The word 'sheeple' and some of my thoughts about it...

[andrea.from.roma]

I was thinking about it this morning, while using my Spirit to fix a friend's car. Nothing impossible to do, but my MT received kind of a standing ovation. And I thought: "It must be true, Victorinox Spirit is indeed one of the most sheeple-friendly MT's out there".

And then I realized that the expression 'sheeple' (which we don't have in italian, FYI) could be like a boomerang. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it comes from the words 'sheep' and 'people', right? Something like a herd of people who freak out when they see a SAK or a MT because they are told to perceive them as threats. Am I right? Now, don't get me wrong, among 'us' (us being MT enthusiasts) it's not that bad to use that word, it's like a joke. But what if one of those guys comes here to do a bit of research about these fascinating and yet unknown (to him) tools, and he reads that word? He may feel offended by it and simply go away. So, do you understand why I called it a 'boomerang'? It is just my opinion, of course, but I've made my decision: I don't think I'll use that word ever again. I'll refer to people who are not familiar with MT's and SAK's yet with the expression..."people who are not familiar with MT's and SAK's yet". This way, they may fall for them and become addicted.

What do you think?

A.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think the term "sheeple" is a bit offensive, but the fact that they are coming here to learn shows they aren't sheeple- they may have been at one point, but they are taking steps to get better!  The reason we use sheep as an example is that if you startle one sheep, the whole flock runs, even if none of the others know what the problem is, and it's that mindless fear that defines sheeple.  Taking the time to realize that a multitool is indeed something "normal" people could use and not some weapon in disguise wielded by closet sociopaths is proof that someone isn't a mindless sheep.

In fact, I would think that anyone discovering this site and seeing the term "sheeple" would be inspiring for them, and a great motivator to start thinking more about the things around them!

Def

[Benner]

Def pretty much summed up exactly what I wanted to say, so I have nothing more to say. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

But you made a post anyway.... trying to catch up to Mike are we? 

Def

[Styerman]

The only reason that the term is popular and has traction , is that it has a fair amount of truth to it . On the up side , some can be converted , my two nwphews were , but I've got them into SAK's , first Classics , them a Compact and a Huntsman . I've even got them into lights .

One of them is even Jonesing Spyderco's .

Chris

[Benner]

But you made a post anyway.... trying to catch up to Mike are we? 

Def

I do aspire to be him one day 

Like they say in 'Bad Boys' "I wanna be, I wanna be like Mike" 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Fortunately, there is a cure for Sheeple! 

Def

[hawkchucker]

Ya Mall Ninjas cure sheeple.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Actually, I was thinking education, as mall ninjas are likely the silliness that startles the herd in the first place!





Def

[Freudian Frog]

I've heard sheeple used outside of the realm of MT.O. Really it just means a group of followers. I've even heard it used affectionately.

I blame mall ninjas and street thugs the most.

[Craig]

I blame mall ninjas and street thugs the most.

True. Irresponsible journalists have a lot to answer for too - they seem to have got a lot of people living in fear for no real reason other than to sell newspapers/raise viewing figures

[DaveK]

The term "sheeple" is a lot less offensive than the phrase that goes through my head when I see Facebook groups like the one posted here the other day.

In fact "sheeple" is practically a term of endearment in comparison.

[Poncho65]

The term "sheeple" is a lot less offensive than the phrase that goes through my head when I see Facebook groups like the one posted here the other day.

In fact "sheeple" is practically a term of endearment in comparison.

 

I also agree with what Boss man had to say about it

[Gareth]

I blame mall ninjas and street thugs the most.

True. Irresponsible journalists have a lot to answer for too - they seem to have got a lot of people living in fear for no real reason other than to sell newspapers/raise viewing figures

That's a statement I wholeheartedly agree with.  Newspaper journalists most especially.

[Black Rose]

The term 'sheeple' is not accepted on some forums.

On edcforums, if you put 'sheeple' in your post/reply, it gets posted to the thread as 'people'.

[Whoey]

I also agree with Grant, and I am probably guilty of using the sheeple term all too often myself. But it's more about their approach to life in general than just multitools or SAKs...

[nuphoria]

Well, I don't think I've ever used it outside of this forum, but I call people a lot worse things when the notion takes me 

I personally don't think it's very offensive, or meant to be in most cases.

I find people with over the top fake tans terrifying, but the media doesn't make a hoo haa about them wondering around in public do they now! I wonder if they (tanorexics), call people like me "bleach cheeks" or something eh? Everyone's got a name for everyone else I reckon   PC has gone too far, and it's about time we were allowed to use language without being over-policed all the time. There's a big difference between this kind of lighthearted usage and terms which are genuinely offensive, and most people understand that.

[Precise]

Here, here! Three cheers for being offensive, I say! As my wife always tells me, "I just open my mouth and words come out." I made zero effort to not be offensive. That does not mean I sit around thinking up cruel new names to call random strangers. Rather it means I refuse to self censure.

For example, Sheeple are so blasted concerned with 'feelings' they will sit down and eat a 100$ dinner that has been *ruined* and eat it anyway. I will send it back. If I paid for a good meal, I'm getting a good meal. Sheeple find this kind of behavior very offensive. If I have to send a meal back twice, then they get to see offensive!

I calls 'em likes I see 'em.

Oh, and nuphoria, I like that term 'tanorexics' thats a good one. There was one of those where I used to work at and I always referred to her as the 'mean orange lady'. My wife always freaked out and was terrified that I would call her that to her face. Hey, someone needs to tell her *she's orange*! Orange is not a color God made people in. And since she no longer falls within the realm of people colors created by God, I say she's fair game to be called whatever I like.

Hmm, I've started to ramble a tad...

[Styerman]

I despise the cult of learned helplessness that has spawned the breed . I fully intend the term to be derisive . This only applies to unregenerate Sheeple, I will go a long way to help those flock members who want to enter the light .

Chris

[zepla]

I'm sheeple and I don't care 

[Neil]

I'm sheeple and I don't care 

What, cute and fluffy?

[Styerman]

If you own , Firearms , Knives or usefull tools , you are no Sheeple .

Chris

[nuphoria]

Hmm... I wonder if there are any orange people with knives? 

That would be a worry 

[J-sews]

The term 'sheeple' is not accepted on some forums.

On edcforums, if you put 'sheeple' in your post/reply, it gets posted to the thread as 'people'.

So is sheeple considered by some folks to be profanity then?    (that just makes me want to use it even more!)

[Magnus]

The term 'sheeple' is not accepted on some forums.

On edcforums, if you put 'sheeple' in your post/reply, it gets posted to the thread as 'people'.

So is sheeple considered by some folks to be profanity then?    (that just makes me want to use it even more!)

No, some people just enjoy censorship.

[zepla]

I'm sheeple and I don't care 

What, cute and fluffy?

You have no idea 

But on a serious note, it seems to me that most people who fall in the sheeple catagory do not know they are. You know what I mean? It is the same if somebody is ranting on about I don't know, irritating, ugly, lazy or whatever people, I always assume it is about everybody else in the world but not me 

[Hedge Kid]

Hmm... I wonder if there are any orange people with knives? 

That would be a worry 

What, like tooled up Oompalumpas?