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<blockquote data-quote="EzekielRaiden" data-source="post: 9360561" data-attributes="member: 6790260">I think with &quot;idiot,&quot; &quot;dumb,&quot; &quot;imbecile,&quot; etc., some of the issue is that they're so far back in the dysphemism treadmill, it's not worth fighting them--most people today don't even see &quot;dumb&quot; as being a word that reflects mental diagnosis, and it's so mild that it's widely used in children's media. Having words to refer to a thing or behavior seeming to lack intelligence, forethought, or consideration is useful, and that's what those words now are. The issue with the R-word was that people tried to nip the dysphemism treadmill in the bud, and...kinda-sorta succeeded. Mostly in making the word nearly verboten anywhere, even in technical uses, but the breakup of the treadmill seems to have delayed or even completely derailed its effect on newer terms.With regard to Paladin, I definitely agree that a vaguely similar process has happened, not because of D&amp;D strictly, but because of the video games it inspired. &quot;Paladin&quot; has become shorthand for an archetype, and often one that gives a voice within gaming spaces for that which is best in us: compassion, hope, kindness, wisdom, courage, magnanimity, forgiveness, valor, honor, love. I can't bring myself to call that the fruit of a poisoned tree.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="EzekielRaiden, post: 9360561, member: 6790260"] I think with "idiot," "dumb," "imbecile," etc., some of the issue is that they're so far back in the dysphemism treadmill, it's not worth fighting them--most people today don't even see "dumb" as being a word that reflects mental diagnosis, and it's so mild that it's widely used in children's media. Having words to refer to a thing or behavior seeming to lack intelligence, forethought, or consideration is useful, and that's what those words now are. The issue with the R-word was that people tried to nip the dysphemism treadmill in the bud, and...kinda-sorta succeeded. Mostly in making the word nearly verboten [I]anywhere[/I], even in technical uses, but the breakup of the treadmill [I]seems[/I] to have delayed or even completely derailed its effect on newer terms. With regard to Paladin, I definitely agree that a vaguely similar process has happened, not because of D&D strictly, but because of the video games it inspired. "Paladin" has become shorthand for an archetype, and often one that gives a voice within gaming spaces for that which is best in us: compassion, hope, kindness, wisdom, courage, magnanimity, forgiveness, valor, honor, love. I can't bring myself to call that the fruit of a poisoned tree. [/QUOTE]

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