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comment by OftenBen
OftenBen  ·  2252 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Why American men are getting less marriageable

I think that there is a reasonable argument to be made in support of that position.

The second definition that Google gives me for 'Romantic' is

    of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealized view of reality.

which sort of necessitates short term irrationality of some variety.





FirebrandRoaring  ·  2252 days ago  ·  link  ·  

You should consider that people might have different priorities before calling them out on lacking reason.

OftenBen  ·  2252 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    calling them out on lacking reason.

Is that what I did?

FirebrandRoaring  ·  2252 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    which sort of necessitates short term irrationality of some variety.

Sure sounds like it.

OftenBen  ·  2252 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I'm sure refugee will let me know if she feels attacked.

FirebrandRoaring  ·  2251 days ago  ·  link  ·  

You've just called romantics partially irrational. Here's someone telling that doesn't sound right — or fair.

OftenBen  ·  2251 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Contained within the definition for 'Romantic' is the word 'Idealized'

    regard or represent as perfect or better than in reality.
FirebrandRoaring  ·  2251 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Has what I have to say a chance to sway your opinion?

EDIT: Guess not. I had something to say.

See, wrestling with dictionary trying to find a definition to suit you could be a tricky business. If there's anything I've learned from studying foreign languages, it's that you have to try different sources to get a bigger picture. A formidable worldview advice, as well.

The definitions you gave both come from Oxford Dictionary. A respectable source of information on the English vocabulary, no doubt. However, it smells funny that you would insist on it, despite there being other such sources. My guess from you not replying to this message would be that you prefer that definition because it suits your agenda: that romantic people are naive and clueless towards life and marital survival of the fittest.

You're allowed to have opinions, of course, and I will respect your opinion if it's borne of solid information. However — and I hate to jump to conclusions, but your withdrawal from the discussion leaves me no choice — it seems that you'd prefer your view over others' because it's yours, rather than entertain the possibility that others — like, say, romantics themselves — could hold more solid data about what their view is than what you may have concocted on your own sans evidence.

But, back to the dictionary game:

    4 a. marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized

Look at that! Another definition. Thank you, Merriam-Webster: another great source of semantical information about the English language. Why not choose this one when it was readily available? It's even higher up there in the search results in Google, so it couldn't have been your first choice. Did you have to look for something that fits your agenda?

That's even before we start with what I, as a romantic person, would have to say on the matter.

I haven't seen you attach so much weight on the evidence of the dictionary before, so I'm not going to assume it your modus operandi. Instead, I'm going to tell you this: research the shit you talk about before giving some to others. "Must be irrationality" — what nonsense.

"Well, I didn't say it". "Well, I didn't hurt anyone". And what you say still doesn't hold.