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I think this is a well written post on a sensitive issue. But, I am still unable to see how a stereotype can be 'good', perhaps other than to simplify an otherwise complex situation. It is precisely this desire to simplify things that often made us adopt a narrow view towards others, thereby bringing us back to the point of making a 'bad' stereotype. It may thus be easier not to stereotype anyone in the first place and to know each individual as a unique person.
posted by
Amateur
on May 6, 2004 at 6:10 PM
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Edit, excellent analysis of the pros and cons of stereotyping!
Really enjoyed reading this one!
posted by
write4u
on May 6, 2004 at 5:21 AM
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I thought really hard on whether or not stereotypes can be good. It guess it just depends on the individual the stereotype is refering too. For example, the stereotype that Asians are good at math may seem like a good stereotype, but it's actually quite offensive to many Asians. It makes it sound like Asians are good at math just because they're Asian. The stereotype doesn't acknowledge their values of an education and that many Asians study hard to become good at math, science, or other academics. So in the end, what may seem like a good stereotype is actually bad.
posted by
Shavonne
on May 5, 2004 at 3:24 PM
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Talion - I wasn't necessarily disagreeing with the post. I just couldn't think of any stereotypes that were used for good purposes. People tend to make assumptions about me all the time and, whether they're good or bad, most of them are wrong. I don't have any experience with stereotypes helping anyone. Kay-Ren's example is good, but I was referring more to people, as was the post.
posted by
JadedMind
on May 5, 2004 at 11:41 AM
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Very well written post on a challenging subject. I believe that the current trend of zealous "political correctness" is stifling free debate and genuine progress. I see the general trends you speak of in your blog. The problem is that some stereotypes are purposely perpetuated by powerful groups that want to keep a certain group down. Some stereotypes are helpful to simplify complicated situations. Others are just malacious.
posted by
aardvark
on May 5, 2004 at 10:39 AM
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JadedMind
The point Editormum is making is that we, as humans, jump to these dumb conclusions. We can't help it sometimes, we just do. Regardless of whether it's a "good" dumb conclusion or a "bad" dumb conclusion, it's only truly wrong when we fail to recognize what we are doing and we limit people our expectations. I've written a couple of posts on this subject myself. If you're interested, check out "Seeing Is Believeing, Isn't It?" for an example of the "bad" to a lesser degree and "Filling in the Blanks" for an example of it in a "good" way. (I would provide a direct link, but alas, I've yet to figure out how. Also this is not some ploy to garner cheap clicks.)
posted by
Talion
on May 5, 2004 at 8:30 AM
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It's cool that this article attempts to look at this issue from a different angle. It makes sense that stereotyping IS just generalizing. Add discrimination based upon a stereotype, not renting your house to someone because they have blue hair, is where the problem comes in.
Our minds work by placing things into catagories. Vegies, those are good for us they go in the kitch. Chocolate, that's bad for us but I crave it! If I leave it where the kids can get it they will snag it, it goes in my room.
Jaded, hmm good stereotypes. Sci-fi will make a reader think. It doesn't always but it usually does. Writers are weird. I'm weird and I'm damn proud of it!
posted by
Kay-Ren
on May 5, 2004 at 8:01 AM
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I'm confused
"If you use a stereotype to discriminate against someone...then you have used the stereotype wrongly."
For what other purpose do people use stereotypes? The whole point of stereotyping is to categorize and label people according to a certain train of thought. When is this used for good?
posted by
JadedMind
on May 5, 2004 at 7:37 AM
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