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Should we be labeling children (or anyone) as "binge drinkers", and taking action, based on probabilities? I know the label is "likely binge drinker", but that
by hackuser 12y ago
Should we be labeling children (or anyone) as "binge drinkers", and taking action, based on probabilities?
I know the label is "likely binge drinker", but that's not much better and few will bother with the fine distinction. Will school authorities be biased against them, consciously or not (will they make the team? be trusted by the teacher? promoted to fast track?). Will they get jobs? Will law enforcement be biased against them? Their own parents? How will their classmates react? Will they have a social life on Saturday night? Will you let them date your son/daughter?
Worse, the object of the label, especially without a very strong sense of him/herself, certainly will not benefit from the label of, effectively, "genetically determined loser".
- anigbrowl 12y agoI was immediately reminded of GATTACA, which looks more prescient by the day.
- watwut 12y agoIn all likelihood, they will be the ones to be punished if hidden alcohol is found, whether they drunk it or not. Everyone will assume it was them. I would also guess that they will be punished more severely then other kids for the same transgression.
- prawn 12y agoEven if you believe we have free will, algorithms might decide to steer your course anyway. Bit frightening!