ot:taboo

[SD Squatter]

Any discussion about racial/genetic differences, especially when it comes to predisposition to crime, IQ, school test scores, etc. is a total and complete taboo. Any racial comments in general (see Donald Sterling). I can’t think of a bigger taboo than that.

Maybe less of a taboo:
– democracy (i.e. the ultimate social system that is desired by all people)
– homosexuality (i.e. orientation vs sexual disorder)
– support of Israel
– support of veterans
– money
– prop 13 in CA politics 😉

[UCGal]

[quote=SD Squatter]Any discussion about racial/genetic differences, especially when it comes to predisposition to crime, IQ, school test scores, etc. is a total and complete taboo. Any racial comments in general (see Donald Sterling). I can’t think of a bigger taboo than that.

Maybe less of a taboo:
– democracy (i.e. the ultimate social system that is desired by all people)
– homosexuality (i.e. orientation vs sexual disorder)
– support of Israel
– support of veterans
– money
– prop 13 in CA politics ;)[/quote]

Interesting – I would put some of the ones you listed as opposite of how you worded them.
It’s taboo to NOT support Israel, no matter what.
It’s definitely taboo to not support vets.
I agree that prop 13 is semi taboo – but we seem to be able to discuss it here… (See my conversations with BG and CAR for examples.)

[scaredyclassic]

maybe a tshirt with all the taboos at once;

i earn 79.434.00 per year, I’m gay and I hate kids, vets, dogs and Israel.

[spdrun]

Is 79.434.00 a dollar amount? It looks more like a phone number in a third-world city.

[NotCranky]

Talking about how much our own promotion in life, quality or life, or asset collecting including inheritance or educating children is sponsored by other family members.

I guess there are good reasons not to talk about it but I think it sort of fits under “taboo” .

[svelte]

[quote=UCGal]
I agree that prop 13 is semi taboo – but we seem to be able to discuss it here… (See my conversations with BG and CAR for examples.)[/quote]

We can discuss things openly here because we are anonymous.

Try discussing some of the topics in this thread in a random gathering of people. Totally different reaction from folks.

To my way of thinking, that may be the greatest thing about the internet…free and open discussions free from identity…

[UCGal]

Maybe my workplace was unusual… but we had these kind of discussions in our development lab. My former coworkers are mostly homeowners – some with rental homes… prop 13, mello roos, tax policy of all kinds were discussed openly and in an engaged manner. But the folks who had benches near mine were all smart folks who thought deeply on stuff. (And the discussions were far from onesided – lots of respectfully differing views.)

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=UCGal]Maybe my workplace was unusual… but we had these kind of discussions in our development lab. My former coworkers are mostly homeowners – some with rental homes… prop 13, mello roos, tax policy of all kinds were discussed openly and in an engaged manner. But the folks who had benches near mine were all smart folks who thought deeply on stuff. (And the discussions were far from onesided – lots of respectfully differing views.)[/quote]

Maybe because you’re more in a scientific or academic environment where people like to ask questions and study issues.

Institutional or family culture also plays a role. For instance, in the military, or law enforcement, there is a certain language that you have to abide to.

Taxes are pretty cut and dry. Calculate how policy affects you, and if it does, consider if the social benefits are worth it.

Polemic arise more in philosophical issues like religion.

I find it’s useful to separate rationale from purely philosophical and emotional issues. It’s easier to be objective if you compartmentalize. .

I also noticed that If you deny something, people take it more personally because they have an emotional investment in the issue. Saying the God doesn’t exist is a no no. Even saying unconditional love doesn’t exist is taboo. People want to believe and they don’t like their beliefs dismissed.

Social class also affects how someone is open to debate. The lower classes go more by feelings and empathy. They take being “dissed” more personally.

[svelte]

[quote=UCGal]Maybe my workplace was unusual… My former coworkers are mostly homeowners – some with rental homes… prop 13, mello roos, tax policy of all kinds were discussed openly and in an engaged manner. [/quote]

I note the lack of sex, politics, religion, and dislike of children on that list. 🙂

[paramount]

The dems aren’t worried about prop 13, they just impose bonds and fees in lieu of fighting the prop 13 battle.

Either way, they get ‘their’ money.

[Author]

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