What is a "rant"?

[renard_ruse]

The last few years, the dismissive term "rant" has increasingly been used to describe people expressing opinions on an issue or issues. The term basically implies that the opinion(s) are not to be taken seriously and should be ignored or worse. In fact, the word historically has meant a crazy, pointless, blathering, with the term "rantings of a crazy person" being commonly associated with the word.

Today, however, just about any opinion, particularly if lengthy and accompanied by factual arguments, if expressed by an ordinary person is labeled a "rant." Its interesting to note, however, commentary expressed by the major media and mainstream columnists is not normally called a "rant." The speeches and proclamations of "western" political officials (particularly those from mainstream establishment parties) are not normally called "rants", nor are those from say the United Nations. Television commercials are never called "rants." In fact, the term is almost exclusively used to refer to an ordinary individual speaking out for or against something, NOT when an establishment figure says something.

Its time that people start challenging the use of this subtly prejudicial term, and especially challenging themselves not to fall for the trap of using the term just "because its the fad word of the moment" in today's language (as programmed by the establishment media itself).

 

[koalabear]

A Chinese ramp?

 

[renard_ruse]

A Chinese ramp?

Thirty might take offense to that.

 

[Liar]

A Chinese ramp?

You're thinking of a lamp.

 

[oggbashan]

My definition of a 'rant' is someone expressing a personal view in highly emotive language - without any proof or verifiable facts, and the lack of facts make it a 'rant'.

A rant can be amusing, entertaining, or just venting your fury with some event or action e.g. a rant about excessive snowfall and the inconvenience it has caused.

A political 'rant' is different. It is the expression of a political view that does not expect agreement or rational discussion and is just a statement designed to offend people who do not share that view. Political rants often include straw man arguments, labels for those who oppose the view such as 'Socialist', 'Fascist', 'Communist' etc. and try to split the hearers into 'my side' and 'Them'.

I see no stigma attached to a personal rant which could be the equivalent of shaking one's fist at Heaven for the injustice, inconvenience etc.

But political rants are worthless. They do not attempt to persuade or influence, just to divide.

Most political views expressed by politicians, media editorials, and commentators are attempts to persuade voters or to sell a message either for or against some change. But some politicians and religious leaders express views that deserve to be labelled 'rants' because they are preaching ONLY to the converted.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

My definition of a 'rant' is someone expressing a personal view in highly emotive language - without any proof or verifiable facts, and the lack of facts make it a 'rant'.

A rant can be amusing, entertaining, or just venting your fury with some event or action e.g. a rant about excessive snowfall and the inconvenience it has caused.

A political 'rant' is different. It is the expression of a political view that does not expect agreement or rational discussion and is just a statement designed to offend people who do not share that view. Political rants often include straw man arguments, labels for those who oppose the view such as 'Socialist', 'Fascist', 'Communist' etc. and try to split the hearers into 'my side' and 'Them'.

I see no stigma attached to a personal rant which could be the equivalent of shaking one's fist at Heaven for the injustice, inconvenience etc.

But political rants are worthless. They do not attempt to persuade or influence, just to divide.

Most political views expressed by politicians, media editorials, and commentators are attempts to persuade voters or to sell a message either for or against some change. But some politicians and religious leaders express views that deserve to be labelled 'rants' because they are preaching ONLY to the converted.

Advance to the head of the class.

The Queen of Ranters was a school social worker named Brigid who kept everyone excited about a 13 year old bastard whom everyone hated. He was in trouble constantly, and every time the police pinched him he'd start with the bull shit about his mother. Brigid would then run with it tho none of it was close to true. She was obsessed with the kid, and determined to lock the mother away in prison for crimes that never happened.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

You're thinking of a lamp.

That's funny.

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

HAMLET
'Swounds, show me what thou'lt do.
Woo’t weep? Woo’t fight? Woo’t fast? Woo’t tear thyself?
Woo’t drink up eisel, eat a crocodile?
I’ll do ’t. Dost thou come here to whine,
To outface me with leaping in her grave?
Be buried quick with her?—and so will I.
And if thou prate of mountains let them throw
Millions of acres on us, till our ground,
Singeing his pate against the burning zone,
Make Ossa like a wart! Nay, an thou'lt mouth,
I’ll rant as well as thou.

The Bard was a serious ranter. I don't accept your premise.

 

[patient1]

My definition of a 'rant' is someone expressing a personal view in highly emotive language - without any proof or verifiable facts, and the lack of facts make it a 'rant'.

A rant can be amusing, entertaining, or just venting your fury with some event or action e.g. a rant about excessive snowfall and the inconvenience it has caused.

A political 'rant' is different. It is the expression of a political view that does not expect agreement or rational discussion and is just a statement designed to offend people who do not share that view. Political rants often include straw man arguments, labels for those who oppose the view such as 'Socialist', 'Fascist', 'Communist' etc. and try to split the hearers into 'my side' and 'Them'.

I see no stigma attached to a personal rant which could be the equivalent of shaking one's fist at Heaven for the injustice, inconvenience etc.

But political rants are worthless. They do not attempt to persuade or influence, just to divide.

Most political views expressed by politicians, media editorials, and commentators are attempts to persuade voters or to sell a message either for or against some change. But some politicians and religious leaders express views that deserve to be labelled 'rants' because they are preaching ONLY to the converted.

What the giant said.

A rant is an expression of passion.
Jenn comes to mind. She complains rather than convinces.