I know it’s used toward Trumpist politicians so far. Was the context such that “weirdo” was the only sensible choice?

I feel troubled by this because Keep Austin Weird, Keep Portland Weird, etc., which is normally celebrated. And I’m weird.

  • Today@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    42
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    12 days ago

    It’s only bad if you’re offended by it. Embrace the weird = all good. Spend all your time trying to convince people that you’re not weird = super weird.

    • sin_free_for_00_days@sopuli.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      22
      ·
      12 days ago

      As I read somewhere recently, there is good weird and bad weird. You know which is which by how the target reacts. Almost all my friends are weird. Good weird. Except for Steve.

  • JeeBaiChow@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    11
    ·
    12 days ago

    Is there another choice to describe trump? I mean, other than convicted insurrectionist rapist grifter fool?

  • CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    12 days ago

    I think there’s a different between being weird and being a weirdo. Weird people can be fun, but you have to watch out for weirdos.

  • Zachariah@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    130
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    12 days ago

    Good weird = you get called weird, and you’re like, “duh, we’re all weird”

    Bad weird = you get called weird, and you respond defensively and have to prove how normal you are to everyone

  • Boozilla@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    19
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    12 days ago

    The weird window has shifted. Having purple hair and a nose ring used to be “very weird”. Now nobody blinks an an eye at that stuff.

    But being attracted to your own daughter (and admitting it publicly) and fucking a couch (and admitting it publicly) are still considered very weird.

    • MrBobDobalina@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      12 days ago

      Get them on the real stuff, there’s plenty of it. The couch thing is known to be made up and is just misinformation now (well, always was).

      He certainly seems like someone who might fuck a couch because he’s fucking weird, so keep the jokes about it coming, but the book excerpt was fake

  • rhythmisaprancer@moist.catsweat.com
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    13
    ·
    12 days ago

    I dont think it is helpful to see it as a slur. This is more like “use my words against me” and it works, really well. The right wing folks this is messing with identify as being normal, predictable, sensible, strong, etc. Not weird. So when one of them goes to a donut shop and has their internal record get stuck on “OK, good” it looks abnormal, unpredictable, nonsensical, and perhaps even weak. AKA weird, and we can make them uncomfortable with that.

  • morphballganon@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    33
    ·
    11 days ago
    1. Republicans are morons

    2. Republicans are anti-intellectual

    3. Using sophisticated language to critique republicans shows them you’re not one of them, and they can write you off as a member of the out-group in their minds

    4. The word weird doesn’t trigger the anti-intellectual alarms, so their defenses don’t shoot up, and they’re left scrambling for a retort, feeling awkward as they are now a member of their own out-group

  • Maeve@kbin.earth
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    12 days ago

    Wasn’t in response to people bullying Walz’s son for proudly pointing at his dad, crying, saying “I love you, Dad,” or something similar, during one of his father’s speeches?

  • theywilleatthestars@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    120
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    12 days ago

    Tim Walz said that Republicans had become weird and they all got really offended and started doing race science about it, so it works.

  • gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    30
    ·
    11 days ago

    Ok so this feels a lot like borrowed/manufactured concern or outrage. Thats why you’re getting downvoted, and I admit it looks like that to me too.

    But if your question does happen to be genuine: it’s because it’s one of the most hilariously simple rhetorical shots that anyone has made at the GOP and Trump + Vance. The fact that they’re so bent out of shape and CLEARLY upset by being called “weird” is weird by itself, in the most negative connotation of the word. Not to mention, most people who consider themselves “weird” - including myself - would respond to being weird with something between “hell yeah dude fist bump” and “hell yeah dude. Go fuck yourself”, depending on the context and delivery of the original comment. The fact that they’re SUPER upset about being called weird is the primary fact that’s being made fun of here, as well as the fact that, well, the things they are fixating on, and a ton of their campaign positions, are objectively outright weird. It’s leaning on linguistic subtleties and flexibility to take a shot at fascists and live rent-free in their heads, and to most people, it’s absolutely fucking hilarious that it seems to be working.

    • bec@lemmy.nzOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      9 days ago

      it looks like that to me too

      Genuine question. I do want to engage in discussing political matters—well, some days, when I’m up for it—but I’m hesitant because I expect to be viewed with some paranoia. I will do my best not to even look at votes. If I snark on headlines for some time, which I would enjoy, maybe enough people will figure out I’m not something bad.

  • owenfromcanada@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    12 days ago

    I have a feeling that the political use of it will die out after the election, for what that’s worth. And I don’t think it will seriously impact the “Keep ______ Weird” trend, because they are celebrating weirdness (whereas the Republicans are trying to claim they’re not).

  • LesserAbe@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    33
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    12 days ago

    I’ve seen people say there’s good weird and bad weird, and if you don’t mind calling yourself weird it’s probably the good kind.

    As for calling maga people weird I think it’s effective because their whole deal is about vibes. “We’re strong, we’re smart” and it really bothers them to be perceived otherwise. It’s also not something you can “debate”. Either people accept it or they don’t. What are you going to say “no, I’m not weird”? Sure thing buddy.

    • SkavarSharraddas@gehirneimer.de
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      12
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      12 days ago

      And if a self-proclaimed “alpha male” elicits a reaction of fear or anger that confirms their self-image. But being called weird, or laughed at like the clowns they are, undermines their whole act.

  • spacemoss@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    12 days ago

    I feel the same way. In the end, this is the english language where the words are made up and none of the definitions matter.