this post was submitted on 26 May 2025
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“I” is the most genderless pronoun in existence - is it not? It literally means me, as a singular human entity. Linguistically I am yet to see any valid argument for its exclusion or substitution in speech. I get the whole problem with he/her etc - there are a specific niche of humans where those words are not sufficient nor apt to describe them and thankfully language then evolved for the sake of inclusivity.
Well, the valid argument is that we don't get to decide when and what pronouns to respect. There doesn't need to be any other rationale. It is definitely more difficult to parse than "I", but that's a matter of practicality, not validity.
You either respect the person's pronouns, explain that you have enough difficulty using them that it would be prohibitive (like I have elsewhere in other conversations) and be nice about it, or you choose to disrespect the pronoun choices. It is every individuals choice whether or not to respect pronoun choices, but the hard truth is that when the choice is based on lack of respect, it just makes the person choosing a jerk.
The use of person-independent neopronouns is a very difficult thing to adapt to. If you scan over my comments in this thread, you'll likely notice that I don't really use drag much because I have multiple barriers to communicating effectively while trying to use it. Which, I've discussed with them, and reached an understanding that it isn't about rejecting their pronoun and isn't meant as disrespect.
I do usually manage to not use pronouns at all in most cases when discussing DR's pronoun with them, and sometimes when discussing it with others like this. It's harder than just writing with the built up language patterns I already have, but easier than trying to substitute a different word entirely.
But those person-independent pronouns do have a point. The role they play in shifting how we think of gender, pronoun usage, and language in general is certainly absolutely a linguistically applicable idea. PI pronouns don't always conform to standard grammar, at least not in English, but they don't have to, to be valid as a personal expression or for the study of language.
A PI pronoun serves a similar role to other neopronouns. We do already have the singular "they/them" that are gender neutral, so neopronouns aren't absolutely necessary in the sense that other options already exist. But, if you look at it from the perspective of questioning gendered language as a whole, or from the perspective of wanting a shift entirely away from gendered language in English entirely, neopronouns start becoming much more interesting as a phenomenon.
I get to dictate exactly what I respect.
Well, surr.
But if you aren't respecting people's pronouns, you're an asshole, so the choice comes with that
If you insist on respecting that user's identity, I suggest you first open their profile and look at what they actually mean by "drag/dragon rider".
Drag is a fucking scalie who wants to be referred to by their kink.
And?
You act like my approval or disapproval of their hobbies, lifestyle, or whatever is supposed to change basic decency. It doesn't.
There are limits to what I'll call someone for sure. I'm not calling anyone master. Beyond that, it's just good manners to try and call people what they prefer, within the limits of our own capabilities. DR knows my brain is fucked and it would make it a nightmare to have a conversation if I tried to use the person-independent neopronoun reliably, so they don't give me shit about screwing up.
That's basic decency.
If I'm talking to a preacher and they prefer to be called reverend, I'll call them that, and that's someone who talks to their imaginary sky friend on a daily basis. Wanting to fuck a dragon isn't any weirder than that. It's just basic decency.
Out here irl, people sometimes use my middle name instead of my first. Usually because they know a family member that talked about me. But I don't let anyone but family use my middle name. The people that refuse to honor that are assholes, and I have nothing else to do with them. Because it's just basic decency.
If DR was wanting to be called furher, or messiah, I can see refusing to use their preferred terms. But they aren't.
And it doesn't even matter if they were trolling because someone else's bad actions aren't an automatic excuse to be an asshole too.
What kind of person do you want to be? The sort that errs on the side of kindness and manners, or the sort that's an asshole? That's what it comes down to.
Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine. Answered my question at least