"Transphobic" means "you failed to accept all my premises as axiomatic and then follow up by agreeing with me".
It's not just trans* activists. *phobic activists have effectively changed definitions such that meaningful debate is no longer possible. No matter what points you try to raise, you get labeled "*phobe" if you express any reservations.
This is a very poor strategy in the long term. In the short term, it suppresses vocal dissent because no one wants to be called names. However, in the longer term the "*phobe" term loses its sting as people realize it's just a way to end an debate without actually debating, so the accuser loses credibility. Activists get more shrill as their tactic's effectiveness wanes, and more people are driven away because who wants to associate with perpetually shrill people? It's an exercise in self-marginalization.
efitz|3 years ago
It's not just trans* activists. *phobic activists have effectively changed definitions such that meaningful debate is no longer possible. No matter what points you try to raise, you get labeled "*phobe" if you express any reservations.
This is a very poor strategy in the long term. In the short term, it suppresses vocal dissent because no one wants to be called names. However, in the longer term the "*phobe" term loses its sting as people realize it's just a way to end an debate without actually debating, so the accuser loses credibility. Activists get more shrill as their tactic's effectiveness wanes, and more people are driven away because who wants to associate with perpetually shrill people? It's an exercise in self-marginalization.