Watchmen [chat]

The world will look up and shout, "Save us!"
And I'll whisper, "No."

Star Trek (2009): Fourth Trailer

Zero Punctuation: Spiderman: Web of Shadows

Fuck "No Cussing Week". Fuck McKay Hatch.

So, McKay Hatch started a 'No Cussing Club' at his school because he was sick and fucking tired of putting up with fuckers who cuss all the god damned time. The city of Los Angeles, since it has solved all other problems, has so declared this to be No Cussing Week. So, if you are in Los Angeles this week, you had god damned better not fucking cuss.

Ok, now that the obligatory jokes are out of the way...

What is the difference between calling someone a "fuck-brained shithead" and an "unread, vapid moron"? Per McKay Hatch's argument, the former, which contains cursing, is detrimental whereas the latter, which does not contain cursing, is not detrimental. Well, of course McKay Hatch does not think that. Calling someone an "unread, vapid moron" is, probably, detrimental to that persons sense of well-being.

The question to ask, then, is if language other than cursing can prove detrimental to individuals, if the removal of cursing alone does not remove the "problem" of hurtful language, then why focus upon the cursing? If the motto of the club is "LEAVE PEOPLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND THEM!"* then whence the focus upon cursing? To simply abstain from cursing is not to necessarily "better" others. I, for example, could damage the emotions of many without ever cursing. But I own a Thesaurus.

I could understand attemping to better others by engaging in behaviors which actually better others in significant ways. But to focus a club upon the removal of cursing and assume that to be a significant means of bettering others is just plain fucking stupid. It demonstrates an inability to clearly understand the linear progression of causes and effects. Cursing is not the sole cause of harm. Cursing, I would wager, is not even a significant cause of harm when one considers the great realm of harmful things.

So if you want people to stop cursing? That's fine. If you want to better others? That's fine, too. But don't conflate the two.

You specious, juvenile, erroneous, unfounded, illogical dolt.

*Yes, I read your fucking site, asshole.