They weren't just asking China to be more humane, though. They were suggesting that China doesn't deserve our cooperation because they are inhumane, which implies we have the moral high ground and is explicitly hypocritical. It isn't whataboutism to point out hypocrisy.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

There's a lot of assuming, implying, and suggesting in that take. The original just said if they were more humane we would work with them.

[–] Schmoo@slrpnk.net 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

You don't at all see how that implies moral superiority? Or are you just giving them the benefit of the doubt?

The problem is holding China to a higher standard than we hold ourselves to.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I mean I could see how you could get that but it's not how I read it. I read it as they are not humane enough to effectively collaborate with.

I mean, listen, America is a huge hypocrisy so I'm not saying people aren't doing that, I guess I just read it more literally.

[–] Schmoo@slrpnk.net 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

It's a bad take either way, and that interpretation makes way less sense. The reason we don't collaborate with China is geopolitical, and has nothing to do with ethics or China being too inhumane to effectively collaborate with (whatever that means).

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago

I mean, I'm aware of the actual reason, I've never argued that lol.

[–] drosophila@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 4 days ago

China could stand to be more humane, but it wouldn't make the US cooperate with them.

[–] gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

Honestly China might start looking moderate compared to what I expect our new Dear Leader to do in the coming years.

[–] raspberriesareyummy@lemmy.world 0 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Try to read up and understand what whataboutism means. Because you clearly didn't get the point of my comment.

[–] Lightor@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

You brought up other societies as compared them to us. It's the definition of what-aboutism, just read up on it again to make sure.