You’re pretty tired of all my whining and ranting and probably wishing and praying that I stop. I won’t. The reason I won’t is because I’m hateful bastard. I’m not going to stop until the economy gets better.
Meaningful debate requires that all parties involved carefully consider the merits of their counterpart’s views and arguments. Being cordial also helps. What doesn’t help is when I carefully present my views and your retort include the following inciteful, inflammatory and generally partisan words[1]: “conservative, liberal, communist, socialist, fascist, leftist and etc. ad infinitum”. If you ever get into a conversation with me and you utter any of these words without corroboration, my brain automatically labels you “kook” and begins purging everything you said up to that point and filtering everything said afterwards. My filter will remain in place until you revert to having an intelligent dialogue. Of course, the threshold limit of filter removal is set higher than before you became an idiot [in my mind]. For every stupid thing you say after that initial one, the filter is ratcheted up exponentially. So you can imagine that after awhile of spewing nonsense, you might as well stop talking to me. I’ve probably stopped listening or I’ve just walked away with the opinion that you’re irredeemably stupid.
I’m not saying that you can’t use these words, but use them deliberately. Sparingly. Consider them a useful chemical or tool that can harm you and everyone else around if used without care and too often. I always try to use them in that manner. Don’t use them as a placeholder or a token to express an idea. The English language gives you an almost endless palette to work with. Don’t be like the Smurfs. They like to smurf everything! Smurf this and smurf that. Smurf smurf smurf . . . . ad infinitum.