Is the word 'coward' misused more often than not?

Biodegradable

It's all too often that I hear the word coward used to describe someone who committed a cruel act. Just because someone does something cruel to someone defenceless technically does not mean that they are a coward. Isn't it wishful thinking to say that a rapist is a coward.

Being a coward is a completely different thing. Like say not having the courage to go after what you really want. Every individual probably feels like cowards at least once a day... because we all know the things that we're too afraid to do. If a person has an imagination, then they probably feel like a coward more of the time than others.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Well, if you pick on defenceless victims, id consider it pretty cowardly.

ILoveYourVibes

Biodegradable wrote: »

It's all too often that I hear the word coward used to describe someone who committed a cruel act. Just because someone does something cruel to someone defenceless technically does not mean that they are a coward. Isn't it wishful thinking to say that a rapist is a coward.

Being a coward is a completely different thing. Like say not having the courage to go after what you really want. Every individual probably feels like cowards at least once a day... because we all know the things that we're too afraid to do. If a person has an imagination, then they probably feel like a coward more of the time than others.

Rapists are cowards they rarely rape in public.

mr_fegelien

I wonder what Richard Dawkins has to say about that. What's the evolutionary reason why people care about cowardice?

To be fair, it makes perfect sense in a way to condemn acting against defensless people. Imagine if you and your mother when 6 were at a bus stop with no one around in and a huge 6ft drunk lad starting hitting on your mom. She says no but he keeps insiting and gets the idea of pinning her down and having sex. But then he remembers in his heavily inebriated ming being told by friends "rape is only for cowards". and stops bothering you.

Would you be okay with calling him a coward if it stopped a defenceless woman from being impregnated? Would you not be glad for your hypothetical mother that his friend put that thought about cowardice in his mind?

Biodegradable

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Well, if you pick on defenceless victims, id consider it pretty cowardly.

Not necessarily. To say that such a person is a coward implies that that person didn't have the courage to pick on someone of their own size. Whereas I'd think of it as a matter of convenience for the perpetrator, rather than a matter of cowardice.

Just like if were to buy tomatoes in a shop, instead of growing them in my garden, that because of convenience. Wouldn't it be odd to say that makes me cowardly!?

Signore Fancy Pants

mr_fegelien wrote: »

I wonder what Richard Dawkins has to say about that. What's the evolutionary reason why people care about cowardice?

To be fair, it makes perfect sense in a way to condemn acting against defensless people. Imagine if you and your mother when 6 were at a bus stop with no one around in and a huge 6ft drunk lad starting hitting on your mom. She says no but he keeps insiting and gets the idea of pinning her down and having sex. But then he remembers in his heavily inebriated ming being told by friends "rape is only for cowards". and stops bothering you.

Would you be okay with calling him a coward if it stopped a defenceless woman from being impregnated? Would you not be glad for your hypothetical mother that his friend put that thought about cowardice in his mind?

What the tittyfcuking Christ is this bolloxology?

You'd want to sort yourself out.

State of ye.

mr_fegelien

Biodegradable wrote: »

Not necessarily. To say the person is a coward implies that they don't have the courage to pick on people their own size. Where as I'd think of it as a matter of convenience for the perpetrator.

The 9/11 hijackers for example. Some say they were cowards cause they picked on innocent civilians who wouldn't resist but one could look at it from a point of being economical.

They knew that fighting a battle against soliders would be a fruitless endeavor and decided that hijacking passenger planes and smashing them into buildings was a more ingenious idea.

ILoveYourVibes

Biodegradable wrote: »

Not necessarily. To say the person is a coward implies that they don't have the courage to pick on people their own size. Where as I'd think of it as a matter of convenience for the perpetrator.

What if they are placating to people of their own size? Doesn't that indicate they are afraid of them?

Not having the courage to pick on your peers indicates you are afraid of them.

ILoveYourVibes

mr_fegelien wrote: »

The 9/11 hijackers for example. Some say they were cowards cause they picked on innocent civilians who wouldn't resist but one could look at it from a point of being economical.

They knew that fighting a battle against soliders would be a fruitless endeavor and decided that hijacking passenger planes and smashing them into buildings was a more ingenious idea.

The killed themselves though rather than hang around. I would say that is cowardice.

mr_fegelien

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

The killed themselves though rather than hang around. I would say that is cowardice.

there was no way that such a mass casualty event like 9/11 could have been achieved without it being a suicide mission excluding someone detonating a dirty bomb in New York, L.A etc. Do you consider kamikazees in Japan cowards?

ILoveYourVibes

mr_fegelien wrote: »

there was no way that such a mass casualty event like 9/11 could have been achieved without it being a suicide mission excluding someone detonating a dirty bomb in New York, L.A etc. Do you consider kamikazees in Japan cowards?

Of course. They were people who refused to oppose their countries supporting nazis but where willing to die in missions that hurt the allies.

You won't stand against your emperor for what you know is right.....I mean the worst they could have done to you was kill you.

Yeah that is pretty cowardly.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Biodegradable wrote: »

Not necessarily. To say that such a person is a coward implies that that person didn't have the courage to pick on someone of their own size. Whereas I'd think of it as a matter of convenience for the perpetrator, rather than a matter of cowardice.

Just like if were to buy tomatoes in a shop, instead of growing them in my garden, that because of convenience. Wouldn't it be odd to say that makes me cowardly!?

But what if stronger targets had better pickings?

The analogy doesn't with because the end result is the same.

ILoveYourVibes

If a baby has sweets and a big buff guy has more sweets and you still from a baby when no one is looking ..that is cowardice.

If you steal from the baby in front of everyone and from the big guy that is balls.

KiKi III

mr_fegelien wrote: »

I wonder what Richard Dawkins has to say about that. What's the evolutionary reason why people care about cowardice?

To be fair, it makes perfect sense in a way to condemn acting against defensless people. Imagine if you and your mother when 6 were at a bus stop with no one around in and a huge 6ft drunk lad starting hitting on your mom. She says no but he keeps insiting and gets the idea of pinning her down and having sex. But then he remembers in his heavily inebriated ming being told by friends "rape is only for cowards". and stops bothering you.

Would you be okay with calling him a coward if it stopped a defenceless woman from being impregnated? Would you not be glad for your hypothetical mother that his friend put that thought about cowardice in his mind?

Therapy honestly isn’t that expensive really.

ILoveYourVibes

KiKi III wrote: »

Therapy honestly isn’t that expensive really.

Its 150 euros a go for me....and you usually have to attend once a week. :cool:

ILoveYourVibes

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Its 150 euros a go for me....and you usually have to attend once a week. :cool:

You're probably a particularly difficult case though..

KiKi III

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Its 150 euros a go for me....and you usually have to attend once a week. :cool:

But it keeps you off Boards for an hour, and that’s no mean feat.

ILoveYourVibes

Deleted User wrote: »

You're probably a particularly difficult case though..

Yep non of that therapist lark I went to an actual psychiatrist. It was my own choice.

He said 'You fascinate me'. I mean he has like people actually locked up for being nut jobs and I fascinate him!

It's expensive though. 150 a week is prohibitive for some.

But it keeps you off Boards for an hour, and that’s no mean feat.

I haven't been on boards for 2 days before this evening. But i am in everyone's head for some reason.

ILoveYourVibes

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Yep non of that therapist lark I went to an actual psychiatrist. It was my own choice.

He said 'You fascinate me'. I mean he has like people actually locked up for being nut jobs and I fascinate him!

It's expensive though. 150 a week is prohibitive for some.



I haven't been on boards for 2 days before this evening. But i am in everyone's head for some reason.

You have an inclination to attention seek.

That was probably a bit mean of me. Its just..........Lord save us Vibes.

ILoveYourVibes

Deleted User wrote: »

You have an inclination to attention seek.

I actually don't. I don't post to get attention.

I don't seek attention in life either. I am the least needy friend.

I DO however have an endless train of thought like most introverts.

Its more feather headedness ....Plus i have no filter. I am probably too honest too.

That was probably a bit mean of me. Its just..........Lord save us Vibes.

At least you admit you are mean. I respect that.

Sardonicat

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I actually don't. I don't post to get attention.

I don't seek attention in life either. I am the least needy friend.

I DO however have an endless train of thought like most introverts.

Its more feather headedness ....Plus i have no filter. I am probably too honest too.

Fascinating

ILoveYourVibes

Sardonicat wrote: »

Fascinating

I hate being around people in real life.

I have a friend studying psychology. She said people who are introverts have noisy minds. That is why they avoid groups. They can't shut off the chatter in their heads. And its tiring.

Whereas people with calm quiet minds actually seek out distraction in groups.

Introverts have noisy heads and extroverts have quiet minds.

Actually this will probably explain it better.


In person ...i wouldn't really say a lot ...and i don't really text that much ....or talk on the phone ...i don't need to meet up a lot with friends etc ..I LOVE MY OWN COMPANY

BUT if a teacher asks me to write an essay on ANYTHING .....it will be like 10 thousand pages. I won't be able to stop!

KiKi III

KiKi III wrote: »

But it keeps you off Boards for an hour, and that’s no mean feat.

We should all have a whip around.

ILoveYourVibes

Deleted User wrote: »

We should all have a whip around.

mean....

Sardonicat

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I hate being around people in real life.

I have a friend studying psychology. She said people who are introverts have noisy minds. That is why they avoid groups. They can't shut off the chatter in their heads. And its tiring.

Whereas people with calm quiet minds actually seek out distraction in groups.

Introverts have noisy heads and extroverts have quiet minds.

Actually this will probably explain it better.


In person ...i wouldn't really say a lot ...and i don't really text that much ....or talk on the phone ...i don't need to meet up a lot with friends etc ..I LOVE MY OWN COMPANY

BUT if a teacher asks me to write an essay on ANYTHING .....it will be like 10 thousand pages. I won't be able to stop!

Truly riveting.

What about American troops so, are they brave or are they cowards?

Are they brave for going to war, or are they cowards for going picking on defenceless countries where the overwhelming number of deaths will be civilians?

ILoveYourVibes

Sardonicat wrote: »

Truly riveting.

Kind of feel like you are bulling me like 90% of the time you post something to me. No idea why you hate me.

Can't we be friends?

You might think its funny but guys it actually hurts my feelings. It also hurts my self esteem.

I know in your mind you don't wake and think hey today i am going to hurt ILYV etc. You are prob a lovely person. So why can't we get on?

ILoveYourVibes

Deleted User wrote: »

What about American troops so, are they brave or are they cowards?

Are they brave for going to war, or are they cowards for going picking on defenceless countries where the overwhelming number of deaths will be civilians?

Well put.

Better Than Christ

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Plus i have no filter.

That's an excuse. You have a filter - you just choose not to use it. You're aware that some people find that annoying, and you persist regardless. Which is your right, but it's inevitable that people will sometimes express that annoyance.

ILoveYourVibes

Better Than Christ wrote: »

That's an excuse. You have a filter - you just choose not to use it. You're aware that some people find that annoying, and you persist regardless. Which is your right, but it's inevitable that people will sometimes express that annoyance.

People who find it annoying have a mute button.

Not everyone finds it annoying also. There are plenty of things i find annoying. I filter those. Others seem incapable of doing so.

I don't filter things that really don't mention other people. That don't hurt other people.

Lyan

mr_fegelien wrote: »

I wonder what Richard Dawkins has to say about that. What's the evolutionary reason why people care about cowardice?

Being able to stand up for yourself and not act frightened can signal fitness. Shaming others for cowardice can help enforce group cohesion. Seems pretty obvious.

Better Than Christ

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

People who find it annoying have a mute button.

Alternatively, you could take steps to try and be less annoying. That's what I'd do anyway, rather than expecting lots of people to mute me. Unless they were people who I actively wanted to annoy.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Deleted User wrote: »

What about American troops so, are they brave or are they cowards?

Are they brave for going to war, or are they cowards for going picking on defenceless countries where the overwhelming number of deaths will be civilians?

Mostly brave. I'd not considering them cowards unless they go looking for trouble. I'd imagine a lot of them have seen and had to deal with a lot of **** to be honest.

The comannders and generals who send them, though? THEY are the coawards. They are the ones picking on defenseless countries.

Blackadder goes Forth portrayed it pretty nicely.

I dont find ILYV annoying at all..yeah, she's verbose, shall we say.. but she's funny, and smarter than half on here..I think she gets a raw deal, probably down to somehow managing however many posts in 6 months..

cameramonkey

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Of course. They were people who refused to oppose their countries supporting nazis but where willing to die in missions that hurt the allies.

You won't stand against your emperor for what you know is right.....I mean the worst they could have done to you was kill you.

Yeah that is pretty cowardly.

So Kamikaze pilots were cowards because they didn't appose the Nazis?

ILoveYourVibes

cameramonkey wrote: »

So Kamikaze pilots were cowards because they didn't appose the Nazis?

They didn't oppose their own corrupt regime. They didn't oppose a regime aiding the wrong side that was telling their people..yeah ..kill yourselves for us ...you are cannon fodder.

Standing up against that status quo requires guts!

ILoveYourVibes

Deleted User wrote: »

I dont find ILYV annoying at all..yeah, she's verbose, shall we say.. but she's funny, and smarter than half on here..

Awh thank you! :P

I love your posts!

storker

Is the word 'coward' misused more often than not?

It may well be, but it's in the ha'penny place compared to the much more misused "traitor".

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Deleted User wrote: »

I dont find ILYV annoying at all..yeah, she's verbose, shall we say.. but she's funny, and smarter than half on here..I think she gets a raw deal, probably down to somehow managing however many posts in 6 months..

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Awh thank you! :P

I love your posts!

Eww.... get a room!!

dd973

The words 'Coward' or 'Traitor' are used more often than not just to disparage and discredit people in the eyes of others.

Biodegradable

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

But what if stronger targets had better pickings?

Well that would be stupid as well as cruel.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

The analogy doesn't with because the end result is the same.

That's why the analogy works. So you grow you're tomatoes in your garden?

Biodegradable

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

If you steal from the baby in front of everyone and from the big guy that is balls.

It's an unusual way of proving that one has balls. More often than not, such an act would be just pure stupidity, or else attention seeking.

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

If a baby has sweets and a big buff guy has more sweets and you still from a baby when no one is looking ..that is cowardice.

Just because there's shame attached to it, doesn't mean it's cowardice. It's actually the logical way for a cruel person to go about getting their sweets easily, while without putting themselves at risk.

Cowardice would be someone who wants to chat up a girl they see, but who doesn't have it in them to go do it. Now the person who stole the sweets from the baby, might well be the sort of person who isn't self conscious and takes what he wants in life. Therefore he might go and approach the girl without hesitation. However, someone who might happen to have high moral values, might be the sort of person who chickens out when it comes to the girl.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Biodegradable wrote: »

Well that would be stupid as well as cruel.
That's why the analogy works. So you grow you're tomatoes in your garden?

Eh, no. You haven't read the argument.

PLenty of criminals go for bigger better-defended targets. This would be seen as brave. Some of them are quite audacious.

Biodegradable

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

PLenty of criminals go for bigger better-defended targets. This would be seen as brave.

Maybe they're thrill seekers, or maybe they've something to prove? And maybe that does prove that such criminals are brave... but it does not prove that the criminal who takes the easier option isn't brave (i.e, that they're a coward).

There's are plenty of times in life when you don't have a choice but to be brave. So why go about creating situations that require bravery, when you can simply get the same result without the risk? There's a difference between laziness and cowardice.

You cannot prove, that the sort of person that you're arguing is a coward, is a coward unless you witness them act in a situation where they actually need to be brave.

You're welcome.

Feisar

Coward is a grossly misused word. As dd973 said it's often used to discredit people.

I've often heard it's cowardly to hit a woman. It may be a reprehensible act however it's not in and of itself cowardly.

Stevieluvsye

mr_fegelien wrote: »

I wonder what Richard Dawkins has to say about that. What's the evolutionary reason why people care about cowardice?

To be fair, it makes perfect sense in a way to condemn acting against defensless people. Imagine if you and your mother when 6 were at a bus stop with no one around in and a huge 6ft drunk lad starting hitting on your mom. She says no but he keeps insiting and gets the idea of pinning her down and having sex. But then he remembers in his heavily inebriated ming being told by friends "rape is only for cowards". and stops bothering you.

Would you be okay with calling him a coward if it stopped a defenceless woman from being impregnated? Would you not be glad for your hypothetical mother that his friend put that thought about cowardice in his mind?

You need to be sectioned. And soon. Very soon

marieholmfan

mr_fegelien wrote: »

The 9/11 hijackers for example. Some say they were cowards cause they picked on innocent civilians who wouldn't resist but one could look at it from a point of being economical.

They knew that fighting a battle against soliders would be a fruitless endeavor and decided that hijacking passenger planes and smashing them into buildings was a more ingenious idea.

How were they cowardly?
They literally died for their cause.

You can call them evil but to call them cowardly is a bit counter intuitive.

marieholmfan

Deleted User wrote: »

I dont find ILYV annoying at all..yeah, she's verbose, shall we say.. but she's funny, and smarter than half on here..I think she gets a raw deal, probably down to somehow managing however many posts in 6 months..

Alot of people don't like strong women.

jimgoose

The sort of aggressive, violent people who have a tendency to attack people and commit violent crime are, in general, not cowardly shrinking violet types. The word "coward" is thrown around a lot these days to help victims of these people feel better about themselves.

I often think of the fact unacceptable to George Orwell's "Pacifist Nationalist": "Those who ‘abjure’ violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf."

marieholmfan

jimgoose wrote: »

The sort of aggressive, violent people who have a tendency to attack people and commit violent crime are, in general, not cowardly shrinking violet types. The word "coward" is thrown around a lot these days to help victims of these people feel better about themselves.

I often think of the fact unacceptable to George Orwell's "Pacifist Nationalist": "Those who ‘abjure’ violence can only do so because others are committing violence on their behalf."

Also for alot of people violence is its own reward.