3 ms·

The simple answer is yes. You could make some elaborate post-modernist point about the impossibility of a value neutral perspective, and there is some merit to

The simple answer is yes. You could make some elaborate post-modernist point about the impossibility of a value neutral perspective, and there is some merit to such claims, but there are also clear mathematical criteria that can be used to asses the fairness of a voting/districting scheme. This is as unbiased of a criteria as one can establish for voting rights and districting (unless your idea of bias is simply, defined in terms of agreement with the prevailing political ideologies, in which case we open the door to all sorts of procedural abuse).

WarOnPrivacy 5y ago
> there are also clear mathematical criteria that can be used to asses the fairness of a voting/districting scheme I think this illustrates how bias thrives in generalities - with as little evidence as is necessary to advance the agenda. Deep examination of nuances leads to an organic, comprehensive understanding, one that is rocky soil for bias. As example: Ideological media relentlessly push preformed talking points to prevent viewers from contemplating an issue beyond the desired scope.
finite_jest 5y ago
I don't think the GP is asking whether it is possible to objectively assess the fairness of voting schemes. (Though of course that would be an interesting question) He is implying that their testimony would most likely be very biased politically. I think that is probably true, and you can see that by skimming through their Twitter accounts [1][2][3]. However, this does not justify the university intimidating them with legally dubious means. [4] [1]: https://nitter.fdn.fr/electionsmith https://nitter.fdn.fr/electionsmith [2]: https://nitter.fdn.fr/ElectProject https://nitter.fdn.fr/ElectProject [3]: https://nitter.fdn.fr/SharonFLUMC https://nitter.fdn.fr/SharonFLUMC [4]: I am tempted to say that the correct course of action would be to defund all social science departments (except perhaps economics), but that's politically unfeasible.

WarOnPrivacy 5y ago

> there are also clear mathematical criteria that can be used to asses the fairness of a voting/districting scheme I think this illustrates how bias thrives in generalities - with as little evidence as is necessary to advance the agenda. Deep examination of nuances leads to an organic, comprehensive understanding, one that is rocky soil for bias. As example: Ideological media relentlessly push preformed talking points to prevent viewers from contemplating an issue beyond the desired scope.

finite_jest 5y ago

I don't think the GP is asking whether it is possible to objectively assess the fairness of voting schemes. (Though of course that would be an interesting question) He is implying that their testimony would most likely be very biased politically. I think that is probably true, and you can see that by skimming through their Twitter accounts [1][2][3]. However, this does not justify the university intimidating them with legally dubious means. [4] [1]: https://nitter.fdn.fr/electionsmith https://nitter.fdn.fr/electionsmith [2]: https://nitter.fdn.fr/ElectProject https://nitter.fdn.fr/ElectProject [3]: https://nitter.fdn.fr/SharonFLUMC https://nitter.fdn.fr/SharonFLUMC [4]: I am tempted to say that the correct course of action would be to defund all social science departments (except perhaps economics), but that's politically unfeasible.