When things that are awful and disgusting are uttered in an ill-intentioned way, it works toward allowing it back into public consciousness as 'normal'. Allowing stuff like this in easy conversation is similar to condoning harmful things.... we do it from time to time; but there really should be a check put on the reflexive nature of endorsing known stupidity. I used to joke about drinking and driving..... Would NEVER think to do so today. That is because we are are sentient beings and together through society, for all its frig-ups, are constructing a social world of what is and what is not acceptable. In the 1940's for instance, there was not a problem with a man hitting a wife. Now hitting your mate is referred to in legal 'meaningful terms' as spousal abuse. One used to throw garbage at one's arse.... no consequences. Now it is called 'littering'. The further down the road we go, the more inequalities we can name and bring under jurisdiction. The further we go the more we socially construct our world. The more we socially construct our world, the more civilized we become. But it is for each of us to have eyes to look for things like this; because if it is left to only a few then a great imbalance will develop and we will have mistakes in our planned evolution.
This message has been edited by Dr.Ink on Aug 8, 2009 5:48 AM