My Kinney moment of the day

[fredericks]

"Brutally honest" is the new blue.

What the fuck is up with people describing themselves as "brutally honest"? Does it give you extra street cred to say "brutally honest" instead of "I'm an ass and have no compunctions breaking your spirit"? There's no need to be brutal when it comes to sharing how you feel. God. It seems like a Kinney effect, that people *want* to come across as if they don't give a shit and will tell you so to your face. The dude was a broken horn dog, lest we all forget.

*sigh*

I'm going to go force my dog to eat something now.

*
While I was out there I managed to catch the sun coming out ever so slowly (yay! sunshine) and see a squirrel nearly fall to a furry death attempting to munch on an apple from our tree. Tenacious lil' buggers, aren't they?

Right. I've thought (!) on what I posted, and my problem isn't with honesty from friends but from the term "brutally honest", particularly the way it's flung about by teenagers and young women. It strikes me as slightly too aware to be true in most cases.

Comments

[theoban.livejournal.com]

It's sort of like saying 'no offence' afterwards. That's said by people who find that it's easier to apologise for the offence rather than not insult someone in the first place.

[faedrake.livejournal.com]

Indeed. I once read that in advanced society people should make two efforts: not to offend, and not to be easily offended. Those who self-identify as brutally honest are just serving their self interests, not doing anyone any favors.

[light-over-me.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. I'm all for honesty... but what's wrong with having a little, um, tact? Sure there's phoniness and oversensitivity too... but then there's just plain good manners, you know? Well said.

[snacktastic.livejournal.com]

There is even a forum for Brutal Honesty. I agree, I think "Brutal Honesty" is used as a justification for being an asshole.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

That's said by people who find that it's easier to apologise for the offence rather than not insult someone in the first place.

I like how you said what I was meaning to say with infinitely less words. You're my hero.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Those who self-identify as brutally honest are just serving their self interests, not doing anyone any favors.

That would seem to be the point. It's quite possible to be honest or to say that one is honest to others without sticking the adjective in there. At that point you wish simply to shock or "get your [own] rocks off", as the kids would say.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Here here! Why can't more people say they're "tactfully honest"?

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

As if people need to justify being pricks. I love my fellow man. Heh.

[theoban.livejournal.com]

*cough* well, erm, Terry Pratchett did technically write it first.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Oh. I see.

Please return the Hero Plaque posthaste so I can mail it to one Terry Pratchett.

Thank you.

[theoban.livejournal.com]

It's sent, it's sent. Don't hurt me! Plagiarism is just another form of...erm....me not having original thoughts. Whatever.