Being Polite Is Not Honest

Mincing words can be fun in a friendly debate with a linguist, note the qualifier. Many people think that just because they grew up using a language, that they're experts on said language.

Online this is often called "the grammar Nazi" but this is only one of many examples available. Often the ones I am talking about are those who think they're brilliant but when they are corrected by someone, they have to avoid admitting they were wrong.

When corrected there are two possible responses that don't make you look like a moron, auto correct (including swipe typing on the phone) is a valid excuse, or you can look like a genius and just say "oh, thanks for the correction." I prefer the latter, but my phone does seem to have a mind of it's own and I don't like to lie.

One example of when I, a person who takes etymology of language very serious, makes a mistake is in the difference between effect and affect. I have to look those up every time or just guess.

I use to be the same with too and to, but eventually I got my brain rewired to use those correctly. I get corrected on the affect/effect error often, and my response is always "thanks for the correction" or "yes, you idiot, I do confuse those a lot, you could have just told me without making yourself look like a moron."

You see, the idiot is the one that assumes they are smarter because they have one good habit the other person does not. It takes more intelligence and humility to admit you made a mistake, don't know, or to offer someone a nudge when you spot a mistake.

Stupidity is the notion that being corrected is insulting, or the notion that you must be insulting when correcting an inconsequential mistake. Being told you're acting stupid when you are is never an insult, if you're a creationist then everything you say about science is stupid, you should know this by now.

The reason we often just come out and call you stupid is because you deluded freaks constantly call us evil and stupid for wanting to learn. You are deluded, and your delusion prevents you from admitting that you're completely clueless.

Honesty demands that we do not sugar coat mistakes, but that does not mean it has to be included with attempts to insult your identity, family, or friends. When you are acting like an idiot, it's better to be informed of it than to think being an idiot makes you look smart, because you know we'll laugh at you, whether in front of you or behind your back.

If you prefer not to know everyone is laughing at you, then perhaps the delusion of religion is perfect for you, but don't expect to be allowed to make decisions for yourself or anyone else.