Is it a personal attack to tell someone you pity their ignorance?


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Liberty's Edge

Well, is it?


I'd say yes.

Liberty's Edge

Instead, just tell them you admire their lack of comprehension!

[/protip]

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

I pity your ignorance.

Sovereign Court

I pity the fool who pities your ignorance.
[/Mr.T]

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

You never fail to disappoint, Jack.


I'd say no, though it could be considered a provocative observation, but not an outright attack. In many cases I've said similar simply because it was the fact of the situation.

On the other hand, I'm a rude git (apparently) who routinely embarrases my g/f in public by telling people off.

Like the guy in his Jag that used the handicapped space w/ no placard/plate and jogged into the grocery store, for example.

The Exchange Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16

2 people marked this as a favorite.

Is it a personal attack to ask "Are you really that stupid?"

I mean... it's just a question right?

Sovereign Court

I suppose it's better than asking if their lack of comprehension is due to inbreeding ...

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Oh dear, this is a serious question now?

Scarab Sages

Studpuffin wrote:
Well, is it?

Really?

Grand Lodge

Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Studpuffin wrote:
Well, is it?

Yes.

None says "I pity your ignorance" out of actual pity.

They use it as a polite way of telling you that they think you're an idiot.

-Skeld

Contributor

2 people marked this as a favorite.

Compare:

I pity your ignorance.

vs.

I think you are ignorant on this topic.


Technically, no, as ignorance is not regarded as having personhood and therefore cannot be the subject of a "personal" attack.

Sovereign Court

I must say that, due to the nature of the question being posited, I did get a chuckle that this thread was posted in Website Feedback rather than OTD.

EDIT: Ah, it had been in OTD and got moved to WF. Still chuckling though.

Sovereign Court

1 person marked this as a favorite.

To take a more serious angle on this. Yes, and for several possible reasons.

1) As stated before, saying "I pity your X" rarely means there is actual pity behind the statement. Sort of along the lines of being in NC and hearing someone say "bless her/his heart" ...

2) Even if there is actual pity involved, some folks take offense at being shown pity in general.

3) Depending on what is being discussed, accusing someone of ignorance when the discussion is a debate over differing opinions 'ignorance' is a definitely charged term. There is a difference between actual ignorance (not knowing the facts regarding a topic) and charged ignorance (because you don't agree with the other person's point of view).

And, on the not so serious front,

4) If ignorance is bliss and you pity their ignorance then you are pitying someone for their bliss. How ignorant! ;)

Sovereign Court

TriOmegaZero wrote:
You never fail to disappoint, Jack.

I live by high standards of posting nonsense.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber
Callous Jack wrote:


I live by high standards of posting nonsense.

Nonsense!


6 people marked this as a favorite.

Every day I marvel at the things people post and think aren't personally insulting or abusive.

Sovereign Court

Bill Dunn wrote:
Every day I marvel at the things people post and think aren't personally insulting or abusive.

Are you pitying their ignorance? ;)


zylphryx wrote:
Bill Dunn wrote:
Every day I marvel at the things people post and think aren't personally insulting or abusive.
Are you pitying their ignorance? ;)

No, he's marveling at it. Can't you all frikkin' read?! GeeZ.

*grumble*

Sorry, I just couldn't pass up that opportunity. ;)


Skeld wrote:
Studpuffin wrote:
Well, is it?

Yes.

None says "I pity your ignorance" out of actual pity.

They use it as a polite way of telling you that they think you're an idiot.

-Skeld

+1

Grand Lodge RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

Sean K Reynolds wrote:

Compare:

I pity your ignorance.

vs.

I think you are ignorant on this topic.

Sadly, they'll get you the same response.

I was in another thread earlier today, where people were saying the Pathfinder version of a feat was total crap despite having not used it. Having used it to decent effect myself, I said (intending to point out the difference between theory and experience) that the view was "ignorant".

Took a while for things to calm back down. O_o


It really depends on whether or not they make their Sense Motive check. If you do the mocking jig (Perform: Dance) immediately after making such a statement, I think they get a +5 bonus to said check. I mean, they're ignorant after all, right? ;)

Contributor

I've generally found that any time someone calls someone else "ignorant," this is generally followed by some canned speech about how the speaker is there to "educate" them, and this is then followed by a one-sided sermon rather than anything actually educational.

Liberty's Edge

I'm usually more of an IAI (Insult as Intended) than a IAW (Insult as Written) kind of guy. But without seeing where and how this was used I have to go by IAW and say no.


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Studpuffin wrote:
Well, is it?

You don't know? No offence, but I pity your ignorance!

Liberty's Edge

The rampant misuse of the word "ignorant" is an enormous pet peeve for me.

Liberty's Edge

KaeYoss wrote:
Studpuffin wrote:
Well, is it?
You don't know? No offence, but I pity your ignorance!

Thanks KaeYoss, FLAGGED!!!!

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

I say, bad form! You can't flag him for imitating me!

Liberty's Edge

TriOmegaZero wrote:
I say, bad form! You can't flag him for imitating me!

Come on, I waited all day for someone to take the bait!

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

You only had to wait 4 minutes.

Liberty's Edge

TriOmegaZero wrote:
You only had to wait 4 minutes.

You don't count! Jeez, think you're special or something?


Can you provide incontrovertible proof of said ignorance? If so, then the answer is, "Absolutely not." The truth is never (under absolutely any circumstances whatsoever) an insult or personal attack. If the ignorant person is too prideful or too stupid to admit they are wrong, that is THEIR problem, not yours, and there is no fault in pointing that out.

Just make sure you come correct (i.e., have your facts straight) if you plan to take the discussion in that direction...

Liberty's Edge

Sieglord wrote:

Can you provide incontrovertible proof of said ignorance? If so, then the answer is, "Absolutely not." The truth is never (under absolutely any circumstances whatsoever) an insult or personal attack. If the ignorant person is too prideful or too stupid to admit they are wrong, that is THEIR problem, not yours, and there is no fault in pointing that out.

Just make sure you come correct (i.e., have your facts straight) if you plan to take the discussion in that direction...

So... don't be ignorant if you're going to accuse someone of ignorance.

Got it!

Liberty's Edge

Also...

Only a Sith deals in absolutes!

Liberty's Edge

2 people marked this as a favorite.

Also, how'd this end up in website feedback?!

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber
Studpuffin wrote:
You don't count! Jeez, think you're special or something?

You should know I never 'think'. I 'know'.

Liberty's Edge

2 people marked this as a favorite.
TriOmegaZero wrote:
Studpuffin wrote:
You don't count! Jeez, think you're special or something?
You should know I never 'think'. I 'know'.

I 'know' your mama!!!


Studpuffin wrote:

Also...

Only a Sith deals in absolutes!

Well, the Dark Side IS strong in me...

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Still breast-feeding? At your age? You sad little bird.

Liberty's Edge

TriOmegaZero wrote:
Still breast-feeding? At your age? You sad little bird.

I can't help it. She's so tasty.

Paizo Employee Senior Software Developer

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Studpuffin wrote:
Also, how'd this end up in website feedback?!

I think at one point we thought this might turn into a serious discussion of etiquette, respect and perhaps tone, language and other larger things. I think we guessed wrong.

moves thread back to off-topic. safe. safe, now.

Liberty's Edge

3 people marked this as a favorite.
Gary Teter wrote:
Studpuffin wrote:
Also, how'd this end up in website feedback?!

I think at one point we thought this might turn into a serious discussion of etiquette, respect and perhaps tone, language and other larger things. I think we guessed wrong.

moves thread back to off-topic. safe. safe, now.

You did see that Studpuffin started the thread, right?

Liberty's Edge

Gary Teter wrote:
Studpuffin wrote:
Also, how'd this end up in website feedback?!

I think at one point we thought this might turn into a serious discussion of etiquette, respect and perhaps tone, language and other larger things. I think we guessed wrong.

moves thread back to off-topic. safe. safe, now.

I'll say! :P

Liberty's Edge

Mothman wrote:
Gary Teter wrote:
Studpuffin wrote:
Also, how'd this end up in website feedback?!

I think at one point we thought this might turn into a serious discussion of etiquette, respect and perhaps tone, language and other larger things. I think we guessed wrong.

moves thread back to off-topic. safe. safe, now.

You did see that Studpuffin started the thread, right?

QFT!

Grand Lodge

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber
Gary Teter wrote:
I think at one point we thought this might turn into a serious discussion o

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! *wipe tear from eye* That was a good one Gary.


2 people marked this as a favorite.

Ignorance, I pity.
Yours or anyone else's.
Is that an attack?

Liberty's Edge

1 person marked this as a favorite.

To say you pity someone their ignorance is a way of saying that you do not fear them intellectually.

But usually if someone feels the need to say that they are not afraid of something, they actually are.

So I would see it as less of a personal attack and more of an admission of weakness.

Silver Crusade

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Sieglord wrote:

Can you provide incontrovertible proof of said ignorance? If so, then the answer is, "Absolutely not." The truth is never (under absolutely any circumstances whatsoever) an insult or personal attack. If the ignorant person is too prideful or too stupid to admit they are wrong, that is THEIR problem, not yours, and there is no fault in pointing that out.

Just make sure you come correct (i.e., have your facts straight) if you plan to take the discussion in that direction...

This is utter nonsense.

If somebody is overweight and you choose to ridicule them for it, it is insulting even though it is true.

If you mock someone's disability, it is insulting.

It is entirely possible to state the truth and make a personal attack at the same time. Being courteous in one's personal interactions can go a long way.

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