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I don't completely understand why so many comments to this article are discussing "RBF" as an objectively real phenomenon. As I read it, the article seems to i

I don't completely understand why so many comments to this article are discussing "RBF" as an objectively real phenomenon. As I read it, the article seems to imply that completely neutral expressions are simply perceived as negative by people who have become conditioned to subconsciously react to neutral stimuli as being negative or hostile. I'd argue that plenty of people face logically unjustified prejudice based on their physical appearance for lots of reasons. Do we want to live in a society where people change their eyebrows because it cause others with subconscious prejudices to judge them negatively? How is this different from arguments about, say, skin color?

wenc 9y ago
The article does not address RBF specifically but speaks to perceivers' perspectives being colored by their upbringing. Most comments here are not directed at the article but at other comments. Also, there seems to be some evidence that RBF is an observable phenomenon [1]. Empirically I have experienced it both as a perceiver and one who is afflicted. Psychologically, most humans have a System 1 (fast and subconscious) way of perceiving things, and it's very hard to change that through mass awareness and such. System 1 is based on mental schemas which cumulate over life. There are of course "enlightened" people who would slow down their thoughts and engage their System 2 (slow conscious thought) in order to overcome prejudice, but the vast majority of people are not enlightened. And unlike race and skin color, it's very hard to start a conversation in society to combat prejudice against people with RBF because it's subtle, non-systemic, and the severity of its effects are fairly submerged and hidden. It's also not strictly speaking a debilitating condition, although there is some social cost. I think it's easier for people who are afflicted to try to moderate the effects that their face has on other people's perceptions. It takes some (non-onerous) effort but such efforts do improve their life appreciably. I would not liken it to prejudice against skin color at all. Just because the two seem to have some things in common doesn't mean they have all things in common. [1] https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/resting-bitch-face-is-real_us_56b2d1e0e4b04f9b57d87c44 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/resting-bitch-face-is-r...
YeGoblynQueenne 8y ago
>> I don't completely understand why so many comments to this article are discussing "RBF" as an objectively real phenomenon. Uh, I think the correct acronym is "BRF", as in "Bitchy Resting Face". "RBF" is for "Radial Basis Function", or "Rich Boy Friend", depending on where you're coming from. Of course, since I realised the connection I've never been able to stop reading "RBF kernel" as the "Rich Boy Friend kernel".

wenc 9y ago

The article does not address RBF specifically but speaks to perceivers' perspectives being colored by their upbringing. Most comments here are not directed at the article but at other comments. Also, there seems to be some evidence that RBF is an observable phenomenon [1]. Empirically I have experienced it both as a perceiver and one who is afflicted. Psychologically, most humans have a System 1 (fast and subconscious) way of perceiving things, and it's very hard to change that through mass awareness and such. System 1 is based on mental schemas which cumulate over life. There are of course "enlightened" people who would slow down their thoughts and engage their System 2 (slow conscious thought) in order to overcome prejudice, but the vast majority of people are not enlightened. And unlike race and skin color, it's very hard to start a conversation in society to combat prejudice against people with RBF because it's subtle, non-systemic, and the severity of its effects are fairly submerged and hidden. It's also not strictly speaking a debilitating condition, although there is some social cost. I think it's easier for people who are afflicted to try to moderate the effects that their face has on other people's perceptions. It takes some (non-onerous) effort but such efforts do improve their life appreciably. I would not liken it to prejudice against skin color at all. Just because the two seem to have some things in common doesn't mean they have all things in common. [1] https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/resting-bitch-face-is-real_us_56b2d1e0e4b04f9b57d87c44 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/resting-bitch-face-is-r...

YeGoblynQueenne 8y ago

>> I don't completely understand why so many comments to this article are discussing "RBF" as an objectively real phenomenon. Uh, I think the correct acronym is "BRF", as in "Bitchy Resting Face". "RBF" is for "Radial Basis Function", or "Rich Boy Friend", depending on where you're coming from. Of course, since I realised the connection I've never been able to stop reading "RBF kernel" as the "Rich Boy Friend kernel".