The New And Improved Off Topic Thread

[gregbodkin]

Yes, I apologize for getting the thread off track I should have private messaged SJU85.

When do our threads NOT go off the rails???

 

[logen]

Stereotypes sometimes get an overly bad rap.

Yet the fact that stereotypes are often harmful does not mean that they are merely processing failures—bugs in our software. The fact that stereotypes are often harmful also does not mean that they are often inaccurate. In fact, quite shockingly to many, that prevailing twofold sentiment, which sees stereotypical thinking as faulty cognition and stereotypes themselves as patently inaccurate, is itself wrong on both counts.

This is because the ability to stereotype is often essential for efficient decision-making, which facilitates survival. As Yale psychologist Paul Bloom has noted, “You don’t ask a toddler for directions, you don’t ask a very old person to help you move a sofa, and that’s because you stereotype.”

Second, contrary to popular sentiment, stereotypes are usually accurate. (Not always, to be sure. And some false stereotypes are purposefully promoted in order to cause harm).

Those are not stereotypes at all IMO, but rather the use of cognitive reasoning to come to a well thought out logical decision.

 

[NCJohnnie]

Those are not stereotypes at all IMO, but rather the use of cognitive reasoning to come to a well thought out logical decision.

Exactly, saying it's a stereotype not to ask a toddler for directions is little different than saying it's a stereotype not to ask a dog for directions because neither of them are capable of giving directions. What would be a stereotype is saying you shouldn't ask an Irishman for directions because he's probably drunk or a southerner for directions because he'll take an hour to get the directions out and tell you much more than you need to know or a New Yorker for directions because he'll ask you why you need to know in the first place lol.
All of these stereotypes may be based on a kernel of historical truth but are hardly accurate across the population.

 

[Joedib]

Those are not stereotypes at all IMO, but rather the use of cognitive reasoning to come to a well thought out logical decision.

Not when the basis is random and anecdotal---like I met this Uber driver and he said..., or I know a hotel guard who had trouble assimilating in a southern surban neighborhood..., and therefore......! Cognitive reasoning to come to a well thought out logical decision! Hardly, my friend.

 

[Joedib]

Stereotypes sometimes get an overly bad rap.

Yet the fact that stereotypes are often harmful does not mean that they are merely processing failures—bugs in our software. The fact that stereotypes are often harmful also does not mean that they are often inaccurate. In fact, quite shockingly to many, that prevailing twofold sentiment, which sees stereotypical thinking as faulty cognition and stereotypes themselves as patently inaccurate, is itself wrong on both counts.

This is because the ability to stereotype is often essential for efficient decision-making, which facilitates survival. As Yale psychologist Paul Bloom has noted, “You don’t ask a toddler for directions, you don’t ask a very old person to help you move a sofa, and that’s because you stereotype.”

Second, contrary to popular sentiment, stereotypes are usually accurate. (Not always, to be sure. And some false stereotypes are purposefully promoted in order to cause harm).

This is so endearingly funny. "Sterotypes are usually accurate" is the stated proposition. But the very definition of the word is an oversimplified, misleading, and inaccurate belief used to generalize characteristics and behaviors. Any businessman basing becisions on sterotypes will someday be a debtor in Bankruptcy Court. It is the antithesis of efficient decision making.

It is not a sterotype to refrain from asking toddlers for directions. It is not a sterotype to refrain from asking seniors to do heavy lifting. Nothing anecdotal about those propositions.