4 ms·

I am not sure how you got a binary classification system out of my position. I was fairly sure I was saying that there isn't one.

DoreenMichele 8y ago
You listed 5 categories, 4 of which are defined in relation to the well known binary classification. Intersex and asexual are well understood variations of that classification system. In a nutshell, I'm saying your 5th scientific category of "make shit up" would be more accurate for a broader subset than your framing would tend to suggest. It's a little like the concept of Newtonian gravity, which was made obsolete by Einstein's Theory of Relativity, yet we still use mathematical formula based on that for calculations here on earth because it's sufficient to that scenario and less work. Theory of Relativity calculations matter for interplanetary travel. Using Newtonian formulae would get you very off course in a basically deadly fashion. For many situations, male and female are broadly sufficient mental models. Where they aren't, they can be actively harmful. But the fact that higher levels of accuracy are frequently not needed doesn't mean they are actually true anymore than using Newtonian math here on earth makes Newtonian physics not obsolete in a post Einstein world.
- starbeast 8y ago
  >In a nutshell, I'm saying your 5th scientific category of "make shit up" would be more accurate for a broader subset than your framing would tend to suggest. I get you, I think I may have put my point across fairly badly in that case.
  - DoreenMichele 8y ago
    Eh, not a big deal. It's a topic full of landmines and communication challenges.
    - starbeast 8y ago
      The fun topics always are.
- dan00 8y ago
  > For many situations, male and female are broadly sufficient mental models. Where they aren't, they can be actively harmful. But the fact that higher levels of accuracy are frequently not needed doesn't mean they are actually true anymore than using Newtonian math here on earth makes Newtonian physics not obsolete in a post Einstein world. I would like to add that you just can't live in a complex world without the broader models. Trying to use the accurate models for every case would be just overwhelming. Sure, everyone likes to bitch about other people using the broader model for their own pet peeves, but this doesn't mean that they aren't - and have to be - ignorant in other cases.

DoreenMichele 8y ago

You listed 5 categories, 4 of which are defined in relation to the well known binary classification. Intersex and asexual are well understood variations of that classification system. In a nutshell, I'm saying your 5th scientific category of "make shit up" would be more accurate for a broader subset than your framing would tend to suggest. It's a little like the concept of Newtonian gravity, which was made obsolete by Einstein's Theory of Relativity, yet we still use mathematical formula based on that for calculations here on earth because it's sufficient to that scenario and less work. Theory of Relativity calculations matter for interplanetary travel. Using Newtonian formulae would get you very off course in a basically deadly fashion. For many situations, male and female are broadly sufficient mental models. Where they aren't, they can be actively harmful. But the fact that higher levels of accuracy are frequently not needed doesn't mean they are actually true anymore than using Newtonian math here on earth makes Newtonian physics not obsolete in a post Einstein world.

starbeast 8y ago
>In a nutshell, I'm saying your 5th scientific category of "make shit up" would be more accurate for a broader subset than your framing would tend to suggest. I get you, I think I may have put my point across fairly badly in that case.
- DoreenMichele 8y ago
  Eh, not a big deal. It's a topic full of landmines and communication challenges.
  - starbeast 8y ago
    The fun topics always are.
dan00 8y ago
> For many situations, male and female are broadly sufficient mental models. Where they aren't, they can be actively harmful. But the fact that higher levels of accuracy are frequently not needed doesn't mean they are actually true anymore than using Newtonian math here on earth makes Newtonian physics not obsolete in a post Einstein world. I would like to add that you just can't live in a complex world without the broader models. Trying to use the accurate models for every case would be just overwhelming. Sure, everyone likes to bitch about other people using the broader model for their own pet peeves, but this doesn't mean that they aren't - and have to be - ignorant in other cases.