Let's define some basic terms that are overused and badly abused

[zarus tathra (OP)]

Democracy - Rule by the majority. People keep saying that this or that thing is democratic/undemocratic, so the only way to make the word make sense again is to give it its original, classical meaning.

Civil rights - Equal treatment for equal behaviour. Or at least that's my definition. If you have some other version of "civil rights" that you want to promote, then I don't want to hear about it.

A bunch of words that are constantly thrown around that no one seems to want to define:

Fairness, equality, social justice, freedom

[Hydra009]

Democracy - "rule of the people", a form of government in which political power is wielded directly by citizens or through elected representatives.

(Can but does not necessarily require an absolute majority vote, since a plurality voting system is possible under this form of government)

Civil rights - rights belonging to an individual by virtue of citizenship.

[DunkleSeele]

that's my definition. If you have some other version of "civil rights" that you want to promote, then I don't want to hear about it.

And then you wonder why people aren't interested in participating in your threads.

[PickelledEggs]

And then you wonder why people aren't interested in participating in your threads.

Sent from your mom

[doorknob]

scientific theory not the same as laymen term theory. I'm tired of idiots saying " well that's just a theory." No you idiot it's not! So tired of it.

[Hydra009]

scientific theory not the same as laymen term theory. I'm tired of idiots saying " well that's just a theory." No you idiot it's not! So tired of it.

I'm also sick of "scientists say that ___ but I say ____" like it's just your word against theirs.  There's a body of data that leads scientists to their conclusion.  Unless you can take that data and build an alternate conclusion at least as well-supported as the prevailing one, you're outta luck.  Creationists are particularly infuriating because they disagree with evolution, trot out a couple dodgy arguments, and call it a day.  That might work in church, but in academia, it's like sticking the chalk up your nose and making fart noises.

[zarus tathra (OP)]

And then you wonder why people aren't interested in participating in your threads.

Because they habitually come up with one-sided, deliberately obscured interpretations of buzzwords that are designed specifically to appease the half-educated?

[Jmpty]

Because they habitually come up with one-sided, deliberately obscured interpretations of buzzwords that are designed specifically to appease the half-educated?

Yes, that is exactly what you do.

[Solitary]

 

[Hakurei Reimu]

If you want the definitions of words, you might want to invest in one of these:

[zarus tathra (OP)]

Dictionaries don't work when people start throwing around terms like "freedom" and "democracy" and "equality" that have basically nothing to do with the dictionary definition.

Yes, that is exactly what you do.

I generally try to avoid using terms that are very popular among the propagandists of all persuasions. i.e. "rule of law," "freedom," "capitalism," "revolution/revolutionary," etc. If you go over my posting history you'll find that I use them only so that I can mock them.

[Hakurei Reimu]

Zarus, each of the words you cite does have a legitimate and specific definition and use, and as such useful terminology if used correctly. If someone isn't using them correctly, call them out on it. But don't think that everyone who uses these terms is automatically engaged in propaganda.

[zarus tathra (OP)]

When 80% of the uses are abuses, then that poisons the well too much. And "equality" is too vague of a term to be acceptable in politics. Maybe it's acceptable as a quasi-religious concept, since politics is never very far from religion, but it's useless as a political economic concept, at least as it's commonly "known."

[Hakurei Reimu]

You made those statistics up.

[DunkleSeele]

Because they habitually come up with one-sided, deliberately obscured interpretations of buzzwords that are designed specifically to appease the half-educated?

Thank you very much for confirming what I told you in this and other threads.

By the way, I find it extremely hypocritical of you to accuse others of making up definitions and then say "this is MY definition and I don't care about yours". Then again, your hypocrisy has been demonstrated already long ago.