....you're still missing the point. There's a reason why she put "just a joke" in quotes. It's not the joke, in isolation, that's the problem. It's the joke, and the response to it, in our specific society, that is problematic.

Refuting a point is fair, and I might be inclined to agree, but what does it help? Was it more important to refute that, aggressively I might add, instead of addressing the main issue?

Fair! Sorry for the confusion.

It's more subtle than that. Joking about murder does not promote murder. Joking about theft does not promote theft. Those victimized by such crimes are not marginalizes, they aren't stigmatized. You may joke about them, but society at large is also saying "yeah, we're so sorry you had to deal with that." Other victims…

Who does define the limits?

It's not really about jokes as a personal coping mechanism though. It's about jokes at large, perpetuating a bias. As others have mentioned, if rape was dealt with in the same way as murder, this wouldn't even be a discussion. But it isn't. Rape victims are marginalized, stigmatized, and hide. They can't participate…

And here, you are helping what, exactly? What was the point of your post? Was comedy in danger?

Congratulations, I guess? Now I feel conflicted...glad that I responded, yet sad that I didn't spend the time countering apologists. Apologies for that.

It's certainly not your responsibility, no! And it's totally unfair. But I'm unsure of what the alternative is. If they don't do it on their own (though I think we're still talking past each other on that point. Oh well. It's the internet and I'm not very good at being precise) then what happens? What changes?

You deserve all the stars for having to deal with so much that you appreciate a response just because it's not from an asshole. That being said, I actually agreed more or less with your content. It's just that I have a different opinion on how to express it...not that I always follow my own advice.

I understand, and agree, more or less. I'm not sure how my comment disagreed with that.

Well, agreed, it's certainly much harder to teach those who believe they are correct...but it's not always impossible. And it's difficult sometimes to see the difference between "not aware that they are wrong" and "not willing to admit that they could be wrong." The first might be initially resistant just due to…

I mean, yeah...but this is just saying "you're stupid and heartless, go learn something that should be obvious." It's not really an effective education, and, to be honest, it's not really obvious, especially to those not affected by it. Jokes about death can be both funny and genuinely meaningful. Jokes about rape…

It's purposely so to force you to learn other tactics when enemies are relatively easy. If you could just dodge your way through the game it would be boring. The fact that you have to be constantly aware of your surroundings adds appeal to many who are bored of the magical barriers protecting you from cliffs in most…

Anecdotal. What stats am I to check? Do you have yours handy?

I agree...to a point. The disparity exists, certainly, and it is harmful...terribly so. Yet, for all that, it is not as large as it is made to be. You don't have to imagine that situation...the Google can search for you. The easiest example is the New Black Panther Party, which has protested fully armed. Once,…

The physical act of procreation is not the sole function of human reproductive organs. The social aspect of sex (Sex is fun. For most people. Obviously.) is not a by-product, it's a feature. This isn't an answer to the question so much as a rebuttal to the use of physical reproduction as the lens through which all…

Empathy aside, what's the difference between providing welfare for undocumented immigrants and welfare for citizens of another country? Just location...which is the problem. If we provide welfare and services for the undocumented then it generates a greater impetus to come to the U.S. illegally: get services, don't…

How does one appreciate culture? How does one appropriate culture responsibly? It appears to me that this requires a certain level of moralizing, and then we get into normative ethics...would anyone care if we mocked universally (well, locally) despised parts of another culture? Should we not be allowed to mock other…

Battle racism with racism! Always a winning strategy!