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piker 2 hours ago

I'm not defending Musk, but "problematic" used in this type of context is one of those words that says more about the speaker than it does the subject.

gwerbin 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Taking issue with this use of "problematic" says a lot about the speaker too.

ryandrake 38 minutes ago | parent [-]

"Problematic" is just vague. It's not that much more writing to specify the actual problems.

lokar 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I think you can forgive it as a rhetorical device when speaking to a really broad audience.

CamperBob2 an hour ago | parent [-]

IMO it's best to use fewer thought-terminating cliches in that case, not more. Unless one is simply engaging in a Reddit-style call-and-response exercise.

To me, Musk crossed from "maverick" to "problematic" around 2018, when he tried to insert himself into the Thai cave rescue operation and ended up slinging accusations of pedophilia on Twitter.

At this point, he has unlocked many more specific adjectival achievements, and those are the ones that should be invoked whenever Musk's behavior is the topic. (Which it isn't here.)

Henchman21 39 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Just because you've been programmed to associate "problematic" with "liberals" and then further trained to think that people who use the word "problematic" are in fact problems, that's on you, the larger zeitgeist you don't see, and the people programming you.

rhines 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I feel like taking issue with a word, even when used in a perfectly valid situation, is something worth reflection. Like fair enough if you've heard problematic used in ways you disagree with before, but maybe respond to those comments, not one where you agree with its use. Unless you actually do mean to defend Musk and don't think lying to investors, calling people pedos for saving kids, delaying public infrastructure, doing Nazi salutes, etc. etc. is problematic.

joleyj 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

It seems to me to be saying that the person finds Elon Musk’s behavior problematic. What else are you reading into it?