Dictionaries Radically Redefine 'Extremism' To Mean 'Anyone Who Thinks Differently'!? How Extreme!
Never blindly trust dictionaries! I have seen several definitions of the word 'extremist' in dictionaries now that essentially try to define that anyone who is 'beyond the norm' is an extremist!!! YES, THREE EXCLAMATION MARKS!
Considering that many are being blindly conditioned to associate 'extremism' with being 'dangerous' - it is essential that we do not allow such incorrect definitions to be perpetuated. If we define that anyone who wants to go 'beyond the norm' and therefore might evolve themselves and life in some way is extremist and thus dangerous - then we may as well flush humanity down the toilet. Life is always changing and evolving - so we need to be adapting and evolving too.
'Extremism' from thefreedictionary.com
extremism
Also found in: Thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
ex·trem·ist (ĭk-strē′mĭst)
n.
A person who advocates or resorts to measures beyond the norm, especially in politics.
To, by default, demonise non conformity and change, regardless of its nature - just because it is change must be one of the most extremely misleading, fearful, controlling and dangerous decisions we could make.. The result could only be extreme stagnation, extreme suffering, extreme inability to grow, learn and progress and extreme dysfunction.. how extremely ironic!
Wishing you well,
Ura Soul
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It would seem to me that the definition of the word isn't as much the problem as the negative connotation that has been applied to it.
In the same way that terms like socialism, capitalism and even communism are elevated to mean things that they are not. This is why we can't even have logical and civilized arguments about things anymore; there is too much baggage attached to the language that we use.
Unfortunately we live in a world where lots of problems can't even be rationally discussed nor worked out because there is no untainted language left to be used to deconstruct the problem without invoking negative emotions in one side or the other of the argument.
Of course maybe my position is too extremist! :)
Yes, humans need to detox their body, mind, spirit, heart, emotions, environment and certainly language too. We are a broken piano! ;)
I love that you raise this - the idea that dictionaries are right. Often they simply reinforce systemic bias. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that steem allows for, indeed encourages, divergent opinion and discussion. Only from that can we learn from one another, be stretched and start to create a less divided world. One Love.
Well said, I approve of your words here. :)
In my opinion there has been a clear attempt to insert into textbooks and dictionaries an altered narrative that serves the purpose of certain social engineering programmes - which leave many people automatically ridiculing anyone who dares to suggest that dictionaries and textbooks might be wrong.. Even when multiple dictionaries disagree with each other! Thankfully, some dictionaries still hold a definition for 'extremism' that holds truer to its functional meaning and to its etymology.
Oh dear, by that definition this place is simply awash with extremists. Whatever will we do?
Would mass executions be too extreme? How about just demonising them? Demonisation seems to be quite normal nowadays, so it should be un-extreme to do that! ;)
We simply should not assoicate "extremist" as dangerous. Conspiracy theory, is an idea that some group of people together planned a crime before they did it.
Absolutely, yes - there is a range of possible movements and just because some might appear to be extreme in relation to another, does not make them in any way wrong. If we approach an extreme turn in the road, we will crash without making an extreme turn!
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When I get to think or hear the "Extremist" word it just gives me the impression that they are referring to violent person/people/group that has an ideological reason for doing such bad deeds to society in order to push their agenda to the ruling or opposing government @ura-soul
Actually that is the definition of the word 'terrorist'. It is possible to be extreme in some ways as compared to 'the mainstream' population and so to technically be an extremist, but not do anything bad or even do anything that relates to governments or overpowering anyone. Ironically, in a society that largely uses the power of government to overpower almost everyone (such as taxation) - the extreme overpowering is called 'normal' anyway - so things are extremely confused and backwards!
An old definition of Extremism is:
So this suggests that a person will choose to go to extremes 'just for the sake of it' .. just to be extreme.
However we look at it though, the dictionary definition quoted in the original post cannot be justified!
I remember this movie where it showed that if you didn't pay your taxes the US government will take your money from your pocket (bank) so it is in a way gives terror to US citizens.
I say that it is an extreme thing and got surprised really learning about it @ura-soul
Oh absolutely, yes. I posted recently about how the US gov now prevents international travel if alleged taxes are unpaid! Welcome to prison America! :/
Wow, think differently and you are literally seen as a threat, a danger to the status quo. Amazing..
they have also defined "bigot" as someone with a different opinion.
Oh ok - which dictionary has that definition? I am generally seeing:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bigotry
It's funny, there is a great example of it here in the back and fourth with @makowrites
first they define bigotry as having a different opinion from them and then they say they don't argue with bigots.