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I read that as acknowledging that it was personifying (or animalifying rather) the group, a group doesn't really have an intelligence level to go up or down, to
by OJFord 3y ago
I read that as acknowledging that it was personifying (or animalifying rather) the group, a group doesn't really have an intelligence level to go up or down, to get smarter, but we know what we mean by that so it's a useful shorthand, but hence the scare-quotes.
Not saying I'm necessarily right, just that was my interpretation before I saw your comment.
- ysavir 3y agoImagine if someone used those scare-quotes when talking about a group of humans. I don't know if they intended them as a form of personification, but it's surely unnecessary either way.