Moral Outrage

[BravestHibs]

I've noticed after a while on this board now that the capacity for moral outrage seems to be ever growing and that those who dare to stand against the tide of what is deemed to be 'decent' and 'upstanding' tend to be branded as some kind of monster, irregardless of the reasoning behind their stance. Threads which include emotive topics such as football violence, the BNP and any threads about paedophiles all seem to bring about this knee-jerk reaction. People seem to love illustrating their moral superiority. Why do you think that is? This article basically sums it up for me, even when things have absolutely nothing to do with people still they clamour to be heard, to disassociate themselves from whatever it is causing this weeks red-top scandal. I think it shows the UK up to be some kind of boring country wherein every curtain is twitching with people on the lookout for the next thing to moan about. What does everyone else think?

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/dominic-lawson/dominic-lawson-jimmy-carr-and-the-pomposity-of-those-professing-outrage-1809954.html

[Bayern Bru]

Mmm.

I'm inclined to agree. A lot of the time I just can't be ersed giving my opinion because there's always going to be a couple of potential nutters ready to attack me for my views, whatever they are.

I think the level of potential pedantry also puts some people off. My main reason for steering clear is that if someone believes so strongly that they're right, it doesn't matter whether factually, they are or not - they're still going to swear blind that their opinion is right, and it's futile trying to convince them otherwise.

I do think to a certain extent that it's an offshoot of the country's bizarre love of a good scandal, but from my own experiences with people around my own age (i.e. 18-22), a lot of their opinions or moral outrages come from recycling their parents' opinions. It's slightly worrying when a 19 year old girl thinks that there's a problem with immigration and when asked why she replies "because my dad says there is so there must be."
:bitchy:

[Danderhall Hibs]

That's a good article IMO. You see threads on here everyday with folk taking the moral high ground at every opportunity.

[BravestHibs]

That's a good article IMO. You see threads on here everyday with folk taking the moral high ground at every opportunity.

Exactly my point, I'm trying to work out why. I don't know if they think it makes them look good, or pious or what, but in actuality it just makes people look like they are a whining little b*tch.

[lapsedhibee]

What does everyone else think?


Cracking article and with a bit of luck might herald the start of a pendulum swing to a place where speaking plainly is a pleasure rather than a worry.

[MyJo]

That's a good article IMO. You see threads on here everyday with folk taking the moral high ground at every opportunity. its the threads that are started by these kind of people about a particularly controversial subject looking for people to disagree with them so they can have an argument (or just childishly dismiss others who dont agree in some cases) and impose thier superior morals and opinions on all the facists on here :rolleyes:

[Dashing Bob S]

Agree completely. Too many people sheepishly take their agenda from the red tops and right-wing press and indulge in this knee-jerk puffed-up sad case version of the keyboard hardman, before looking into any issue.

To me it's another manifestation of the power of politics of fear and frustration. In an integrated, complex society people naturally feel powerless, so are given packaged snippets of news presented to appeal to negative stereotypes and then we sit back and watch the feeding frenzy begin.

This kind of opinion giving is a bit like public masturbation, and I hate it's growing primacy on this board. (And anybody who indulges in it is a sick monster who should be executed in the main squares of our towns, and I'd do I'd pull the switch myself, and I'd get a decent night's sleep afterwards...etc etc...)

[ancient hibee]

The capacity of some people to be outraged on behalf of others is unlimited.

[hibsbollah]

Theres nothing wrong with moral outrage if its outrage at things that are outrageous...

http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats

On the other hand....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1223291/Katie-Price-accuses-Peter-Andre-having-affair-bridesmaid.html

But which story is 'news'?

[--------]

Theres nothing wrong with moral outrage if its outrage at things that are outrageous...

http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats

On the other hand....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1223291/Katie-Price-accuses-Peter-Andre-having-affair-bridesmaid.html

But which story is 'news'?


Depends on the reader, I suppose.

Some folks are interested in bimbo celebs' sex lives, and some folks are concerned about world poverty....

I wouldn't want to be judgmental about it in case I'm accused of moral outrageousness.... :wink:

[Tinyclothes]

Well said my man, well said. It's a sign that the only people that have replied to your post are the ones that have been writing sensible replies to the Woody1985's and the filled rolls of this world.

[hibsbollah]

Depends on the reader, I suppose.

Some folks are interested in bimbo celebs' sex lives, and some folks are concerned about world poverty....

I wouldn't want to be judgmental about it in case I'm accused of moral outrageousness.... :wink:

A child dies of hunger every 6 seconds. But its best to live in a 21st century moral vacuum:thumbsup:

[BravestHibs]

Well said my man, well said. It's a sign that the only people that have replied to your post are the ones that have been writing sensible replies to the Woody1985's and the filled rolls of this world.

I'd watch what I say if I were you or you'll get asked for your phone number. :wink:

[Tinyclothes]

I'd watch what I say if I were you or you'll get asked for your phone number. :wink:

Watch your mouth!

[Hainan Hibs]

I agree, too many threads end up with people attempting to be complete smart *****, thinking that they have moral superiority, and then attempt to rip the piss out of other posters to make that poster look stupid or in most cases a racist when they quite clearly are not.

But it is quality see them foam at the mouth when someone uses the phrase "it's PC gone mad":faf:

[BravestHibs]

I agree, too many threads end up with people attempting to be complete smart *****, thinking that they have moral superiority, and then attempt to rip the piss out of other posters to make that poster look stupid or in most cases a racist when they quite clearly are not.

But it is quality see them foam at the mouth when someone uses the phrase "it's PC gone mad":faf:

I think that's the main reason alot of people post on here.

Every post may as well be;

"Let me illustrate my intellectual and moral superiority over a 17 year old who still writes in text message, it's the only way I can maintain my tiny semi".

It winds me up alot of the time and I honestly do wonder what people get out of it.

[Green Mikey]

I think that's the main reason alot of people post on here.

Every post may as well be;

"Let me illustrate my intellectual and moral superiority over a 17 year old who still writes in text message, it's the only way I can maintain my tiny semi".

It winds me up alot of the time and I honestly do wonder what people get out of it.

:grr::grr:

I am outraged on behalf of all the people in the world that I have never met and will never read this post but nontheless would possibly be offended by the fact they have tiny semis!

Agree with the OP. It's state of affairs when people choose to condemn other peoples views instead of engaging them in proper discussion. Moral outrage allows people to believe the are absolutely correct and adds little to a balanced discussion on a topic.

[marinello59]

So are we all morally outraged at the morally outraged then?:greengrin
I don't think people are as easily lead by the media as the media believe.........they attempt to whip up a frenzy out of thin air and then report it as if the country has formed one giant lynch mob to attack their target of the week. People really ain't that dumb. When it is reported that thousands iof people have complained about some indiscrete remark then surely that implies that millions have not. Doesn't it?

[Woody1985]

Well said my man, well said. It's a sign that the only people that have replied to your post are the ones that have been writing sensible replies to the Woody1985's and the filled rolls of this world.


Watch your mouth!

Think you need to get a better understanding of moral outrage Mr C. In no way was I taking the moral highground on the thread in question.

I noticed you never sent it. :wink:

Why am I even bothering. :bitchy:

[lapsedhibee]

its best to live in a 21st century moral vacuum:thumbsup:
Well if I have to live in a vacuum, I hope it's an upright as I'm quite tall. And would that make me morally upright? :confused:

[ArabHibee]

I think that's the main reason alot of people post on here.

Every post may as well be;

"Let me illustrate my intellectual and moral superiority over a 17 year old who still writes in text message, it's the only way I can maintain my tiny semi".

It winds me up alot of the time and I honestly do wonder what people get out of it.

:kettle:

[Bayern Bru]

I think that's the main reason alot of people post on here.

Every post may as well be;

"Let me illustrate my intellectual and moral superiority over a 17 year old who still writes in text message, it's the only way I can maintain my tiny semi".

It winds me up alot of the time and I honestly do wonder what people get out of it.

Yeah. Even at 21, I've had to deal with people on this board who think "oh, he's 21, he can't know what he's talking about," which really is a bit demoralising when it's either a subject I've researched for my degree or just a topic I happen to know a lot about. Too often I don't think people read what others say and just want to get their insults in.

New point for discussion: Some people on this board attempt to exercise moral superiority over others to feel better about themselves, without worrying about the accuracy of their points.

[MyJo]

New point for discussion: Some people on this board attempt to exercise moral superiority over others to feel better about themselves, without worrying about the accuracy of their points.

huh what do you know, your only 21 :rolleyes:...........:greengrin

[Bayern Bru]

huh what do you know, your only 21 :rolleyes:...........:greengrin

Suppose I asked for that one.
:cool2:

[Steve-O]

Mmm.

I'm inclined to agree. A lot of the time I just can't be ersed giving my opinion because there's always going to be a couple of potential nutters ready to attack me for my views, whatever they are.

I think the level of potential pedantry also puts some people off. My main reason for steering clear is that if someone believes so strongly that they're right, it doesn't matter whether factually, they are or not - they're still going to swear blind that their opinion is right, and it's futile trying to convince them otherwise.

I do think to a certain extent that it's an offshoot of the country's bizarre love of a good scandal, but from my own experiences with people around my own age (i.e. 18-22), a lot of their opinions or moral outrages come from recycling their parents' opinions. It's slightly worrying when a 19 year old girl thinks that there's a problem with immigration and when asked why she replies "because my dad says there is so there must be."
:bitchy:

Yes this sort of thing does my nut in. It's not necessarily a parent's view but I find that younger people (not all!) tend to skim the story, read the headline, and form an opinion on the whole thing whilst knowing very little about the actual story.

[Steve-O]

:kettle:

Pot calling the kettle BLACK eh?

Racist :agree:

[Betty Boop]

Yeah. Even at 21, I've had to deal with people on this board who think "oh, he's 21, he can't know what he's talking about," which really is a bit demoralising when it's either a subject I've researched for my degree or just a topic I happen to know a lot about. Too often I don't think people read what others say and just want to get their insults in.
New point for discussion: Some people on this board attempt to exercise moral superiority over others to feel better about themselves, without worrying about the accuracy of their points.

Can't say I have ever noticed that on this forum. In fact one of the most articulate posters is Da-robster and he is thirteen. :greengrin

[BravestHibs]

:kettle:

Hahahaah! You wish you were 17!

I hope that one day you'll be able to get your point across using nothing but the written word. That's my dream for you.

*resorts to using gormless winking emoticons*

[marinello59]

:kettle:


Hahahaah! You wish you were 17!

Tick tock, tick tock goes your biological clock.

Play nice you two. :greengrin

[McSwanky]

Live and let live. Everyone's got their opinions, healthy debate is a good thing, and it's (IMO) a good thing to have people presenting a different point of view.

That said, anyone who regularly reads the Sun or the Star has no right to an opinion. :wink:

[Bayern Bru]

Can't say I have ever noticed that on this forum. In fact one of the most articulate posters is Da-robster and he is thirteen. :greengrin

Very true, although it's happened a number of times to myself and at least a couple of others, maybe more.

Depends on the individual I guess.

[--------]

Very true, although it's happened a number of times to myself and at least a couple of others, maybe more.

Depends on the individual I guess.


Depends on the intellectual value of the opinion you offered in the first place, mate.


*resorts to using gormless winking emoticons* :devil:

[Bayern Bru]

Depends on the intellectual value of the opinion you offered in the first place, mate.


*resorts to using gormless winking emoticons* :devil:

Or, indeed, the intellectual levels of the person replying.
:devil:

[BravestHibs]

Depends on the intellectual value of the opinion you offered in the first place, mate.


*resorts to using gormless winking emoticons* :devil:

Get your own material.

[--------]

Get your own material.


"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..." :wink:

---------- Post added at 11:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:34 AM ----------


Or, indeed, the intellectual levels of the person replying.
:devil:


Indubitably. :agree:

[BravestHibs]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..." :wink:

Plagiarism gets you booted out of uni.

[--------]

Plagiarism gets you booted out of uni.


Not if you know how to go about it properly.... :devil:

[BravestHibs]

Not if you know how to go about it properly.... :devil:

If you're slippery enough you can get away with anything.

[--------]

If you're slippery enough you can get away with anything.


Yup.

Isn't that what the bishop said to the actress? :cool2:

[Woody1985]

I don't know about people views being taken less seriously because of their age (you can hide it you know...).

I think it's more to do with how people interact with each other more than anything. People who have been posting for a while get to know each other, general views, level of intillect, whether they're at the wind up or just generally talk ***** and I suspect will only really take the posts on of the people they know they can have a serious debate with/are interested in their thoughts.

It's pretty much the same as the real world. Someone comes along and joins in your conversation about X, Y, Z and you tend to listen to your mates views with more interest.

That's my view on it anyway.

YOU ALL BETTER READ THIS! :greengrin

[BravestHibs]

Yup.

Isn't that what the bishop said to the actress? :cool2:

What are you banging on about?

*cool sunglasses smiley*

*illicit w*nk when your girlfriends asleep emoticon*

*cheeky winking smiley*

[--------]

What are you banging on about?

*cool sunglasses smiley*

*illicit w*nk when your girlfriends asleep emoticon*

*cheeky winking smiley*

Now THAT's what the actress said to the bishop..... :devil:

[lapsedhibee]

*resorts to using gormless winking emoticons*


*resorts to using gormless winking emoticons*

Can we have an emoticon for this activity please?

[--------]

Can we have an emoticon for this activity please?


Which activity would that be?

Cos if it's not morally and intellectually uplifting, it should be BANNED! :grr:

[BravestHibs]

Now THAT's what the actress said to the bishop..... :devil:

You're like a breathing carry on film.

[--------]

You're like a breathing carry on film.


HEAVY breeeaaaathiiinnngggg...... :devil:


As Kenneth Williams used to say, "It's all these double insinuendos!"

[Dinkydoo]

Moral point scoring is what it is.

These people must have some level of logic that goes a little something like:.....

"I'm offended and outraged by the most simple of perceivable inequalities; therefore I'm better than you."

Sad, sad individuals. :faf:

Now I'm not in any way saying that you shouldn't stand up against inequalities in life - I'm all for equality. But if you take it too far things like "postive discrimination" come into play and being able to describe things as they appear (I.E: Black and White) becomes taboo when the moral point scorers get involved! :rolleyes:

[Bayern Bru]

Moral point scoring is what it is.

These people must have some level of logic that goes a little something like:.....

"I'm offended and outraged by the most simple of perceivable inequalities; therefore I'm better than you."

Sad, sad individuals. :faf:

Now I'm not in any way saying that you shouldn't stand up against inequalities in life - I'm all for equality. But if you take it too far things like "postive discrimination" come into play and being able to describe things as they appear (I.E: Black and White) becomes taboo when the moral point scorers get involved! :rolleyes:

You're only 19 etc., :grr:


:greengrin

[Dinkydoo]

You're only 19 etc., :grr:


:greengrin

Shut it :grr:

:faf:


:agree:


I get that almost every day at work - in subtle and not so subtle forms. :rolleyes:

I'm a Data Support Officer for our HR Info System in NHS D&G, I find it quite ridiculous that people will speak to me about thier query with the system, I'll either fix it or give them advice and they'll still request to speak with my Manager. Sometimes they usually add "No offence" :rolleyes:

I'm not offended, but they should be - thinking that a 19 year old is less competant to carry out thier job than someone older.

[Bayern Bru]

Shut it :grr:

:faf:


:agree:


I get that almost every day at work - in subtle and not so subtle forms. :rolleyes:

I'm a Data Support Officer for our HR Info System in NHS D&G, I find it quite ridiculous that people will speak to me about thier query with the system, I'll either fix it or give them advice and they'll still request to speak with my Manager. Sometimes they usually add "No offence" :rolleyes:

I'm not offended, but they should be - thinking that a 19 year old is less competant to carry out thier job than someone older.

I hear ya. I think certain people just doubt the abilities of someone because of their age, it's happened to me too in a variety of situations. Unless you're a middle aged man in a suit, you must be useless apparently.
:rolleyes:

[Woody1985]

I hear ya. I think certain people just doubt the abilities of someone because of their age, it's happened to me too in a variety of situations. Unless you're a middle aged man in a suit, you must be useless apparently.
:rolleyes:

It's also annoying when you know middleaged people whom are less competent and come to you with queries as you have more knowledge, yet get paid 5k a year more.

[lapsedhibee]

Which activity would that be?
Resorting to using gormless winking emoticons.



Cos if it's not morally and intellectually uplifting, it should be BANNED! :grr:
I find the winking emoticon neither morally uplifting nor gormless. The intellectually upliftingest of the smilies on this board is undoubtedly the Yehudi Menuhin smiley, :violin:, and the intermittent Black And White Minstrel smiley should be BANNED! :shocked:

[Phil D. Rolls]

Agree completely. Too many people sheepishly take their agenda from the red tops and right-wing press and indulge in this knee-jerk puffed-up sad case version of the keyboard hardman, before looking into any issue.

To me it's another manifestation of the power of politics of fear and frustration. In an integrated, complex society people naturally feel powerless, so are given packaged snippets of news presented to appeal to negative stereotypes and then we sit back and watch the feeding frenzy begin.

This kind of opinion giving is a bit like public masturbation, and I hate it's growing primacy on this board. (And anybody who indulges in it is a sick monster who should be executed in the main squares of our towns, and I'd do I'd pull the switch myself, and I'd get a decent night's sleep afterwards...etc etc...)
:faf:

Well said my man, well said. It's a sign that the only people that have replied to your post are the ones that have been writing sensible replies to the Woody1985's and the filled rolls of this world.
:rolleyes::crazy:

A child dies of hunger every 6 seconds. But its best to live in a 21st century moral vacuum:thumbsup:
:violin::soapbox:

I'd watch what I say if I were you or you'll get asked for your phone number. :wink:

:wink:

[--------]

Resorting to using gormless winking emoticons.

Ah. This one > :wink: ?

I find the winking emoticon neither morally uplifting nor gormless. The intellectually upliftingest of the smilies on this board is undoubtedly the Yehudi Menuhin smiley, :violin:, and the intermittent Black And White Minstrel smiley should be BANNED! :shocked:

The winking smilie is awfy handy to let folks know you're not being entirely serious. Sometimes it can come very close to meaning "No offence" at the end of a somewhat offensive posting.

The IBAWMSmilie is the best one for registering moral outrage, IMO. Except now, of course, thanks to you, no one will be able to use it without being accused of rampant racism.... :rolleyes:

[ancient hibee]

:kettle:
Are both these racists steaming?

Frankly I'm getting morally outraged about all the posters on here who are expressing moral outrage about outraged moralists.

[Phil D. Rolls]

The winking smilie is awfy handy to let folks know you're not being entirely serious. Sometimes it can come very close to meaning "No offence" at the end of a somewhat offensive posting.

The IBAWMSmilie is the best one for registering moral outrage, IMO. Except now, of course, thanks to you, no one will be able to use it without being accused of rampant racism.... :rolleyes:

:bitchy::soapbox::agree:

[Phil D. Rolls]

It seems to me that it is a sign that people have no argument to offer when they resort to attacking the personalities of people, or their motivation for putting forward an opinion.

Man posts on internet - "hang paedophiles", who is taking the moral high ground? Woman posts on internet - "these immigrants are bringing us down", who is taking the moral high ground?

Answer - anyone who disagrees with them.

As for there being a section in Britain who seem to be waiting to be offended, it depends what they are offended about. The police get quite offended by crime, in fact I'll wager they start every day thinking "I wonder who I will have to defend today"? Is it a crime to stick up for other people? It seems to me that there are very few threads that start off with people voicing their moral authority, instead it is usually a reply to some moralistic ouburst from another poster that leads to another debate on complex issues.

It seems to me that some people take it very personally if someone disagrees with them. Some people are comfortable fighting their corner, and if I have ever moved my position on an issue on here, it is after debating things with some of those folk. I welcome having my beliefs tested and I welcome people showing me a different angle to an argument. It's about maturity, not age or gender or background.

Bringing us to JimmyCarr. Personally I think some of his humour is nasty and laughing at, rathert than with others. At the end of the day though he is a knob, and we just leave it at that. I am sure there is a lot of black humour at Selly Oak. I am sure the patients would rather not be laughing at their situation. Whether we feel able to laugh with them is up to us. I amn't comfortable and I don't feel I have the right to laugh at limbless soldiers.

I think it was quite a well worked joke, and the irony is apparently appropriate, because caring Jimmy visits Selly Oak. What I know is that I wouldn't tell the gag to a close friend of mine, whose brother recently died in Selly Oak. Moral high ground, or sensitivity?

Dominic Lawson starts his article by accusing other papers of making suppositions, and then fills his piece with whole load of unsubstantiated nonsense.

I agree with the posters who complain about ageist attitudes, and I have been guilty of patronising people in the past(but I'm a really nice guy now don't you know). I have come across strange attitudes in my work as well, I am often thought to know more about the job because of my age and sex - pretty embarrassing.

At the same time, it can be worth listening to older people. I would be ashamed I hadn't had more life experience than younger people,I've lived more days - so if what have I been doing?

In closing, I just want to say that I have personal reasons for speaking up and voicing my opinion. There have been times in my life when I wish I had said what I thought, as not speaking up led to great harm coming to people. That is why if you ask my opinion you will get it.

[Twa Cairpets]

Couple of thoughts

I think that pretty often the standard of debate/discussion on this board is actually pretty good and relatively liberal.There are clearly some pretty bright individuals out there. I dont agree with everyone, but I'm more than happy to debate with people who want to debate. The bombshell mongers, who lob some controversial thought or idea into the mix often disappear after the thread grows legs.

On the moral high ground thing,and to add a wee bot of controversy into the thread, isnt one what person dismisses as "taking the moral high ground" just a reaction to someone else arguing their corner? Hibsbollah, for example, thinks im a smug, opinionated *******. I think i just try to argue my piece!

[hibsbollah]

Couple of thoughts

I think that pretty often the standard of debate/discussion on this board is actually pretty good and relatively liberal.There are clearly some pretty bright individuals out there. I dont agree with everyone, but I'm more than happy to debate with people who want to debate. The bombshell mongers, who lob some controversial thought or idea into the mix often disappear after the thread grows legs.

On the moral high ground thing,and to add a wee bot of controversy into the thread, isnt one what person dismisses as "taking the moral high ground" just a reaction to someone else arguing their corner? Hibsbollah, for example, thinks im a smug, opinionated *******. I think i just try to argue my piece!

This is supposed to be a thread about moral outrage, not about vacuous self-pity:faf: I will stick my neck out and say you are opinionated, although I can't volunteer an opinion on your parentage or smugness.

I think its brilliant people still think about morality and ethics. As the OP pointed out from the link, often the people that claim the moral high ground in the public sphere are just doing it from a sense of superiority or for political reasons.

[Phil D. Rolls]

Couple of thoughts

I think that pretty often the standard of debate/discussion on this board is actually pretty good and relatively liberal.There are clearly some pretty bright individuals out there. I dont agree with everyone, but I'm more than happy to debate with people who want to debate. The bombshell mongers, who lob some controversial thought or idea into the mix often disappear after the thread grows legs.

On the moral high ground thing,and to add a wee bot of controversy into the thread, isnt one what person dismisses as "taking the moral high ground" just a reaction to someone else arguing their corner? Hibsbollah, for example, thinks im a smug, opinionated *******. I think i just try to argue my piece!

I think so, it digresses from the argument and focus attention on the person's motivation. At the end of the day if people give their opinion - eg hang the poor or racists are ok, then they should be willing to defend it.

It seems to me that when they can't defend it that's when all the nonsense about PC etc comes out. There have been some fascinating exchanges on here that have been very educational. There has also been some petty name calling.

[The Green Goblin]

I think this forum is great, and I really enjoy reading all the arguments and exchanges.

However, I think the general tendency these days to react and condemn people enthusiastically with hardly a moment`s thought ultimately stems from a lack of self worth.

This stems from the `top` - it`s a reflection of the standard of leadership over any particular group, in the same way that, for example, a school`s standards are only as good as the head at the helm. Thus, with a rank rotten leadership running the country at the moment, people look to feel better about themselves by dumping on easy targets.

None of this has anything to do with voicing opinions and defending them though. That`s a totally different matter.

GG

[wpj]

Shut it :grr:

:faf:


:agree:


I get that almost every day at work - in subtle and not so subtle forms. :rolleyes:

I'm a Data Support Officer for our HR Info System in NHS D&G, I find it quite ridiculous that people will speak to me about thier query with the system, I'll either fix it or give them advice and they'll still request to speak with my Manager. Sometimes they usually add "No offence" :rolleyes:

I'm not offended, but they should be - thinking that a 19 year old is less competant to carry out thier job than someone older.

I see that in the NHS too, I build up a rapport with younger staff (no, not in a moraly outragable way) and it works well with finance, IT, supplies etc (ok,and HR) I will always let their manager know when they have been helpfull too.

[Twa Cairpets]

This is supposed to be a thread about moral outrage, not about vacuous self-pity:faf: I will stick my neck out and say you are opinionated, although I can't volunteer an opinion on your parentage or smugness. These are the nicest things you'll likely ever say about me. :wink:

I think its brilliant people still think about morality and ethics. As the OP pointed out from the link, often the people that claim the moral high ground in the public sphere are just doing it from a sense of superiority or for political reasons.

Spot on. One unfortunate consequence of the unbelievable growth in communication media in the last 20 years is the ability to for people to become more outraged on the basis of less information. If you form your opinion on soundbites, when you are challenged, the only recourse is bluster and anger. If your argument is based on Daily Mail headlines, once its been shown up to be absurd, all you can do is shout.

If you are a politician wanting to show your credentials, you are more likely to knee jerk to the apparent high ground as you will know it will grab the most attention.

[matty_f]

Moral outrage is easy because it requires generally little thought to give an opinion. You take racism as an example - it's easy to label something as racist, it's easy to ignore things like context, intent, meaning and instead yell "racism", because it's a hard thing to defend against (most of the "isms" can fall into the same category, IMHO).

People are fed their opinions from the media and from the people they interact with every day. Those that shout loudest influence a great deal of people that don't or can't think for themselves.

Part of it comes from, I think, people wanting to have a definitive solution to things. Someone commits a bad crime - they're evil and s**m of the Earth - we can say this because the facts say that the person's done something wrong and so from our position of moral superiority we have the loudest voice. It's easier for a lot people to see things in black and white, right and wrong. These are the people that are the quickest to explode with moral outrage, IMHO.

I think some people struggle with the fact that there are grey areas with things, that people that have done horrible things could have had a life of horrible things happen to them and so all they know is that form of life. It doesn't excuse their crimes, or absolve them of responsibility but when people understand these things they are far slower to pass judgement and far less likely to jump on bandwagons of moral outrage.

[Phil D. Rolls]

Moral outrage is easy because it requires generally little thought to give an opinion. You take racism as an example - it's easy to label something as racist, it's easy to ignore things like context, intent, meaning and instead yell "racism", because it's a hard thing to defend against (most of the "isms" can fall into the same category, IMHO).

People are fed their opinions from the media and from the people they interact with every day. Those that shout loudest influence a great deal of people that don't or can't think for themselves.

Part of it comes from, I think, people wanting to have a definitive solution to things. Someone commits a bad crime - they're evil and s**m of the Earth - we can say this because the facts say that the person's done something wrong and so from our position of moral superiority we have the loudest voice. It's easier for a lot people to see things in black and white, right and wrong. These are the people that are the quickest to explode with moral outrage, IMHO.

I think some people struggle with the fact that there are grey areas with things, that people that have done horrible things could have had a life of horrible things happen to them and so all they know is that form of life. It doesn't excuse their crimes, or absolve them of responsibility but when people understand these things they are far slower to pass judgement and far less likely to jump on bandwagons of moral outrage.

Well said, it's a big frustration when people make concrete statements about how they would deal with an issue,and then watching them crumble the minute their proposition is challenged. Nobody wins because they then dig their heels in and stick to an untenable position - or they slope off and try again until they find someone who agrees with them.

Given a choice between changing and proving that it is not necessary, most people get busy with the proof - John Galbraith

[greenlex]

I think this forum is great, and I really enjoy reading all the arguments and exchanges.

However, I think the general tendency these days to react and condemn people enthusiastically with hardly a moment`s thought ultimately stems from a lack of self worth.

This stems from the `top` - it`s a reflection of the standard of leadership over any particular group, in the same way that, for example, a school`s standards are only as good as the head at the helm. Thus, with a rank rotten leadership running the country at the moment, people look to feel better about themselves by dumping on easy targets.

None of this has anything to do with voicing opinions and defending them though. That`s a totally different matter.

GG
GG I thought for a moment there you were gonna get stuck into the Admins there. :greengrin

[Dinkydoo]

I see that in the NHS too, I build up a rapport with younger staff (no, not in a moraly outragable way) and it works well with finance, IT, supplies etc (ok,and HR) I will always let their manager know when they have been helpfull too.


:top marks

The NHS would be a lot more productive if everyone shared your view.

You shouldn't be judged on your position, pay or age.

I personally feel that you should see everyone as competant staff members unless proven otherwise (a little like innocent before proven guilty).

This way people would get more credit for thier intellect and how they implement thier skills in day to day work rather than people forming a prejudiced opinion that blurs thier perception of reality based on the the three pretty meaningless examples I've given above.

Good stuff.

[Betty Boop]

Plenty of moral outrage being shown on the main board. Some who were blase on here about racism and political correctness, are outraged about people not wearing poppies, and the disruption of a minutes silence in a football stadium. (even though the noise came from outside). It just goes to show different srokes for different folks! :greengrin

[--------]

Plenty of moral outrage being shown on the main board. Some who were blase on here about racism and political correctness, are outraged about people not wearing poppies, and the disruption of a minutes silence in a football stadium. (even though the noise came from outside). It just goes to show different srokes for different folks! :greengrin


People who are OK with racism have been known to be keen on folks wearing badges for easy identification - it's a sort of 'friend or foe' thing.

"Wearing a poppy? Good guy."

"Wearing a yellow star? Kick him to death....."

[heretoday]

Good thread. We're a nation of Daily Mail reactionaries who think the neighbours are "no better than they should be".