Post #3364599

2026-06-21 06:13 UTC

Ok, I understand your perspective now, and I sincerely thank you for elaborating. It’s important to hear people out in full and really understand them before you cast judgement, and you gave me this opportunity to evaluate your stance. I could not disagree with with your opinion more, and find it appalling that you would employ the condescension that you so loathe in your response. When I say “baby’s first [complicated subject]” the implicit joke is that the complicated subject is indeed not for babies. To Kill a Mockingbird is “baby’s first systemic racism” but that should not be read in a pre-school. Linear algebra is “baby’s first abstract math” but there’s a reason it is taught at the 100-level. I find it extremely hard to believe that anyone would actually feel demeaned by “baby’s first psychological horror,” and if they do, I encourage them to evaluate why being a total novice to a subject gives them such intense feelings of inadequacy that they cannot find levity in their inexperience. The fact that I have to seriously acknowledge that “baby’s first [difficult thing]” is in any way not lighthearted is ridiculous.

Replies (1)

@Contramuffin@lemmy.world 2026-06-21 20:02

His response was not condescending, it was a constructive critique and solid breakdown of why you sound condescending. There are several things wrong with what you said: You don’t need to be serious to be condescending. On the contrary, your admittance that you view it as a joke is interpreted as a willingness to use “teenagers/young adults” as the butt of your jokes. Which is condescending. I acknowledge that you did not intend to be consciously condescending. But even ignoring that you openly admitted to it (see point 1), that does not mean that other people won’t see it that way. Just saying “I disagree with your opinion” doesn’t automatically cause everyone else in the world to change their interpretation of your words. There is a reason we are telling you that this is a real interpretation of your words, and refusing to accept it also reflects negatively on you.

Open ##3367615