Last week I heard a comment from Arianna Huffington about the rise of incivility on her blog site and the Internet in general. So much so that the Huffington Post bought a company to monitor her site and block offensive comments—including using words like Nazi, moron, and empty suit.
I’m not sure of the exact context of Ms. Huff’’s comment, but I’m thinking maybe she was referring to comments posters make toward each other? You see plenty of that everywhere. Sometimes it is so irrational/mean-spirited/angry, it makes me cringe.
But if public figures or people in the news act like idiots, I think moron is appropriate. For instance, Lindsay Lohan screwing up her Hollywood career: moron.
Mark Hurd screwing up his great job as CEO of Hewlett Packard because of “misconduct” surrounding a sexual harassment scandal: moron.
Personally, I like the word moron. I use it frequently, along with bonehead, dolt, ditz, nitwit, and nincompoop. I call it like it is, IMHO.
I’ve also used the word Nazi-ish on this site—when I described Arizona’s anti-immigration law requiring U.S. citizens to carry “I’m legal” papers in case they are stopped by the police.
As far as empty suit goes, I don’t think I’ve ever used that phrase. Not because it crosses some kind of incivility line (which it doesn’t in my book), but because it is not flamboyant enough for me if I’m going to slam someone.
I also don’t use the word loser. For me that word requires more of a judgment call (with omniscient powers)—of which I’m not qualified.
For instance, Lindsay Lohan screwing up her Hollywood career makes her behavior stupid and immature (hence, moronic). But it doesn’t necessarily make her aloser. One day the whole jail bird/rehab thing may work in her favor. Plus, she’s young enough to straighten up and recover.
I’m amazed at Matt Taibbi’s way with words. He can criticize dickwads with salty language that to me is funny and not offensive in the slightest. (Maybe because I agree with him?) But I guess he would be bleeped from the Huff Post by the word monitor.
And so would I.
Because when 1.) Obama turns out to be BlowBama—or 2.) Sarah Palin displays her unrefudiated language skills—or 3.) Tony Hayward whines that he wants his life back—only the exact word—a mot juste—will do.
1. Blowhard.
2. Moron.
3. Schmuck.
Uncivil? Keeping with my Frenchie theme… à chacun son goût… to each his own.
