I'm listening to a conversation on Fascism, a topic that is certainly relevant lately. But I have to admit, I found myself getting frustrated with the self-imposed roadblocks distracting from the actual goal of the discussion.
I often say that I have a love-hate relationship with labels. On one hand, they help me think, categorize ideas, and work out relationships between concepts. But I also know they can become distracting and ineffective. A label is ultimately a tool — a shortcut used to convey a broader idea, establish context, or edify a larger point. But it is remarkably easy to stop focusing on the bullseye and start focusing on the label itself.
What is even more interesting to me is that, depending on the situation, people may intentionally misuse labels to emphasize a point. Sometimes the goal is not perfect precision, but rather planting a giant red flag in the middle of the room so it cannot be ignored by the participants.
The conversation on Fascism — or rather, the frustrating conversation about Fascism — became lost in the pursuit of perfection.
“Are you being hyperbolic when using that word? Maybe you shouldn’t use it then.”
That became the corrective coaching offered by the more experienced conversationalists. The focus shifted entirely. Mislabeling itself became the crime.
The truth is that I can simultaneously grant that a word is being used hyperbolically while also believing the other person should move past the imperfect label and address the actual concern being raised: a terrible freedom-restricting policy, a pseudo-police-force-breaking norm, or some other alarming trend.
Hyper-focusing on absolute precision in labeling can become just as ineffective as paralysis by analysis. I will not go as far as to say the conversation was redirected in bad faith, but it might as well have been.
To steelman the argument for precision, I do want to be clear: yes, if we become too careless with labels — calling everyone racist, fascist, or any other loaded term — the labels eventually become toothless. Words lose meaning, and our broader goals may end up being hurt rather than helped.
I understand the argument. It makes sense.
But it can also be true that someone has already weighed the cost of imprecision and decided it is worth paying for the sake of urgency, emphasis, or simply moving the conversation forward.
Maybe I’m being naive here, but I’m more than OK with someone pushing back.
Ironically, the conversation about labels might not be over yet.
MenO
