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

Biodegradable · 14-01-2020 09:55PM #1

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 · 14-01-2020 10:03PM

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

ILoveYourVibes · 14-01-2020 10:03PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:04PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:05PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:06PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:08PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:08PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:10PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:16PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:20PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:30PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:38PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:40PM

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 · 14-01-2020 10:48PM

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:

14-01-2020 10:48PM

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 · 14-01-2020 11:10PM

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 · 14-01-2020 11:22PM

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.

14-01-2020 11:29PM

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.

14-01-2020 11:32PM

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

ILoveYourVibes · 14-01-2020 11:36PM

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 · 14-01-2020 11:36PM

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 · 14-01-2020 11:40PM

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!

14-01-2020 11:45PM

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 · 14-01-2020 11:46PM

Deleted User wrote: »

We should all have a whip around.

mean....

Sardonicat · 14-01-2020 11:47PM

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.

14-01-2020 11:47PM

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 · 14-01-2020 11:48PM

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 · 14-01-2020 11:49PM

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 · 15-01-2020 01:08AM

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 · 15-01-2020 01:10AM

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.

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

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