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Culture War Roundup for the week of January 16, 2023

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How about neither? Because you know, "leftists are a bunch of pussies" is also something we would moderate.

Just downthread of another marginal mod warning currently on the front page, for your reading pleasure:

https://www.themotte.org/post/317/culture-war-roundup-for-the-week/55391?context=8#context

I thought the policy was "tone over content"? CPAR's tone here is lighthearted and funny (also self-deprecating; "I hope the rest of you will forgive me for poking fun at things that I'm often guilty of myself."), and the content is something we could all take to heart. (ie. "necessary")

Yeah, I disagree that it is true

There's literally several responses to the effect of 'I feel seen' -- obviously the post is engaging in hyperbole, but most of the points are reformulations of classic complaints about the rational-o-sphere.

I'm disturbed that something that feels like it could be lifted from a c. 2012 Scott-post is attracting reports, and moreso that the correct response is not seen as "screw 'em if they can't take a joke".

I am concerned too, it is blowing my mind that that post was reported enough to get a warning. And yeah, it might not be facts, but it has a lot of truth to it. I wonder if it's hitting some people harder than others? Or maybe it's strategic, a retaliation against raptr or left wingers in general for some slight.