Assignment for Thursday, Nov. 2
So we'll re-read, with great care, 110-127. I learned from our discussion today, and I am grateful to you all for that. There is no simple solution to these things. (As in the example: If I insist on "Dr. Campolo," I help prop up several forms of harmful power, and I benefit from them. If I insist on "Chris," I help prop up several forms of harmful power, and I benefit from them.) If in some ways our "domains" are so intertwined that any move in mine shapes the possible moves in yours, and vice versa, then we may constantly be fighting for what we each think of as the domain-respect due us. (I think that that was Anna's point.) And if that's possible, then it may be that there is a constant anger, often submerged, but always there, and justified. I got nothing for that. I very strongly feel the pull of the idea that I can ultimately only reduce the pain I cause by going away. Even such a (wholesome) separatism is an...
I'm interested more in the reaction to this scientific study being conducted than the data itself. The study itself is harmless and done using mathematical algorithms and therefore the only bias that could exist is in the delivery of the information which seemed to have been done with no clear agenda. I can totally see how a study like this could raise ire in the LGBTQ community who have to fight off bigoted bullshit constantly I'm sure. The immediate dismissal of something like this though does not do the LGBTQ community any favors; while it seems like this study's usefulness in the progress of society is limited or non-existent, dismissal of science is not a good look for anyone. Still, the intentions of the people who decided to gather this data are definitely not clear despite what they say. Perhaps this was done to intentionally poke at a sensitive topic that affects lots of people.
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