It’s straightforwardly a slur – to quote Google’s dictionary, it is “a derogatory or insulting term applied to particular group of people”.
It’s not a term anyone would ever use to neutrally describe a group of people, or a term anyone would use to describe themselves (I have yet to see anyone “reclaim” “techbro”). Its primary conversational value is as an insult.
I’m also surprised by how strongly people feel about this term! I’ve always thought techbro was a mildly insulting caricature of a certain type of Silicon Valley guy
Even if it’s only a “mildly insulting caricature”, it’s still a way to claim that certain people are unintelligent or unserious without actually presenting an argument.
Compare:
“A small handful of incredibly wealthy techbros”
“A small handful of incredibly wealthy people with similar backgrounds in technology, which could lead to biases X and Y”
The first of these feels like it’s trying to do the same thing as the second, without actually backing up its claim.
When I read the second, I feel like someone is trying to make me think. When I read the first, I feel like someone is trying to make me stop thinking.
I’m sorry but can you please explain how “techbro” is a slur?
It’s straightforwardly a slur – to quote Google’s dictionary, it is “a derogatory or insulting term applied to particular group of people”.
It’s not a term anyone would ever use to neutrally describe a group of people, or a term anyone would use to describe themselves (I have yet to see anyone “reclaim” “techbro”). Its primary conversational value is as an insult.
I’m also surprised by how strongly people feel about this term! I’ve always thought techbro was a mildly insulting caricature of a certain type of Silicon Valley guy
Even if it’s only a “mildly insulting caricature”, it’s still a way to claim that certain people are unintelligent or unserious without actually presenting an argument.
Compare:
“A small handful of incredibly wealthy techbros”
“A small handful of incredibly wealthy people with similar backgrounds in technology, which could lead to biases X and Y”
The first of these feels like it’s trying to do the same thing as the second, without actually backing up its claim.
When I read the second, I feel like someone is trying to make me think. When I read the first, I feel like someone is trying to make me stop thinking.