Safe spaces are places that help build community and support between people that are marginalized in wider society (like LGBTQ+, African/Native/Asian Americans, autistic people, etc.)
In our day and age this is necessary because the wider world can be hostile to ideas and behaviours that push against the social norm. These ideas and behaviours that are expressed in these communities are, almost by definition, actively pushing against the social norm and trying to advocate for new and better social norms.
The way that these ideas are attacked can either be direct or indirect in their nature but all of the attacks essentially boils down to unhelpful criticism of the core idea.
For example, if someone made a comment about LGBTQ+ rights and how they need to be advocated more in general society but then someone else comes along and questions whether or not there is any fundamental inequality between LGBTQ+ people and wider society they are implicitly stifling conversation through questioning the core premise of inequality which stops further conversation.
Criticism can be great and help expose weaknesses in initial ideas but at the same time, it also can end up stifling creativity and discussion when people don’t feel emotionally safe sharing their views with others in the community.
This is exactly why ideas can be fragile. Even great ideas and behaviours can end up being forgotten or abandoned because people excessively criticize them without actually developing them further.
This is why safe spaces are important to help nurture and build ideas/behaviours that otherwise would have a hard time gaining traction and help develop them so they become more resilient.
So how do we balance the need for critique and support in communities?
I think a good way of doing this would be to encourage constructive dissent - disagreeing in ways that help build on top of an idea instead of directly stifling it.
This is done by accepting the core premise from the person you are talking to and finding ways to make the idea/behaviour they presented better.
This is exactly why in improv it is important to have the attitude of “Yes, and” because otherwise the scene won’t go anywhere and will either be stuck or completely dissolve.
Takeaway:
We need more communities where ideas can be built on top of each other instead of just being beaten down.
Is your house a safe space? I don’t get it. Are you trying to make a space in society to exclude those that think differently? Does that mean you’re okay with spaces that exclude lgbtq+? Should we all make little bubbles with labels that we all feel comfortable in, that way we can hear our groups echos louder?
It isn’t about creating a space in society that excludes those that think differently (diversity of thought is good) but rather allowing ideas from people that are marginalized to develop and grow without constant criticism which can be tiring and excessive for the people that are fending them off. There are times and places when both are important and how it is implemented is the key aspect of whether it creates polarized echo chambers or something that makes the ideas in that community better.
Edit: echo chamber -> polarized echo chambers
So if you go to a coffee shop and have a conversation, you’re afraid some stranger is just going to pull up a chair and start arguing with you?
I like how this is the top comment. A bunch of people who can’t freaking read.
The answer to this is in the post, which I haven’t even read fully:
No, it’s not about “excluding those that think differently”. It’s about excluding those that attack core ideas in a way that isn’t helpful.
In a sense, OP must necessarily be okay with this. Right-wing safe spaces like Twitter are just as valuable as…uhh…idk…gender studies classes. In either case, the entire point is to
So, it’s funny when you say this:
That sentiment is brought into the mainstream from safe spaces where critical thinking and basic reading comprehension are in short supply. Your entire argument is a straw man that doesn’t even address the core idea, but straw mans it as labeled comfortability bubbles for echo chambers. I’m not sure what rule #2 “Be respectful” means exactly, but not fairly considering a well thought out argument should be a violation of it.
Wtf are you talking about? Twitter is a safe space now? You want a safe space, make a discord and invite only your friends… Where are you going where you feel so attacked?
Well, I’m glad you concede the point that your reading comprehension is abysmal by…checks notes…demonstrating it again.
I’m a glutton for punishment, actually. I read absolute shit like the Daily Signal because I genuinely find it interesting for so many reasons. I like existing in echo chambers that are diametrically opposed to my ideals. Unlike the soulless, hateful right-wing assholes I spend my time studying, I’m reminded that other people exist and they disagree with me vehemently on some things, but that doesn’t mean they’re stupid, misled, or however Democrats explain Trump-loving Republicans.
Matter of fact, if you have any recommendations, please let me know.
You’re like a broken llm. How do you type so much without saying anything? I have no idea why you’re ranting about republicans and shit. You haven’t even addressed my points. This is about “safe spaces” which is the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard. Your house is safe, is the coffee shop dangerous? Is your discord group dangerous? Are you just attacked by everyone around you wherever you go? I think you’d be surprised to know, most people don’t give a shit what you are.