Comments

  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    That person would be a Chinese citizen of european descent/origin. They would not share the racial traits of a Chinese person, as these are genetic traits formed through generations of exposure to a specific geography/environment. (And of course, im using my definition of rape...basically yours but with hate/discrimination as an additional requisite.)
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?
    I would call you racist because you assume a group of people called “latinos” exist and that you hate themNOS4A2

    You did it again, that's exactly right. The “hate” part is what makes it racist. Simply recognising a group called “latinos” is not. The way you have defined race previously did not include the “hate” part, and that is what is causing the disagreement.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    I fell behind cuz Im working, but just wanted to add something since Creativesoul is making the same point I would be making. Creativesoul is making the correct argument but I think using the wrong example. “Asian” should be replaced by something more specific, like “Chinese”, then hopefully the impact of the argument will get the point accross. “asian” describes geography, the biology of “asian” peoples is too diverse for it to be a useful biological “race”. Chinese people have definite common, biological traits where using a term like “race” is useful.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?
    Asian is an adjective describing people from Asia. But no I do not believe there is a group of people called “Asians”.NOS4A2

    See you just referred to a group of people called asians and then denied there was a group of people called asians. That doesnt make sense.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    I answered already, its not the colour/shade of the skin its about the genetics that inform that physical trait. I use skin colour because its a very easy way to illustrate that there are clear physical differences when someone denies there are differences.
    The differences are clear, the distinctions might be less clear depending on the trait. You are right, there might be skin colours that dont indicate clearly a specific “race”, but thats exactly the point. You will be able to tell by the genetics, and other common traits to the group. Its not just skin colour.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Im not talking about scientific, biological entities of differing kinds of species, And thats not what people generally mean when they use the term “race”. Im not saying we have Morlocks and Eeloys.
    Its simply the term that references the differences amongst groups humans.
    There are two different senses of the word, you keep conflating them. There is a clear difference between skin colours and other physical features amongst certain groups of people, “race” is the word that describes them. (That is, its one of the uses of the word, the way Im using it).
  • Is life sacred, does it have intrinsic value?
    The capacity to value - select, interpret, relate to - and, thereby, to be valued for (e.g.) following fighting feeding fucking etc seems intrinsic to life itself180 Proof

    I would say those things are intrinsic to experience, not life, after all you can be alive and not conscious, or alive but braindead.
    Also, I had tried to draw a distinction between individual value and collective value. Most people value their own experiences or life, but some people have no value (or such little value we can easily live without them, like serial killers) to the rest of us. Its the latter Im curious about, in such contexts as people on death row or life support. I often hear people defending preserving life in those circumstances by saying things like “all life is sacred/worth preserving” or by otherwise attributing some intrinsic value separate from the actual merits of that life (again, in the case of a serial killer where their life brings only vast suffering to others).
  • Is life sacred, does it have intrinsic value?


    Sorry, Im not sure how to respond to most of that. Any chance you could tighten it up a bit? Its hard to tell where any of what you said relates to what yiu quoted. Im not trying to be a dick, even you mentioned word salad.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Its informed by genetics. Thats where those sorts of differences come from. Its not about the colour of skin per say, its about a genetic expression.
    Its no different than noticing red heads generally have freckles.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Its genetics, remember? There is an actual, genetic difference behind that skin colour.
    Anyway, you are being pretty evasive here and I understand your position to my satisfaction (and disagree obviously) so...thanks I guess.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    The difference in skin colour is an actual difference, isnt it? There are more differences than just that, but start there.
    Is that an actual difference?
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Ok, well there are physical traits common to people of those groups. More than just skin colour. People categorise these traits as “race”, and when they do so they aren’t implying a difference of species, or anything about anyone being inferior. They are just noticing actual differences, then applying a category for ease of reference. Whats the problem with that, other than a hateful person twisting it to suit their twisted views? They are going to do that anyway, why should we deny reality and pretend? That just doesnt seem like a useful way of doing it.
    You have yet to tell why you find it more useful.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Yes, its genetics. Genetics that we differentiate using the word “race”. What else would you call it? You are not going to call both people “genetics”. Right?
    Whats wring about racism is the discrimination part, the treating of people as lesser part, the one type of person is superior to another type of person part. Take those away, what is the problem with racism as you define it?
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Well that response ignores most of what we have discussed so far...its just a repetition of your premiss which Ive said I disagree with. Now im asking you to defend that premiss.
    Ill try one more time, from the start: there are clear physical differences between certain groups of people, such as those with “white” skin colour, and those with “black” skin colour. What word would you use to describe that difference, if not race?
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Well there isnt much utility in that, obviously, so im giving him the benefit of the doubt that there is more to it.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    I am going to repeat a post I made in case you missed it again. The conversation suddenly devolved and everyone else seems to have given up on discourse with you in this, but Im still interested in sorting this out with you. In particular, Id like to understand what utility you are getting out of defining racism that way. To me, the utility would have to be quite high to compensate for its flat denial of obvious facts about physical differences between some groups of humans. Also, I hope you arent taking my comments to be hostile. We disagree, and if Im wrong on my end Id like to hear why/how that's the case.
    So here is my last comment:

    “I do not think so. There are physical differences between certain groups of humans from different places/heritage. Of these physical differences, some generally correlate to skin colour (which is itself a physical difference). Examples might be hair colour (chinese generally are not born with blonde hair for example) or resistance to skin damage caused by sun exposure in the case of black people.
    Thats accurate, and to include that as “racism” is too call anyone capable of noticing plain reality a racist. Thats not a good thing, as now it becomes more difficult to sort out the bad actors from the good ones, which is the reason why my way of defining racism had more utility. It helps identify bad actors...yours doesnt.
    Obviously you are free to define it as you see fit, I just dont think it makes much sense.
    Can you answer my question about the utility your definition provides? Im happy to change my mind for a better way of looking at this issue.”
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    I do not think so. There are physical differences between certain groups of humans from different places/heritage. Of these physical differences, some generally correlate to skin colour (which is itself a physical difference). Examples might be hair colour (chinese generally are not born with blonde hair for example) or resistance to skin damage caused by sun exposure in the case of black people.
    Thats accurate, and to include that as “racism” is too call anyone capable of noticing plain reality a racist. Thats not a good thing, as now it becomes more difficult to sort out the bad actors from the good ones, which is the reason why my way of defining racism had more utility. It helps identify bad actors...yours doesnt.
    Obviously you are free to define it as you see fit, I just dont think it makes much sense.
    Can you answer my question about the utility your definition provides? Im happy to change my mind for a better way of looking at this issue.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    No it doesnt. The opposite actually, it specifies those idealogical underpinnings as necessary for racism. What im excluding is people who simply recognise there are differences between certain people from different places, which we categorise as “race”. Those people are not racist.
    Your definition doesnt have very good accuracy or utility, but maybe Im missing something. What good does defining racism in that way accomplish?
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?
    Oh no, I'm sorry for disturbing your delicate concentration.praxis

    Ill forgive you this time I guess. :wink:
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?
    It’s true that not all racists believe in race supremacy, or race nationalism or race segregation. I still don’t see any problem here.NOS4A2

    Thats only because you use the “wide net” definition of racism. I think believing in race superiority/inferiority IS what racism is. If you dont believe in racial inferiority/superiority, then there isnt a problem. Right?
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Mr. Soul is right, thats precisely the problem I see with defining racism that way. I understand your concern about such differences overshadowing other more important things but who else but a racist (in the sense of discrimination based on race) is going to do that? Right? We dont want to set up the definition of racism to include people who do not hold views about the superiority of one race over another just so we can include the people who DO have those beliefs. We do not need to, we can easily identify those types of people (”racists”) by their views about racial inferiority Etc. No need to cast such a wide net.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    I do not agree. I think you can notice differences without discriminating, the same way you can between individuals of all kinds. If I recognise a tall guy and a short guy are different, thats not a problem. If I then say “get the tall guy, inferior genes! Undeserving of human rights!” Or somesuch, then its a problem. “Tallism”.
    I think you can even recognise advantages and disadvantages and its fine. The tall guy is better at getting stuff from high shelves. Doesnt mean the short guy is lesser, just different. The problem is racists who use that type of distinction to draw Their racist conclusions but we shouldnt concede the language to them.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Ya, I noticed 2 was the odd man out, the other definitions are clearly racist imo.
    Im honestly new to the term so I focused on the parts specifically about...well being racist. Still kinda floored its called “race realism”.
    Thanks for the education on that.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    We get it. NOS is an evil trumpest troll blah blah blah.
    Why dont you just shut up about it and try actually contributing? Youre the one playing the role of troll by disrupting other peoples conversations.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Well sure, but simply recognising those differences doesnt seem like a problem to me. So if you define racism as recognising those differences then racism isnt really a problem...which makes it a problematic way of defining racism.
    The “race realism” definition seems like a much better definition of racism, because it includes mistreatment based on race.
    Its bizarre that such a thing would be called “race realism”, as if its realistic/fact based to discriminate based race. Never knew what “race realism” was...just sounds like plain racism to me.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    No its not, NOS included no “discrimination” in his definition. Recognising a difference is not the same as discriminating based on that difference.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Well they are the same in most ways, the important ways, but its silly to act as though there aren’t any differences at all isnt it? There are obvious physical differences, thats the reality.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Well taxonomy is a scientific term, a scientific biological categorisation. I dont think thats whats commonly meant when people refer to race, I think they mean a category based in obvious physical differences.
    Maybe thats why there has been such contention on this topic, some people are using the academic meaning of “race” (as it might be used to describe an alien “race” for example) and others a laymens usage that is simply noticing differing physical traits like skin colour or bone density or hair color.
    So what word do you use to describe the latter cases? If thats not “race”, what is it?
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    What is the difference between your definition and his characterisation of it?
    Aren’t you saying that racism is when someone thinks there are categories of humans defined by physical traits?
  • Is life sacred, does it have intrinsic value?


    Ah, I suppose that is another conversation altogether. We most likely disagree quite a bit. My only real problem with the death penalty is the risk of a false conviction.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    So Zhou is essentially correct in how you define racism. Ok.
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?


    Yes, that seems a very poor definition of racism to me as well, I dont think thats what NOS has in mind though.
    How about it NOS? How do you define racism?
  • Why are We Back-Peddling on Racial Color-Blindness?
    And next you’ll appeal to the dictionary.NOS4A2

    You dont buy that definition of racism? How do you define it?
  • Is life sacred, does it have intrinsic value?
    Well the value of life wouldn't be strictly speaking intrinsic. But the distinction is fairly minute in most practical circumstances, unless we go beyond biological life.Echarmion

    Ok, I understand. Thanks.

    That's not really how the human psyche works. People can be extremely miserable and still also afraid to die. I don't think there is a good justification for inflicting that extra pain.Echarmion

    Im asking about choosing between death and death row. You implied that death row was the worse punishment, did I misunderstand what you meant?
  • Is life sacred, does it have intrinsic value?


    Do you think that people on death row would choose death over death row? If not, then doesnt that pretty clearly show which is the worse punishment? Why would people routinely choose the more torturous option? (Death row, according to you)
    Anyway, so you don’t think life has intrinsic value but because you think personhood has intrinsic value then human life has intrinsic value because personhood is intrinsic to human life? (Excepting cases like being braindead where personhood has gone away)
    Is that right?
  • Is life sacred, does it have intrinsic value?


    Oh I misunderstood, I thought you didnt think life was sacred or intrinsically valuable.
    I just wondered how you would answer other examples of lifes sanctity given your views on the braindead one. Didnt mean to imply they were the same thing, that was a tangent on my part.
  • Is life sacred, does it have intrinsic value?


    What about in the case of life in prison, do you think we should spend the resources to lock the worst of us up in a cage untill they die of natural causes?