LogFAQs > #967445226

ParanoidObsessive posted...

That may have been how the term originated, but it's rarely how it's used now - so its original meaning is almost... well... meaningless.

Which is where this approach comes in:
adjl posted...

"This isn't mansplaining, you're just wrong."

It's still a worthwhile concept to consider and try to avoid in one's daily life, regardless of whether or not it's being misused. Any such accusations should trigger a bit of introspection, even if the ultimate conclusion of that introspection is that there's no actual problem and you can settle on "no you're just wrong."

ParanoidObsessive posted...

Have you actually met any people? People get offended by having their knowledge questioned all the time.

Again, it's the distinction between "questioning" in the sense of "doubting" and "questioning" in the sense of "you've made it clear to me that you want me to talk about this subject about which I know a lot, how much do you already know?" People don't get offended by that. At least, not more than they would by "I'm just going to assume you know nothing and talk to you accordingly," which is the alternative being presented.

ParanoidObsessive posted...

It's most pronounced on the Internet because it's easy to dismiss the qualifications of the person you're talking to without even knowing the qualifications of the person you're talking to ("What he says must be true, his dad works for Nintendo!"). But a habit of dismissing bad faith arguments has left a lot of people completely unwilling to listen to or even consider good faith arguments either. And to react with what is essentially ad hominem attacks to condemn the speaker without even judging their words.

It's also more pronounced because being polite and understanding and making a genuine effort to help educate people on the Internet is substantially less common than just calling each other idiots for not believing what one already knows.