# You know what I hate? How the word empowerment lost its original use and context **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 28, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678 "2018-01-28T21:44:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/141 "2018-01-29T20:53:59Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Why are y’all expecting too much from me? > > Even when I gave my unbiased message, y’all tried to spin it to make it seem conservative-biased Because your points are very conservative MRA-based. When you start the thread blaming a Unicorn called SJW you’re not very convincing in your claim of balance. I would point out that Gamergaters even considered themselves liberal even as they danced to the beat of alt-right maniacs. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/142 "2018-01-29T20:54:35Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > You’re hitting all the conservative hot-button catch phrases (sjw, BLM, "identity politics, etc) > > Even complaining about how the word “empowerment” has changed (or that you think it has). > > You seem very uptight and overly concerned about little things that don’t matter. Maybe turn off the internet for a few weeks and get a new hobby? How is identity politics a conservative hot-button? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/143 "2018-01-29T20:56:15Z")
Dude, we regularly get people through this board who use every alt-right buzzword and throw out every right wing theory, all the while proclaiming that they’re a moderate or a liberal and they’re just ‘interested’ or ‘investigating’ these statements. Very few people are fooled by this. You’re not the first, you won’t be the last. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/144 "2018-01-29T20:58:39Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Because your points are very conservative MRA-based. When you start the thread blaming a Unicorn called SJW you’re not very convincing in your claim of balance. > > I would point out that Gamergaters even considered themselves liberal even as they danced to the beat of alt-right maniacs. Like I said I will admit they are still mostly internet trolls. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/145 "2018-01-29T20:59:37Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Please, **NO MORE YOUTUBE**. Just no more. None. Zip. Nada. Zilch. > Thank you. +1 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/146 "2018-01-29T21:00:21Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Thanks, Trump. Look what you’ve done to America’s kids- They’re all fucked in their heads _without_ drugs! Hate to bust your bubble, my friend, but Trump didn’t do it. This decline started back in the 60s. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/147 "2018-01-29T21:00:52Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > How is identity politics a conservative hot-button? Because it’s a meaningless term, a myth created by the right. Or perhaps an attempt to reduce the influence of certain groups. Whatever it is, no one cares about it except those on the right. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/148 "2018-01-29T21:04:29Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Dude, we regularly get people through this board who use every alt-right buzzword and throw out every right wing theory, all the while proclaiming that they’re a moderate or a liberal and they’re just ‘interested’ or ‘investigating’ these statements. > > Very few people are fooled by this. You’re not the first, you won’t be the last. Well I have my “opressed” classes at least Mostly being autistic is the big one. Barely experienced racism, have gotten some racist jokes on me[But even so, they are not really that offensive] and never experienced racially motivated violence. I am beige as arepas[Venezuelan dish] Struggling with weight issues is a health issue anyways Same for low self esteem ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/149 "2018-01-29T21:06:08Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Hate to bust your bubble, my friend, but Trump didn’t do it. This decline started back in the 60s. Also, FUCK TRUMP. Dude isn’t even qualified to be president. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/150 "2018-01-29T21:12:14Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Why are y’all expecting too much from me? Because we believe in you and think you can do better. > [@Luciano700](#): > > Also, FUCK TRUMP. Dude isn’t even qualified to be president. See? Potential, right there. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/151 "2018-01-29T21:12:45Z")
Does your Mother know you are saying curse words on the internet? And talking to adults, who you don’t know, about sensitive issues?! Also on the schools Wi-Fi dime. They might frown upon these, just saying. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/152 "2018-01-29T21:15:27Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Because we believe in you and think you can do better. > > See? Potential, right there. Our presidents are getting less serious each and every generation it seems. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/153 "2018-01-29T21:16:29Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Does your Mother know you are saying curse words on the internet? And talking to adults, who you don’t know, about sensitive issues?! > Also on the schools Wi-Fi dime. They might frown upon these, just saying. Yep, she knows I love the forum world. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/154 "2018-01-29T21:24:00Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Yep, she knows I love the forum world. Just think how much fun you’ll have when you are old enough for the dating sites. ---
**Author:** ![Luciano700](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Luciano700](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luciano700)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/155 "2018-01-29T21:30:33Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Just think how much fun you’ll have when you are old enough for the dating sites. 🆒🆒🆒🆒 ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/156 "2018-01-29T21:44:57Z")
The word empowerment sucked before the SJWs got a hold of it. It was a buzz phrase used by “the suits” in bizniz. **You are empowered!** They really meant **You have all the responsibility and will get all the blame but NONE of the staffing support or any of the actual authority to get it done right.** An empty useless hateful phrase. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/157 "2018-01-29T21:46:35Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > I feel ya. It’s complicated. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/158 "2018-01-29T21:48:28Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Our presidents are getting less serious each and every generation it seems. Obama was not that long ago, and plenty “serious.” Even G.H.W.Bush would be considered serious. Really, only Trump stands out as a complete buffoon. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/159 "2018-01-29T21:50:10Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Also, FUCK TRUMP. Dude isn’t even qualified to be president. That, we can agree on (at least most of us). ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678/160 "2018-01-29T21:56:29Z")
> [@Luciano700](#): > > Well I have my “opressed” classes at least > > Mostly being autistic is the big one. A non-sequitur answer here. Autism is neither an excuse, nor cover for throwing out Alt-right nonsense and JAQing off (“Hey, I’m **Just Asking Questions**!” Perhaps if you went back in time to the 1990’s Internet, people wouldn’t have as much experience with trolls who throw that out like it is some kind of cover for their assholish behavior. Your posts have made you abundantly transparent. You’re all over the alt-right claims and buzzwords and we’ve seen this so many times here that we could do that The Matrix meme on it. Throwing out this crap about “opressed classes” isn’t an actual defense, it is obfuscation and misdirection. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-know-what-i-hate-how-the-word-empowerment-lost-its-original-use-and-context/807678.md?page=9)