Here’s a toxic rhetorical move I’ve just understood: “[group of people] do [bad thing] because they want [relatable but shameable human need.]”
This is toxic even if [group] really does tend to do [bad thing] and it really is bad and in need of criticism.
Because the rhetorical emphasis, the thing being most strongly condemned, is NOT the bad action but the human need, when it should be the other way round.
“They’re doing [bad thing] because it’s easy.” “Because they want validation.” “Because it gets them invited to cool parties.” “Because they’re horny.” “Because it’s in their financial interest.”
If you imagine a person saying it out loud, the sneering tone falls on the part of the sentence where the *motive* is described.
It’s “you betrayed Jesus for THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER” not “you BETRAYED JESUS for thirty pieces of silver”, y’know?
The dynamics of insult seem to be that it’s weak to accuse someone of doing harm (you look like you’re pleading for mercy) or doing wrong (you look preachy) but it’s effective to accuse someone of *having needs* (because that means weakness).
That dynamic means that it’s *way* harder to criticize actions of institutions, or actions taken at random/by accident/for no obvious psychological motive, even if those actions cause REALLY bad outcomes.
I get that people have reasons to use the most effective rhetorical tools at their disposal, I’m just sad about the pattern.
It’s actually *good*, all else equal, to do things because they’re convenient or fun or get positive attention or satisfy one’s physical desires. You wouldn’t want people to *not* do that, right?
This kind of “emphasis on mocking the motive rather than condemning the action” is how you incentivize “just following orders” excuses. “I didn’t do anything REALLY bad like WANTING to do a thing! I just killed people disinterestedly!”
Or, more innocently, things like me trying to find a “legitimate excuse” to suggest breaking for lunch, less embarrassing than “I’m hungry”. This still causes needless miscommunication.
Attacking people for having universal human motives is bad in the same way as passing laws that make everyone technically guilty of a crime. You can always selectively attack your enemies.
I really hate the new slang term “cope” for this reason. Oh noez, people do things to make themselves feel better! I caught this fucker *regulating his emotions!*
