wedrifid comments on Undiscriminating Skepticism - Less Wrong

97 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 14 March 2010 11:23PM

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Comment author: wedrifid 27 September 2011 02:25:42AM *  5 points [-]

And what scientific theories are these categories part of?

I really don't think science has much to do with the bulk (or strength) of objections you will get on this subject. You're doing yourself no good by continuing to argue about it. Even the terrible arguments made against you will receive positive support by virtue of being sandwitched between two of yours - reading need not be involved.

It is probably better to make the ethnic-group references a bit more specific than a two category split. It is fairly clear what 'black/white' labels refer to in countries with two clear dominant ethnic groups of appropriate melanin levels but less useful if trying for a worldwide reference. Then the references become more ambiguous. I suggest making your stand somewhere a bit more secure than the 'black' word. Your main point is a bit deeper than that.

Comment author: brazil84 27 September 2011 11:06:43AM -1 points [-]

I really don't think science has much to do with the bulk (or strength) of objections you will get on this subject.

I agree. The problem is that people see "racism" as evil, hurtful, low status, etc. Just like they viewed atheism that way a few hundred years ago. Which is kinda the point.

Comment author: wedrifid 27 September 2011 03:13:52PM 4 points [-]

I wish to explicitly distance myself from the analogy you use. The implications are not desirable (and in a way that is not quite accurate either).