3 ms·

In Defense of Merit

16 points by peanutcrisis 3y ago

Spivak 3y ago
> postmodern worldview that purports that reality is subjective and can only be understood through a scientist’s "lived experience," which in turn depends on gender, ethnicity, and other immutable characteristics. This ideology is enforced by "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI) officers and bureaucracies, which have become entrenched throughout academia. It's really easy to argue against a thing that nobody actually believes. #1 Boys aren't from Mars, girls aren't from Venus. Averaged over entire fields and over time disparity in representation of shit that doesn't matter to the job -- race, gender, sexual orientation is indicative of systemic imbalances. "But girls don't choose to go into <blah>." Yes that's the problem. "You don't see people arguing for equality in trash collectors." I am, as well as men in nursing. "Sexual orientation has nothing to do with science." Correct, which is why it's surprising that certain sexual orientations are underrepresented. "Not choosing the best candidate for a position because of diversity quotas is *-ist." Correct, which is why the game is to train up people of underrepresented backgrounds and recruit from more diverse pools. #2 Diversity in lived experience leads to better outcomes both on the small scale of teams and departments but also across whole fields. "So political views too, right?" Yes. "And what about majority populations?" Yes, it's not a win when departments have no white people or no men. Stop reading rage bait on the internet.
- neotrope 3y ago
  > It's really easy to argue against a thing that nobody actually believes. Are you sure nobody believes critical theory?
  - Spivak 3y ago
    Everything I just said is in line with critical theory. I really gotta find the wikipedia author and buy them a beer for exactly the quote I need. > The term critical theory is often appropriated when an author works in sociological terms, yet attacks the social or human sciences, thus attempting to remain "outside" those frames of inquiry. Identity and lived experience matters to the subjective experience of science, not the objective one. The OP also makes this mistake and gets into a huff about it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory
    - the_third_wave 3y ago
      Wikipedia is not a reliable source for ideologically contentious subjects like Critical Theory. Here another article on the subject of Critical Theory, this one viewing the subject from the other side of the ideological isle: https://newdiscourses.com/tftw-critical-theory/ https://newdiscourses.com/tftw-critical-theory/ Read both, follow references where desired and draw your own conclusions, this time from a wider perspective than the rather lopsided treatment this Wikipedia article gives the subject. Don't forget to read the comments on the New Discourses article (which are critical of what is written there) and the Talk and History pages on Wikipedia.

16 points by peanutcrisis 3y ago

> postmodern worldview that purports that reality is subjective and can only be understood through a scientist’s "lived experience," which in turn depends on gender, ethnicity, and other immutable characteristics. This ideology is enforced by "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI) officers and bureaucracies, which have become entrenched throughout academia. It's really easy to argue against a thing that nobody actually believes. #1 Boys aren't from Mars, girls aren't from Venus. Averaged over entire fields and over time disparity in representation of shit that doesn't matter to the job -- race, gender, sexual orientation is indicative of systemic imbalances. "But girls don't choose to go into <blah>." Yes that's the problem. "You don't see people arguing for equality in trash collectors." I am, as well as men in nursing. "Sexual orientation has nothing to do with science." Correct, which is why it's surprising that certain sexual orientations are underrepresented. "Not choosing the best candidate for a position because of diversity quotas is *-ist." Correct, which is why the game is to train up people of underrepresented backgrounds and recruit from more diverse pools. #2 Diversity in lived experience leads to better outcomes both on the small scale of teams and departments but also across whole fields. "So political views too, right?" Yes. "And what about majority populations?" Yes, it's not a win when departments have no white people or no men. Stop reading rage bait on the internet.

neotrope 3y ago
> It's really easy to argue against a thing that nobody actually believes. Are you sure nobody believes critical theory?
- Spivak 3y ago
  Everything I just said is in line with critical theory. I really gotta find the wikipedia author and buy them a beer for exactly the quote I need. > The term critical theory is often appropriated when an author works in sociological terms, yet attacks the social or human sciences, thus attempting to remain "outside" those frames of inquiry. Identity and lived experience matters to the subjective experience of science, not the objective one. The OP also makes this mistake and gets into a huff about it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_theory
  - the_third_wave 3y ago
    Wikipedia is not a reliable source for ideologically contentious subjects like Critical Theory. Here another article on the subject of Critical Theory, this one viewing the subject from the other side of the ideological isle: https://newdiscourses.com/tftw-critical-theory/ https://newdiscourses.com/tftw-critical-theory/ Read both, follow references where desired and draw your own conclusions, this time from a wider perspective than the rather lopsided treatment this Wikipedia article gives the subject. Don't forget to read the comments on the New Discourses article (which are critical of what is written there) and the Talk and History pages on Wikipedia.