I agree with you on that, and that is unfortunate.
I do suspect the degree to which the people perceives that the "PC-police" controls everything is overblown.
I'm using a less-than-anonymous handle here, and I've just expressed support of Summers' right to present his data. I've also expressed open-mindedness (though not acceptance) towards the idea that genetically determined behavioral differences could conceivably exist.
I've got sufficient faith in the system that it won't punish me for open-mindedness to un-PC ideas. If I thought that what happened to Summers was a really common thing, I'd be using an anon handle to even discuss reactionary thought.
Would you say my trust is poorly placed?
I've also expressed open-mindedness (though not acceptance) towards the idea that genetically determined behavioral differences could conceivably exist.
That amounts to "human group differences are not ruled out a priori", which is an incredibly low bar. Even SJ Gould, who was enough of a PC policeman to falsify claims of bias against a 19th century biologist who examined cranial capacity, admitted that "equality is not an a priori truth".
...If I thought that what happened to Summers was a really common thing, I'd be using an anon hand
People want to tell everything instead of telling the best 15 words. They want to learn everything instead of the best 15 words. In this thread, instead post the best 15-words from a book you've read recently (or anything else). It has to stand on its own. It's not a summary, the whole value needs to be contained in those words.
I'll start in the comments below.
(Voted by the Schelling study group as the best exercise of the meeting.)