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PaperclipPerfector  11mo ago (text post)   3559 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for June 4, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I have found one of the strongest subtle clues to indicate that someone is a leftist (or mired in leftist ideology) is their use of the rhetorical “right?” to end statements of dubious fact, or just statements which they know are unacceptable to refute, mostly things “we all know, right?”. It’s like a tic where they can’t stop doing it even if they tried.

I don't know about politics specifically but its definitely female coded, as is all consensus building formation of language. Other examples are "we can all agree" at the beginning of a phrase or Uptalk in non-interrogative statements, where the tone of voice is raised as the phrase progresses. Its purpose is coalition building and identifying and preemptively shaming dissent. Listen to women speak to each other, especially younger women. Its not just politics. In men it sounds weak and lacks confidence or like a scam artist/salesman.

Wait, I do this too though?

If it’s any comfort, most people pick up this tic simply by being immersed in leftist academic or professional environments, not necessarily by being a leftist themselves. Compared to some of the other answers in this thread, the rhetorical “right?” is a sort of “hidden indicator,” not necessarily a conscious change of vocabulary.

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