I agree with age as a single metric, but there is certainly a correlation. What do you oppose in progressivism that isn't in liberalism?
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Progressives believe in validation; liberals believe in tolerance (and see pressure for validation as often unacceptable). Liberals are gradualist, institutionalist (we're friendly to the idea of cops but are open to reforms, and like laws), we like institutional neutrality and pluralism, ...
jun 27, 2025, 6:42 pm • 0 0 • view
we're relatively absolute on free speech (and don't want concerns over a hostile work environment to stifle diversity of views or expression), and many of us are quite technocratic. Among other things - that's at least enough to see some of what I'm talking about.
jun 27, 2025, 6:42 pm • 0 0 • view
Suppose someone asks to be referred to at work by a nickname that doesn't match their apparent sex? Do you think colleagues should have to do that or be able to refuse?
jun 27, 2025, 6:46 pm • 0 0 • view
I don't have a strong view on whether I'd do it, but if the nickname isn't too weird I think it's generally a good idea to go along with it. I'm not keen on having rules saying one must though, as I'm generally not keen on requiring people to pretend to think/speak a certain way.
jun 27, 2025, 6:49 pm • 0 0 • view
(my first name is generally seen as gender-neutral, with both genders using it reasonably equally)
jun 27, 2025, 6:50 pm • 0 0 • view
But there has to be a rule one way or the other. It is a workplace, so HR either has to say it is okay or isn't. The question isn't if it is impolite, because it clearly is, it is what happens when someone at work is impolite. What is the line?
jun 27, 2025, 6:53 pm • 0 0 • view
Ideally we default to permit and let people set their own boundaries and talk the way they're used to if they're not going out of their way to go after somebody. Even if some people feel uncomfortable unless they can control the speech of others.
jun 27, 2025, 6:56 pm • 0 0 • view
I don't believe you really believe that. Would you be okay with a boss calling a secretary "Babe" if the secretary asked them not to? Is that a situation you would say should be left up to them to work out?
jun 27, 2025, 6:59 pm • 0 0 • view
I think I'm comfortable with a blanket rule against terms of endearment used casually after a request not to, as well as rules against flirting after it's clear it's not appreciated. But using someone's actual name rather than a preferred nickname? I think that's fine.
jun 27, 2025, 7:03 pm • 0 0 • view
And anything that amounts to requiring someone to adopt a set of definitions or sociopolitical views is probably not something that workplaces should have rules about.
jun 27, 2025, 7:03 pm • 0 0 • view
I'm bi, but there are people out there who don't recognise bisexuality or who don't recognise gay marriage (and they might say partner rather than husband). That has to be okay. Their words are theirs, not mine to shape.
jun 27, 2025, 7:04 pm • 0 0 • view
Okay, I have to say that I think you sort of feel it is okay to make rules based on your personal level of comfort. That is why it is important to recognize that eventually our time is up for determining that and let a new normal arise. Unappreciated flirting in the workplace was OK until it wasn't.
jun 27, 2025, 7:08 pm • 0 0 • view
No, I am okay with generally being broadly tolerant without validating, having a workplace that permits people with a wide variety of perspectives on everything, from faith to gender to politics, to ideally speak quite freely and possibly offend each other by their refusal to bow to each other.
jun 27, 2025, 7:13 pm • 0 0 • view