# Body shaming insults should not be allowed here, towards anyone. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 27, 2018, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153 "2018-11-27T12:00:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/61 "2018-11-27T19:05:28Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > All the same, this is a reasonable ATMB discussion topic. Tip of the hat towards the OP. > > \ > > The silver lining is that these threads prompt interesting conversations within the study of Rhetoric, a discipline that is under-researched IMHO. I agree with all of this. I think it is a reasonable discussion topic and I think the discussion is fine. I just think the proposed rule is a terrible one, for many reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/62 "2018-11-27T19:06:53Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > That’s just a bunch of useless anger. Yes, that is a good characterization of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/63 "2018-11-27T19:08:44Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Yes, that is a good characterization of the OP. oh snap ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/64 "2018-11-27T19:08:54Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Given that that’s not a question about looks, it’s not part of this thread. Sure it is; from the OP: > [@](#): > > I think such a ban should also include things people apparently have control over - such as perceived excess spray tan - as well as things they don’t. People don’t have control over their intelligence and it’s a part of their body. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/65 "2018-11-27T19:14:05Z")
Hey, if we went with the OP’s suggestion, would this thread be allowed? [What’s with this kid’s ears?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=866233) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/66 "2018-11-27T19:14:07Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Sure it is; from the OP:People don’t have control over their intelligence and it’s a part of their body. Good luck with that line of argument. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/67 "2018-11-27T19:15:17Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Good luck with that line of argument. I’m not arguing it at all; it’s a straight line argument from the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/68 "2018-11-27T19:16:52Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Sure it is; from the OP:People don’t have control over their intelligence and it’s a part of their body. It seems to me that the board (and the world) already adopts a pretty reasonable standard here. In discussing ideas (and posts), we obviously discuss them on their merits, and calling ideas stupid is always fine. Calling _people_ stupid would not be classy if they are (say) mentally retarded and just trying to live their lives. Whereas if somebody is seeking a job (such as VP) where above-average intelligence would be a requirement; or if somebody persistently chooses to voice dumbass opinions on an issue, then calling them stupid is fair game. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/69 "2018-11-27T19:22:31Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > It seems to me that the board (and the world) already adopts a pretty reasonable standard here. In discussing ideas (and posts), we obviously discuss them on their merits, and calling ideas stupid is always fine. Calling _people_ stupid would not be classy if they are (say) mentally retarded and just trying to live their lives. Whereas if somebody is seeking a job (such as VP) where above-average intelligence would be a requirement; or if somebody persistently chooses to voice dumbass opinions on an issue, then calling them stupid is fair game. Not according to the OP, is my point which I make in support of my contention that the proposed rule in the OP is stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/70 "2018-11-27T19:29:49Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Not according to the OP, is my point which I make in support of my contention that the proposed rule in the OP is stupid. It’s not the OP who wants to conflate body shaming with intelligence, it’s you. I agree that in other respects it’s extremely difficult to define the scope of body shaming, but I think it’s easy and uncontroversial to exclude intelligence from the definition. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/71 "2018-11-27T19:48:50Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I’m not arguing it at all; it’s a straight line argument from the OP. I think that’s absolutely ridiculous, and I think if you took a deep breath and backed away from the thread you’d agree; but when someone is arguing something so ridiculous, there’s precious little chance of using reason to persuade them away from making that argument, so I’ll leave you to it. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/72 "2018-11-27T19:49:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Your “Yes? No? Depends?” queries do not pertain to the clear statement I made, and I do not wish to crudely reword my statement until it somehow fits whatever point you are trying to make. > If a politician says something that is hypocritical, then it should be permissible to point out how it was hypocritical. This can certainly be done without resorting to crude insults, don’t you think? That would be a yes, then. Thanks for clarifying your position. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/73 "2018-11-27T19:59:30Z")
> [@Covfefe](#): > > The moderators have been cracking down on unnecessary comments about females’ appearances in response to feedback from women here on a larger issue. Body shaming remarks are a subset of unnecessary comments. > > If body shaming weren’t allowed anywhere and that were enforced I think there would be a ton of sanctioning in the Pit for remarks about the POTUS alone. Why just _female_’s appearances? I think that remarks about celebrities appearance are perfectly Ok. They are celebrities. In many cases, they make their living off their appearance. It’d be like not allowing remarks about a singers voice. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/74 "2018-11-27T20:00:16Z")
> [@XT](#): > > That would be a yes, then. Thanks for clarifying your position. I would ask “Yes to what?”, but I would hate to interrupt whatever dialogue you’ve got going on with yourself. Yay, you!! ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/75 "2018-11-27T20:03:34Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Why just _female_’s appearances? Because, historically, women have been objectified and marginalized as though their appearance is all that matters. Social _history_ is important in determining what commentary is appropriate, not just the perfect symmetry of abstract concepts. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/76 "2018-11-27T20:09:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I would ask “Yes to what?”, but I would hate to interrupt whatever dialogue you’ve got going on with yourself. Yay, you!! Seems pretty straightforward to me, and you answered it. I’m unsure why you want to continue on with whatever game you are playing, but here is what I asked: “If there are alternatives to slamming back with body type insults (such as the example given of ‘fat fuck’) if the politician in question starts it, are you good with doing that or do you feel justified in firing back on the same level since that’s what they did? Yes? No? Depends?” You answered thus: “If a politician says something that is hypocritical, then it should be permissible to point out how it was hypocritical. This can certainly be done without resorting to crude insults, don’t you think?” So…yes. Yah me for parsing your ridiculous antics and getting you to finally actually answer a simple question. Feel free to continue whatever antics you seem to be enjoying. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/77 "2018-11-27T20:21:23Z")
> [@XT](#): > > That would be a yes, then. Thanks for clarifying your position. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > I would ask “Yes to what?”, but I would hate to interrupt whatever dialogue you’ve got going on with yourself. Yay, you!! > [@XT](#): > > So…yes. Yah me for parsing your ridiculous antics and getting you to finally actually answer a simple question. Feel free to continue whatever antics you seem to be enjoying. Is this…is this what Snowboarder and I sound like to everyone else? If so, I am so, so sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/78 "2018-11-27T20:23:22Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Is this…is this what Snowboarder and I sound like to everyone else? > > If so, I am so, so sorry. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/79 "2018-11-27T20:23:23Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I would also endorse a rule change to ban body shaming outside the Pit. This hobbles one party over the other. Look, the Republicans LIE. They create flat out Goebbels like \*\*Lies. \*\* But it is 100% OK here on this board to lie. One can repeat any of the more outrageous lies the GOP has come up with and be safe from a Warning. The Democrats \*Ridicule. \* We make fun of, make jokes about, poke fun at. This includes poking fun about how fat Trump is or calling him President Cheeto or making fun of his terrible toupe. There is no reason why lying should be OK, but ridiculing should not be. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153/80 "2018-11-27T20:24:29Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Such a ban would [render](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/fashion/for-male-politicians-dieting-is-a-campaign-issue.html) the Elections forum [uninhabitable](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a19436457/stop-body-shaming-politicians/). ☹ I concur. Politicians are fair game. They entered the Political circus on purpose. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-shaming-insults-should-not-be-allowed-here-towards-anyone/825153.md?page=5)