Moments of Permanence - Back to Patricia Wrede and the Thirteenth Child: You Haven't Read This Post!

From: sami Date: May 12th, 2009 04:33 am (UTC) (Link)

Indeed. I think my break point is when you're seeing generalised conclusions about ethnic or cultural groups based on data that isn't readily available - and by that I mean I want real data, because lying with statistics is trivially easy. (Statistics are valuable - you just need to look at them critically.) Or where the data is visible but the methodology is hidden. Jack that noise.

Obviously, as a Person of Pallor (well, I have a moderately ruddy complexion and a light tan, but you get the idea), it would be problematic for me to dismiss all things that are the product of White People - especially with that whole "historian" thing I have going. But critical thinking, I'm capable of it, you know?

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From: delfinnium Date: May 12th, 2009 04:40 am (UTC) (Link)

Considering that numbers that just say, Asians are 90% intolerant!!! I don't think that even counts as statistics. Methodology, it's very important. Sampling populations even more so.

(This is totes relevant. really)

It's not so much that I think we should dismiss it all - but the ability to look critically? yes.

I know that my own country's history is problematic - a country with only j40+ years of history? It wasn't UNPOPULATED before the British decided Singapore would make a good port of call. But there's precious little out there about it, even Malaysia only has official history to about 1950s. Which plainly, leaves much to be desired.

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