Comments on: Heroes of the Future: Contrasting Contexts, The Race Thing, and Science Education https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/ Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:17:01 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.6 By: Greg Laden https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531170 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:17:01 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531170 Samia: Thanks for asking. I am totally guilty of making more than the average number of veiled references that only a few people would understand through no fault of their own. One had to be in the room at the time to get my reference. Interestingly enough, I’ve been raked over at least one pile of luke warm coals for this reference. Which I ignored. But you are asking me to explain so I will be happy to!

Anyone in the room at the time, feel free to chime in and disagree or elaborate.

A number of questions were asked about human evolution in relation to the usual issues people tend to bring up, and the inevitable concern was raised that certain people (poor and dark skinned) are reproducing at a much higher rate than certain other people (well educated white people) and that this was going to ruin human evolution. In my experience in this sort of forum (which is vast, IIMSSM) this is a white male asking the question 85% of the time. This time it was an Asian female, for a change (I believe this person would self identify as East or Southeast Asian). Her ethnicity is not really important, but there was an irony given the nature of the Twin Cities, recent immigration, TC-specific racism issues, etc. etc. An irony tuned further by the exact neighborhood we were in (it’s complicated).

(The average third generation Nordic Saint Paulite is rather concerned, or so they tell me, about the rabbit-like breeding habits of the most recent southeast Asian immigrant population.)

]]> By: Samia https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531169 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:26:00 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531169 Interesting post, but I’m a bit confused. “Whitish Asian person?”

]]> By: Science Avenger https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531168 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:06:38 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531168 I noticed the Cafeteria Effect at an employer’s cafeteria 20 years ago and have made a point to observe racial groupings over the years. My casual observations are that the racial divisions are lessoning fairly rapidly, mostly due to the aging of the racists than anything else, but still good news. Racially diverse groups are fairly common, especially in bars, where not 10 years ago (I’m in Texas) it would have been rare.

I’ve also found a consistent, glaring exception to the racial cafeteria effect, at least in the corporate world: the computer guys. It got to be a joke when I consulted to walk into the cafeteria of the larger clients, saunter up to the first racially mixed table and play psychic by asking them about their software. 9 times out of 10 I’d hit bewildered paydirt.

]]> By: C Kruger https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531167 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:14:59 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531167 “. . . you will also find plain old American Citizens who’s parents perhaps are middle or working class.”

I think it is “whose” and not “who’s.” “Who’s” is a contraction for who is, while “whose” is possessive. Just thought you might like to know that-hope I don’t offend.

]]> By: daveN https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531166 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:41:06 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531166 Swish, why does being a member of “Hispanic pride” vs. “white pride” mean anything in this context? Who cares?

And SZ is right that you do not get P.D. At all.

]]> By: Stephanie Z https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531165 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:36:37 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531165 Swish, that characterization of The Prisoner’s Dilemma doesn’t make much sense. I suggest looking at the research again.

]]> By: Swish https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531164 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:36:21 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531164 Over the next four years…some maturing occured amongst the student. The cafeteria effect didn’t disappear.

How do you know my deme? I am a member of a hispanic pride group.

Thanks for answering none of my questions.

]]> By: Greg Laden https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531163 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:28:47 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531163 We were thrown together …no introductions…go at it kids…that is what I mean by hasty.

But then what happened over the next, say, four years?

Swish: You are doing a very good job at supplying the other piece of the puzzle when we see “white pride” groups who claim to not be racist. And dangerous. Appreciate that.

]]> By: Kevembuangga https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531162 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:13:05 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531162 Greg I would be vaguely interested to know how much time and effort you spend every day telling other people what to do.

A poor attempt at Stratagem VIII?
I am surprised you didn’t use the standard racist epithet, is it already that worn out?
In any case “La, la, la, can’t hear you” is an excellent strategy, a sure win, but we know which kind of people use that…

]]> By: Swish https://gregladen.com/blog/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531161 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:38:41 +0000 http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2009/02/16/heroes-of-the-future-contrasti/#comment-531161 We were thrown together …no introductions…go at it kids…that is what I mean by hasty.

Stephanie…from what I remember resources levels aren’t included as a variable in the prisoner’s dilemma and that is central selfish ideals. Cooperating with everyone when there are little resources left is stupid.

…and that applies to your comment Mr. Laden. Yes the problem can be fixed….give us Homo sapiens an unlimited supply of resources….all is well.

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