:: The Old Freewheelin' Reader ::

:: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 ::

Freelinkin' is now up and running.
tim 9:37 PM [+]

Don't forget to check out Freewheelin', Freelinkin' (coming soon) and Freelistenin' (also coming soon).
tim 10:21 AM [+]

Patrick Watson reviews The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker. (The Globe and Mail, Sat. 5.10.02)

Pinker's book examines the influence of culture on scientific research. According to Watson Pinker argues that ethnicity, gendre and politics has greatly limited the range of topics that can be discussed and examined by true science. "Mainstream scientists have allowed political, spiritual and social concerns about racism, inequality, imperfectability, determinism and nihilism to take precedence over science's tradition of freedom to ask questions, report data and propose theories and to expose those questions, data and theories to evidential scrutiny." Pinker essential examines whether or not people are in fact blank slates (in which case they are exclusively products of their environment, as Locke and Vygotsky suggest) or they are genetically determined to certain behaviours. It is the later theory that causes such a furor. Watson brings up Western scientist Rushton whose theories regarding ethnic and racial differences shocked us all. Interestingly Rushton's critics (including noted scientist and critic David Suzuki) largely attacked his right to discuss such topics, not the validity of his research. The greatest criticism was that his theories would be used to manipulate but Pinker suggests, "the risk that they can be used discriminantly in no way invalidates them or renders the research itself immoral." The problem that Pinker apparently glances over is that there does in fact exist a long history of racist practices that devolved to the de-humanization of whole groups of people. I am not a scientist and I certainly have not read all the research but it seems to me that people from various parts of the world, despite many universalities (as researcher Donald Brown notes there are over 400 universal traits found in all cultures) there are marked differences between people. Why wouldn't there be? However, when these diverse people begin to merge cultures (as we are seeing on a daily basis - the global village) people tend to cling to and embellish these differences beyond any reasonableness. Everyone wants to defend some identity. But if we take a step back, it seems reasonable that someone ought to have the right to say that there are differences. Of course, this same person would have to defend the validity of their research. Scrutiny though is not the same as dismissing.

Language Examined
We live in a changing society where groups of people (feminists, vegetarians, and environmentalists) are attempting to bring about greater equality and fairness. This can only come by analyzing and critiquing current norms in language and performance. Phrases like herstory though interesting still cause titters amongst average people. I think this is the case because we in general are too close to the topic of study (our own culture) to adequately distance ourselves from it. Examples from other cultures such as Muslim women and their burkas are easier for us to witness and critique if we so inclined. We need to turn the focus on ourselves. But it can begin by looking at other cultures (as long as it doesn't devolve into a sense of superiority). For example Taslima Nasrin's new book Meyebela examines her childhood in Bangladesh. Interestingly her examination must begin with an exploration and creating of language. There is no word for 'girl-hood in Bengali. "The term for childhood is chelebela - boy-time. Meyebela, an act of radical linguistics, means girl-time." This is an example of a word that is presumed to be all encompassing but is actually intentionally exclusionary. Though it's easier, in my opinion to see this in a translation than it is in our own language there are English equivalents. For example 'guys', 'man'. The use of these terms to define men and women requires women to translate the meaning to their own experiences. Language needs to be upgraded in such a way that it can be all encompassing and individualistic simultaneously. Too bad I'm not a cunning linguist.

The Greatest
What makes Muhammad Ali such an enduring figure? Steven Brunt's newest book, an exploration of Ali's opponents, seems like it would be an interesting read.

tim 10:19 AM [+]