Don't Hate on the Racists

[The_Q]

Guru is right, and we all knew it. Also, I have to explain another thing to you. It's how statistics lie.

Unemployment is good. Isn't it what we strive for? Retirement. Yeah, and most retirees stay in the workforce for extra cash or something to do (and they can be technically counted as unemployed still). That is a statistical error. The people who lose their jobs have 4 choices. 1) sit around a gripe. 2)Retire(if they have the money). 3)Find a new better job. 4)Start their own business (again, not a favorite due to money). Some of the people sit around and gripe. That's why you hear a lot about it.

I did know what you meant by being taxed. It still doesn't make sense. What do we lose? Even if you do lose business, on net the world gets richer due to principles of economic efficiency.

Is the problem with the homeless population a lack of houses? I think not. If people offer to pay for houses, houses will be built. The thing is that homelessness is somehow just as appealing as having a mansion. If being homeless was more appealing, everyone would be homeless. The fact that everything is equally appealing also factors into this. If consumers and employers didn't want cheap labor that was from somewhere else, they'd all hire Americans. But they prefer lowering costs to PRODUCE MORE GOODS FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO USE AND LOWER THE PRICE OF THE GOODS THEMSELVES. The old workers still benefit from their loss. I benefit from their loss.

Oh, and I'm half Mexican. My mom was born in Puerto Rico. My dad is white. My entire family grew up in different parts of the States. (My mom is the Mexican , by the way. By blood, at least)


EDIT: POST 100! BOO YAH

[virus-maker]

He was upset because society uses age as a stereotype in the form of legal ages to do things. Why do we use age as a stereotype? Because it's a good measure of responsibility in youth. Twenty-one year olds are going to be more responsible than eleven year olds when it comes to alcohol, etc. It's ridiculous to not be able to make generalizations about the majority of a group because not every single member of the group is like that.

Stereotyping about age is very different then stereotyping about race. There are huge differences between an 11 year-old and a 21 year-old, for one, an 11 year old is much less mature and experienced then a 21 year old, that is why a 21 year old can drive, drink alcohol, etc. But what is the difference between different races? The only thing different is the way they look. So how can you form a stereotype just by the way people look? So your age stereotype analogy doesnt work very well.

[Moogy]

...

[The_Q]

It's also proven that certain races to have certain advantages over others, physically. Blacks are black to reduce sunburn and their hair is curlier to let more heat out. Scandanavians have straight hair to keep more heat in. It's evolution happening before our eyes. Certain features in certain races do allow them to cope better in certain situations. So there is more to it than how they look.

I think one of the main reasons people stereotype is the simple fact that their culture was not as advanced as the European culture that discovered it. (Let's face it, all the history we're taught is written in relation to or by Europeans or their decendants) This is unfortunate, and because of it, I suffer. We all expect the people from that culture to remain developing at the same rate. This would also count for intelligence. It's the basis of affirmative action and every other stereotype based policy.

Oh, and Affirmative Action is not bad for blacks, it's bad for whites. Dumping a good education on somebody is not something to complain about. Having and education taken from you is. It's like if the Japanese dumped a Lexus on everyone in the US. Would it hurt consumers? No, it'd just give them all a Lexus. Being denied the Lexus because you already have a better chance of getting one due to your race DOES hurt some consumers.

Q

[LEGO]

Wtf, why oh why did I ever click on this thread?

I wish I could rewind to 3 minutes ago; this topic is crap.

[GuidoHunter]

He was upset because society uses age as a stereotype in the form of legal ages to do things. Why do we use age as a stereotype? Because it's a good measure of responsibility in youth. Twenty-one year olds are going to be more responsible than eleven year olds when it comes to alcohol, etc. It's ridiculous to not be able to make generalizations about the majority of a group because not every single member of the group is like that.

Stereotyping about age is very different then stereotyping about race. There are huge differences between an 11 year-old and a 21 year-old, for one, an 11 year old is much less mature and experienced then a 21 year old, that is why a 21 year old can drive, drink alcohol, etc. But what is the difference between different races? The only thing different is the way they look. So how can you form a stereotype just by the way people look? So your age stereotype analogy doesnt work very well.

I wasn't suggesting that there were any differences between the races. I was simply pointing out a case in which stereotyping works for a purpose. Stereotyping based on race doesn't necessarily suggest that one group is more adept or anything. Such as with my social example, stereotyping allows me to avoid potentially uncomfortable situations.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[virus-maker]

ok then thats not stereotyping against race, that is just stereotyping against people who dress like "thugs" or white people wearing a confederate shirt or whatever.

[The_Q]

That's what he's been saying from the beginning. I never really addressed it because I thought you would have realized that too.

But again, the potentially uncomfortable situation is a small cost of getting to know someone who you could benefit from.

To work in another rule of economics: It's good to be different. Those who trade with you will cherish things worthless to you and easily give up things that you will cherish. Same goes with knowing people.

Q

[alextrebek]

What Moogy said.

Also, I'd just like to say that there's one significant difference between races: THE COLOR OF THEIR FUCKING SKIN, WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NO BEARING ON ANYTHING IMPORTANT AT ALL.

How one acts is the only way that one should stereotype.

[DarkReverend]

Guido,
I would have never wanted to admit it before, but you made an excellent argument to stereotype.
Sadly it is true that the example of certain groups tending to act or appear certain ways is how one would expect them to be. This is an acceptable assumption espcially because humans are so self concious of how they exude themselves that if you don't want someone to view you as one way you wouldn't lead them astray. For example if you were a video game lover and tree hugging hippy no one would find you at let's say.... The Naval Academy or something crazy like that. Again, your stubborn ways prove to be somehow justified. BTW how are the pants?

D.C.

[The_Q]

Most of his arguement is based solely on the fact that first impressions matter. How you act on those first impressions can be wise and often makes sense. The fact that he acts on what I consider negativly is my only objection.

In general, he's right. First impressions do matter. I just disagree on how we act upon them.

Thanks for a good rigorous discussion, Guido. It was fun.

Q

[ramonesfan]

White people can be African-American, yes it's true. Why do you call them African-American, when everyone calls caucasions "White"? That's what I am wondering.

You're absolutely right, if any of yall have heard of barenaked ladies (the band) well you might be surprised to know the lead singer is from south africa (yes, i know south africa is mainly white but you get the point)

[The_Q]

It's also true that white settled South Africa before Blacks. The Zulu didn't get down there for a couple decades after the cities were starting sprawl.

Q

[thisisnotporn]

Wow, Guido I have to say you are an idiot, your dubbing people simply based on their skin color, which is wrong, I am not sticking up for the people that rip on white people or rip on any other color at all. See the african americans are not all "Yo dawg what be crackin?" The only reson why they are thuged up and listening to rap is becuase that is part of their culture (not all though) So if you want to be dubbed a flaming loser be one becuase I already have. Oh I also say you suck my nuts.

[DracIV]

Wow, Guido I have to say you are an idiot, your dubbing people simply based on their skin color, which is wrong,...

But why is it wrong? This is critical thinking after all, and when discussing a major point in this thread you need to elaborate.

The only reson why they are thuged up and listening to rap is becuase that is part of their culture (not all though)

Isn't that exaclty what stereotyping is- recognizing that these people look or sound like they fit in a specific group and you mentally put them in that group? It's part of their culture, so you say, so doesn't that mean that only people like them would fit that stereotypical group and that it is a major enough part of their culture that you can recognize members on sight?