagree with you is really a sign of weakness that your arguments can't stand on their own, but I really worry since there is vanishing support for reasoned and logical debate anymore and vigorous support and respect for all freedoms seems to be receding.

[–] sidewalker_Principle 2 points (+2|-0)

I can understand where you're coming from. I've generally let tragic memes just be a way to make light of a serious situation. When I saw the bay memes and the sandy hook memes I laughed, but it was uncomfortable and I rationalized it as a way to bring humor to a dark subject.

I was always one to believe that laughter is a medicine and it was healthy to make a joke every now and then.

But with this event...it's way too calculated to be a meme from the very beginning. This guy designed the entire attack to be memetic, from the music he played to the phrases scrawled on the weapons. He took meme magic too far.

It is so calculated that I dare say it is becoming a shitty forced meme, and I don't feel that anything to come from this is natural. What I mean is that most memes arise from the ashes of a situation as a natural response to deal with it, but this whole thing smells orchestrated from the onset to go viral and become memetic.

[–] MirrorMan 5 points (+5|-0)

I know this is a stretch, but memes are symbolism and religion incorporates symbolism. Again, a stretch, but the event feels like an act of violence committed by one religion towards another. What really makes this strange is that meme symbolism felt detached before this event. Prior to this reality played out and then the events were viewed through a filter that used meme symbolism to satirize the events. By incorporating the meme symbolism into the act and not letting the filter be applied in reflection much of the darkly comedic power is tainted.

Suppose this had been reversed and an Islamic terrorist had shouted, "Allahu akbar" before shooting. In a darkly comic twist someone could take the footage and splice in the shooter saying, "subscribe to pewdewpie." That was the realm of memes. It was reserved for a clearly alternative and absurdist filter applied to reality as a form of satire. To turn it into a reality just feels so wrong. I can't help but draw religious parallels.

Another ridiculous stretch, but say you and a roommate bought a stupid asian cat statue. You get drunk and make a joke about the statue being "money cat" and all success springs from money cat. You and your roommate keep the joke alive for a few months. Maybe you start to touch money cat for good luck before you leave the house or other stupid superstitions. Then one day you come home and your roommate has ritually sacrificed your real cat to money cat. That is what this feels like.

A satirical symbolic filter has begun to manifest as a form of religious extremism. This particular religion is bone chilling because while other religions work to create structure and hierarchy this religion is founded upon deconstruction. It is the court jester turned king. A perversion of the purpose of the role.

[–] jobes 3 points (+3|-0)

Then one day you come home and your roommate has ritually sacrificed your real cat to money cat

This feels too specific of an example to not have a backstory

[–] jobes 2 points (+2|-0)

So, you're saying some of the memes I've posted in discord have triggered you?

[–] ohphukimintrouble [OP] 1 points (+1|-0)

REEEEE

[–] yeti 0 points (+1|-1)

Meh. Where were all these righteous muslim "victims" when the WTC went down? How upset were they about the shit in Vegas?

Those fuckers are only upset because it happened at a mosque instead of Christian church or a synagogue.

"Hey, you infidels! We're supposed to be the only ones who do that stuff!"

[–] PhunkyPlatypus 1 points (+2|-1)

Oh fuck off you bloody cunt.

[–] Butler_crosley 1 points (+1|-0)

Majority of Muslims denounced the 9/11 attacks, this included countries like Iran, Libya, Pakistan, and Syria. Only Saddam said the US had it coming and then backtracked.

[–] yeti 0 points (+0|-0)

Sure ya. It was right there on TV, next thing after the segment with army of bitches in hijabs and burkas jumping up and down making turkey-gobble noises while wagging their fingers in the air to celebrate. They especially denounced it after the military went into the Middle East.

[–] PhunkyPlatypus 0 points (+0|-0)

Are you seriously doubling down on a video that has been denounced, rejected and debunked for almost two decades as proof that all muslims are evil?

Are you seriously the most dense, convoluted and outright retarded motherfucker to continue to spout this ridiculously propaganda?

Fuck you and the horse your rode in on.

[–] Butler_crosley 0 points (+0|-0)

That was a small minority that celebrated the attacks but they got all the publicity while the majority denounced the attacks.

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[–] CDanger 0 points (+0|-0)

40% of British Muslims want to introduce Sharia law. 38% of Muslims surveyed in 16 major Muslim countries believe suicide bombings and attacks on civilians are justified at least some of the time. Read through some of the other statistics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_attitudes_toward_terrorism

The majority may condemn terrorism, but does that really help much when ~10% completely support suicide bombings and groups like ISIS and ~40% at least have sympathies for those causes? Would we be equally apologetic if 10% of the country were Nazis and 40% were sympathetic for the cause? Let's be consistent in our condemnation of extremism and intolerance.

[–] Butler_crosley 0 points (+0|-0)

The statistics in your link show that most Muslim countries have lower approval of attacking civilians than Americans do. Also they didn't specifically say 40% of British Muslims support sharia law, they said 60% do not but didn't break down the other 40% of the poll. It's possible that entire percentage said yes to sharia law but it's also possible that only a small portion want sharia law to the extent of some Middle Eastern countries.

National Socialism, or Nazism, isn't a comparable example to this debate since it isn't a religion. And I condemn their actions, as well as the actions of any extremist group; however, I don't say all Germans were evil when it was Nazi Germany. The world isn't simple enough to pigeonhole large groups (millions or higher) of people into good or evil. Are there some groups that can be put into one category or the other? Most definitely, but it's usually a minority of the overall group.

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I've Never Been PC Over Memes Until Today

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/s/Whatever