To think this is just a way of calling people thick

[SpringSnow]

AIBU to think that when left leaning types complain about people being "pitted against each other", they're actually trying to say that they think people who have opinions they don't like are being stupid or gullible, and to think that's insulting? To me it's like saying "you're too thick for this debate, obviously your opinions are fed to you by the ruling class/the Daily Mail". This isn't a thread about a thread, just a strategy I've seen used on threads where contentious issues that usually divide the left and right are discussed.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about! Clearly one needs to have read the other thread to understand

It's a way of saying people are easily manipulated and lack critical thinking abilities. That could loosely be construed as meaning they are 'thick' but I think 'gullible' or 'naive' would be more accurate words to describe them. A person can be intelligent but easily-led.

... I haven't read the thread in question, by the way. I'm basing my comment on your OP.

@ScreamingValenta - is that not just a way of insulting people you disagree with? Just because you can't engage with their argument.

Being pitted against each other is nothing to do with intelligence, or perceived intelligence. Dogs are pitted against each other to fight.

Yes, if you regard telling someone they are easily-manipulated (etc.) as insulting.

*Today 11:40 ScreamingValenta

Yes, if you regard telling someone they are easily-manipulated (etc.) as insulting.* - by the very definition it's insulting, you're saying to them "you're not capable of having your own thoughts, listen to me I know best"

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's insulting by definition.

You complain about insults whilst using the term "left leaning types"

@Today 12:08 ScreamingValenta

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's insulting by definition.

If someone told you you were easily led would you feel insulted? Be honest.

It would depend on the context. If it was in relation to an issue in which I considered myself to have some expertise, then yes, I would be very insulted. If it was an issue that I was newly learning about (or in which I had little interest), I would openly admit that I'd allow myself to be guided by others.

For instance, I'll often just go with the flow at work if there's a meeting to decide something I honestly don't know or care much about. If someone told me afterwards I had been easily led, I would regard it as a factual observation, not an insult.

*@Today 12:10 happinessischocolate

You complain about insults whilst using the term "left leaning types"* whys that insulting? I've literally only seen this argument used by left wing posters.

Not necessarily. Sometimes people are deliberately misinformed and encouraged through selective reporting (by papers like the DM) to think another group in society is the reason for a problem. Not saying they're thick at all but they're being manipulated and are vulnerable to it by now reading from more reliable and varied news outlets.

by not reading

The reason left leaning types are more likely to point it out is that the DM is particularly influential and guilty in this way and it is right leaning.

Had to laugh when I spotted this just now. Maybe these people pitted against one another aren't actually left-leaning-types at all!

*heartsease68

The reason left leaning types are more likely to point it out is that the DM is particularly influential and guilty in this way and it is right leaning.* - that just comes back to the "duh duh duh you just think that because the Daily Mail" argument.

Being pitted against means having opposing views not stupid.

Do you think that people reading the trash printed in the DM aren't affected by it though? I don't think anyone is immune from being influenced by outside sources. What you choose to read will of course affect your opinions. The DM has an agenda and there are very rich people behind it cynically trying to influence while pretending they're publishing news. Everyone is vulnerable to that if they read it (or if it's all they read). It's like being in an echo chamber. No one's immune. Doesn't mean you're thick.

I thought being pitted against another meant fighting them or arguing with them.....

Do you think that people reading the trash printed in the DM aren't affected by it though? I think that humans are innately critical thinkers and realise when they're reading shite.

I also understand pitted against each other to mean having opposing opinions or such. No insult or judgement in itself.
I'll be honest, I've got not bloody clue what half of this conversation means.

I think that humans are innately critical thinkers and realise when they're reading shite.

I really must introduce you to FIL.......

Historically populations are manipulated by elites be they political or media based.

This isn't patronising it is what happens.

The pogrom's in Russia - manipulating sections of the population to hate a particular group to distract them from economic hardship - were these people particularly stupid? Hitler's Germany - using propaganda to pit groups against each other.

Humans can think critically it doesn't mean that they always do.

The whole point of news media is to influence people the issues are the extent to which they do it and to what end? By posting this thread OP you are hoping for an outcome that may pit one poster against another.