TIL that some languages apparently have words inherently differentiating one's status as a citizen or resident of the entity versus a member of a particular ethnic or cultural group? I don't quite grasp the whole thing, although I heard the point being made. What's interesting to me is a) that there is such a thing, which seems very revealing of something about a culture that would need such concepts built into the language, and b) that there seem to be people who think it's inaccurate to interpret the word choice as meaningful. Firstly, since languages have all sorts of concepts built into them, many very specific to their primary culture of use, it seems reasonable that such a thing could exist. Not that I would have thought of it before, since I'm not from a culture where that sort of subtlety functions. Secondly, if that is, indeed, the subtlety of the word choices, where one essentially and inherently includes people, and the other excludes, then I'd kind o...
But seriously, what kind of messed up psychology are we in the middle of creating in this society if we desperately need to know whether someone has "mentioned" us? Omg! Am I a person? Do I exist?
ReplyDeleteWho cares? I obviously know if I am chatting with my friends, and any unknown weirdos can just stay away!
You've always gotten a ping if someone +'d your name into a post or comment.
ReplyDeleteYes. Unless this is something new, this is a way of people in a conversation making sure you know you're being spoken of, or more often, spoken to. It's conscious inclusion.
ReplyDeleteIt's a thing up top where you can apparently check to see all the entries that have ever mentioned you. It's different from the pinging, which I don't mind and even find useful (it's what I meant when I said I know if my friends are chatting).
ReplyDeletetwitter has had the same thing since forever, so it's not unusual to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, hey! Missed that. I like it!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's interesting.
ReplyDeleteBut ultimately, it's a social platform built by a search company. It's a little bizarre it took them that long to implement it.