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What are your thoughts on being called Lemmings if this platform becomes a staple? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Curious to know, I'd heard "lemming" used in a semi derogatory way, since "a person who unthinkingly joins a mass movement, especially a headlong rush to destruction" is the dictionary definition. It seems to be the first thing to come to mind as to what you'd call a Lemmy user.

This platform certainly is embodying a mass movement to get off of reddit, and I'm definitely all for it! But I can't help but feel this could be one of those baby names that sounded cute and catchy but could be bullied later into life. What are your thoughts?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There is also something called irony, which could be embraced and that would quell the bullying. Own it. It's funny, stop taking things so seriously. Also, who cares?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Expanding on this, this is how language builds. Terms are often ironic or late take on different meanings than intended. I for one like lemmings, and I think it's unlikely another term would stick even if we wanted it to.