If you can definitively prove “the existence and possible importance of average group differences in psychological traits”, then the true and rational position to take would be racism. Now, as far as I know or have researched, no conclusive arguments have been made for accepting racism. However, when you say ‘racist’, it conjures up images like this:
(EDIT: this picture was embedded; it’s now linked instead)
I didn’t downvote you, but consider the impact this picture would have on someone quickly looking at this post to see if they want to participate in LW. Are you being ironic or something?
Emotionally salient stories are the stuff scope insensitivity is made of. I point this out not because I disagree with you, I believe it is more important to notice this stuff WRT things you agree with than things you disagree with.
That definition of ‘racist’ is what Yvain calls a non-central fallacy: http://lesswrong.com/lw/e95/the_noncentral_fallacy_the_worst_argument_in_the/
If you can definitively prove “the existence and possible importance of average group differences in psychological traits”, then the true and rational position to take would be racism. Now, as far as I know or have researched, no conclusive arguments have been made for accepting racism. However, when you say ‘racist’, it conjures up images like this:
(EDIT: this picture was embedded; it’s now linked instead)
http://motherboard-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/content-images/article/ironically-a-mans-face-can-tell-you-if-hes-likely-to-act-like-a-racist/048156b6350757d5b198262bdfb53d92_vice_630x420.jpg
I didn’t downvote you, but consider the impact this picture would have on someone quickly looking at this post to see if they want to participate in LW. Are you being ironic or something?
I see. I didn’t consider that at all; that’s a good point. I removed the picture.
This picture of a lynching is closer to my “why I think racism is bad” image.
Emotionally salient stories are the stuff scope insensitivity is made of. I point this out not because I disagree with you, I believe it is more important to notice this stuff WRT things you agree with than things you disagree with.
Didn’t downvote you, but I’m willing to bet it was because you embedded an image rather than linking it.