Did I spell that right? I think I did.
Alright. This comes around sense in recent months many people I love have been called "elitists." I like to think of myself as somewhat open minded and have had many arguments (with people I like and people I don't) about what elitisum entails on the internet.
To me, when you say you are better then someone at something, it can be as true as you want but you still don't need to say it. "I am better then you at this game." Good for you, but what does this ential?
It is when you reach this next level that it truely is to me, elitism. Take for example, the extreme. A simple discussion of "I think ____ is the best character and this is why" becomes interupted with 'you are completely wrong, I am completely right, shut up now."
Do some people I know/love do this? Yes. We all have before. Many arguments that I now look back upon had people I like much behaving like this. But to what extent does this become unbearable? When does it move from banter to elitisum? The opinions vary, as do opinions on people, thus I am never surprised when someone is called this in such a free flowing way. It's like, "Yeah he's an elitist jerk." Alright then, you sure thats the only reason you don't like them?
And really only the people who need to will understand this. Keeping a closed door does not ential elitisum. I have many friends, many i consider stronger and, without any harm ment, "better" friends. I can sit with a aquantense of mine and have a plesent conversation with them. But when I have a party, I will not call up anyone I know.
I will not just leave my door open to anyone interested. I will invite in people I enjoy time with, or who generally I like. If I meet a new person in my daily life and they become a friend, then we might reach that level. But when you say that there is a WALL around certain places, or that it is a heaven of sorts where only the ture "elites" can enter, you've overabused the word so absolutely that it's become hypocritical. Saying that someone is an elitist because they don't let anyone they want onto a forum or whatever is like saying I'm an elitist because I don't let people i don't know, or people i don't like, into my dorm room. It's the freakin internet, who the heck cares? XD
So, yes. People are overabusing this word. And in my opinion, it's reached a form of hypocracy. But perhaps in writing this I've become an elitist?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I kinda agree with you. Elitism is a weird topic and online I've heard it all too much :/ (Yeah, we've both seen the same stuff...). I should probably follow your fine example and not describe it as 'elitism' anymore, huh? XD
My take: I just don't like it when people are overly closed. Maybe it's because in the past I know how it feels to be excluded and I don't wish it on others. Forums should be open places for discussion, and when people exclude others it feels like it's limiting the views available for others to absorb.
Plus, sometimes on online forums I've had a strong relationship with people on both sides and the whole thing looks stupid from my perspective. Usually I side with the less aggressive one, because I feel getting aggressive about a stupid situation isn't a smart/considerate thing to do. Sometimes inconsiderate actions blur with elitism for me. Not valuing other people's opinions, I suppose, is some way making you feel that you're opinions are more important than others...
AH! RAMBLING! Well, good post. Lots of thought-provoking stuff there ;)
Post a Comment