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MixedNuts comments on Open Thread, November 1-15, 2012 - Less Wrong
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Where should one ask unusual questions that can't easily be looked up because they require broad domain knowledge? In particular, how does one identify knowledgeable people who may be willing to answer?
Current such question: Are there any cultures where hand spinning is widespread and not strongly gendered female?
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Some university websites list members of staff who will answer questions from the press about their field. Those researchers might be receptive to questions from the public too.
(Also, reference desk librarians probably can't answer most questions with their own knowledge, but might point you to people or sources that can.)
Hand spinning? As in weaving? India comes to mind with Mohandas Ghandi advocating and practicing hand spinning himself, although I don't know if the whole Indian culture has textiles being strongly gendered.
He was advocating Indians spinning and weaving themselves rather than exporting to England who would import it back making ridiculous profits.
I can't find many mentions of spinning in Indian culture, though those that do involve women, such as mentions of women spinning while men are away. Spinning with a spindle is listed among important arts, though I don't know how significant that is and why specifically a spindle when India has had spinning wheels since forever.
In practice all genders weave, which doesn't mean there isn't gendered symbolism.