www.slate.com/.../
In a nutshell
"Anthropometric measurements of large populations show that systematic differences exist among blacks, whites and Asians. The published evidence is massive: blacks have longer limbs than whites, and because blacks have longer legs and smaller circumferences (e.g. calves and arms), their center of mass is higher than that in other individuals of the same height. Asians and whites have longer torsos, therefore their centers of mass are lower.
These structural differences, they argue, generate differences in performance. Using equations about the physics of locomotion, they analyze racing as a process of falling forward. Based on this analysis, they conclude that having a higher center of body mass in a standing position is advantageous in running but disadvantageous in swimming."
I am feeling like this discussion belongs in the same place as the one about Immigration in Arizona--taken down by the moderators. Should we even get in to the discussion about how "science" is as socially constructed as any other discipline and is impacted by the thinking of the time, etc.?
Enough already.
The problem is not in the discussion, it is in the uncivilized reactions from a minority. Reactions from people who either don't understand the topic well or who are trying to prove their "I'm not racist"ness. In the case of Lefty, probably a little of both.
Your comment on science being socially constructed is interesting. You were probably trying to make the point that we shouldn't believe everything science says. Has it occurred to you that you might, in fact, be doing exactly what you are criticizing? Discounting a scientific finding based on your social consciousness? Science in its purest form looks at facts, uses statistical methods to determine the significance of findings, and disregards the fact that the results may upset someone.
If a study shows black children to be at lower risk for urinary tract infections (kids in the same population by the way), should this information be kept in a vault so as not to piss off the Lefties in this world? Should we never mention the higher melanoma risk to caucasians? I'm not even sure what is being argued here anymore. This is like discussing whether the earth is round or flat.
I am feeling like this discussion belongs in the same place as the one about Immigration in Arizona--taken down by the moderators. Should we even get in to the discussion about how "science" is as socially constructed as any other discipline and is impacted by the thinking of the time, etc.?
Enough already.
The problem is not in the discussion, it is in the uncivilized reactions from a minority. Reactions from people who either don't understand the topic well or who are trying to prove their "I'm not racist"ness. In the case of Lefty, probably a little of both.
Your comment on science being socially constructed is interesting. You were probably trying to make the point that we shouldn't believe everything science says. Has it occurred to you that you might, in fact, be doing exactly what you are criticizing? Discounting a scientific finding based on your social consciousness? Science in its purest form looks at facts, uses statistical methods to determine the significance of findings, and disregards the fact that the results may upset someone.
If a study shows black children to be at lower risk for urinary tract infections (kids in the same population by the way), should this information be kept in a vault so as not to piss off the Lefties in this world? Should we never mention the higher melanoma risk to caucasians? I'm not even sure what is being argued here anymore. This is like discussing whether the earth is round or flat.
