So many people on here believe so strongly in anecdotal "evidence" and in the validity of their own opinions, that they carry it off as fact. Why is this so prevalent in this forum?
2007-08-21 06:14:41 · 15 answers · asked by teeleecee 6 in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
Really, my lord? Prove it. I have opinions, but I do not call myself an expert...although I'm sure I'm up on you, since I actually have 2 degrees, one of them in women's studies--something I have also taught. So, if my answers are complete bull****, I'd hate to think what to call yours.
2007-08-21 06:31:57 · update #1
Just so you know, I only added that information for the enlightenment of one individual. I don't think it qualifies me any more/less than anyone else in a subjective field such as this. Dierdre clearly understands the origin of this question--it is the result of going through 2 full screens of nonsense about women in this forum with idiotic "proof" to substantiate their beliefs about female superiority.
2007-08-21 07:11:23 · update #2
...and that was meant to be "inferiority"...I must be angry!
2007-08-21 07:12:24 · update #3
I know whom you are talking about. He is an idiot. He has no education, and no idea how foolish he looks. I once had to tell him the meaning of the word 'plagarism'. I kid you not: he kept on accusing me of plagarising (scholarly materials that I had cited in support of my argument).
Who slept through high school?
How can anyone be any dumber than that?
"And no matter how many degrees one has, it does not make that person "one up" on anyone else"
Considering the fact that Women's studies is an area of scholarly investigation - WRONG, DU-UH. The polar opposite is true. Sorry little girl, education matters, It matters alot. That's why you see WS under the umbrella of SOCIAL SCIENCES - it's not a case of make it up as you go along.
EDIT
Perhaps I spoke too soon:
"Most professionals rely on anecdotal evidence all the time".
Uhhhhhh, ya...
that's scientists for ya. No evidence for this allegation, I see...
PS: nothing is concrete - ever, and that includes the natural sciences. If the scientific method were as foolproof as we are led to believe then pharmaceutical products - drugs - would never need to be taken off the shelves when becomes all too clear the dangers and risks they pose outweigh the benefits. That's because the business of science is big business; making a profit on an investment. Whenever big money is involved, you can garantee there is corruption and greed right around the corner.
Remember how long it took scientists working for Big Tobacco to admit that 'yes...ok...maybe smoking does cause lung cancer after all...'.
Mmmmmkay...
2007-08-21 09:34:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
Same thing goes for most statistics as 82% of them of are made up on the spot. The rest are just fixed results. There may be a couple of real studies thrown into the mix.
I know plenty of scientists... if they want to have good results, they do have them. Regardless of if their theory is actually working, they want that grant money.
Stacking the deck sort of thing.
As for degrees. Well, the one thing we absolutely know is that people can pass a class. I would never assume anyone is well versed in something just because they have a degree. Why? Oh, because of all the people who have degrees in computer science that know almost nothing about it. And some other fields. Sure, it's more credibility, but still foolish to assume someone knows their stuff just because they have a degree.
Experience trumps all, really.
2007-08-21 14:33:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Most professionals rely on anecdotal evidence all the time. Sometimes a spade is a spade. Have there been studies on cats being "weird" about doorways, guys driving muscle cars disproportionately wearing Oakley sunglasses, or the increased likelihood that adult comic book collectors are not as likely to be successful with hot women? Probably not. There are lots of anecdotal truths that women know better than men, then when a man points out one of these truths, she says "Where's your evidence?"
2007-08-21 13:41:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm much more likely to listen to someone's opinion who has actually participated in feminist or maculinist activism. I'm also more likely to listen to an opinion of someone who has researched women's studies or another social science like psychology or sociology (not necessarily attended college courses, but have read a book or two and thought about it longer than 5 seconds).
Few if any of the anti-feminists or non-feminists on this forum have done anything but sit and type about what they "think" feminism or feminists are. And what they think is very boring and usually hostile and childish. Have they ever participated in a group they're making assumptions about or read a book about a social science topic they are "discussing" or researched any of their beliefs? Heck no.
It's hard to take seriously people who are spouting gender stereotypes based on their vast experience at age 13, or listen to people who base their views of all or most men or women on their incredibly "diverse" set of friends/partner, or base their views of feminism or feminists on the one woman who they "thought" was a feminist or who may have said they were a feminist.
The typical thoughtful opinion I see here is the usual sexist anti-women crud I hear on hate radio. We're definitely not dealing with any experts here. The ugly American is alive and well in Yahoo Answers. We have a few busy males in this forum that feel that everyone must listen to their ranting, no matter how stupid it is, and that since they are male, they do not have to have facts, research, education or experience to back up their opinions. They think it is self-evident that what they are saying is true and if they repeat it enough times, it will "change" our minds. And sometimes it works with the naive, uninformed, silly, fearful, angry, or stupid. The right-wing has been very successful using the tactic, haven't they? Intelligence is definitely not required to convince masses of people using misinformation and outright lying.
2007-08-22 00:23:15 · answer #4 · answered by edith clarke 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. I haven't seen anyone on here claim to be an "expert". And no matter how many degrees one has, it does not make that person "one up" on anyone else. A person without any degree at all may have valid points and interesting ideas. Also, women's studies is NOT a science. Much of it is subjective. It isn't like a math equation, which has a right and wrong answer.
I agree with atom45. Eloquent and accurate.
You know, if you cannot read a person's opinion without giving a thumbsdown/reporting them, maybe this forum is not the place for you. It is sophomoric to attack a person just because he/she does not agree with you.
2007-08-21 14:03:14 · answer #5 · answered by beautifulirishgirl 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
This forum is meant to opine; Whether it is acceptable or not. One has every right to express his opinion. The courage of conviction is what matters. No body who opines claim to be an expert. But his opinion becomes that of an expert if acceptable to many, if not all. So keep the forum the way it is. Many opinions are the basis of many inventions even. If Thomas Edision did not have an opinion about something, which ofcourse was considered stupid those days, many of his inventions would not have been made.. So let us learn to live with it.
2007-08-21 13:28:10 · answer #6 · answered by atom45 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I am an expert when it comes to my opinion...no one is more thoroughly versed in how I think than myself! I need no statistics to substantiate how I think, unless I quote a specific situation.
This forum asks for opinion...and then, often, you are slagged for providing it. This clearly falls under the category of 'if you don't want to know what someone thinks, don't ask...'
2007-08-21 15:05:56 · answer #7 · answered by Super Ruper 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nothing is concrete when it comes to Social Sciences. Even the stats are not concrete, and can be interpreted various ways.
But I do agree, that at least having some kind of stat, or something to back your point, is better than just making an open opinion.
So, I'm with you and against you on this.
2007-08-21 15:41:28 · answer #8 · answered by Nep 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Everybody is entitled to have confidence in their own opinion. Why? Would it be as effective if poeple say "it may be this or it may be that". Life itself is bunch of make beliefs, self portrayed, commonly agreed upon standards. Even a fool has a right to his opinion and so do you.
heck yeah.. I know I am an expert coz I have learned from one best teacher ... experience !! You tell me your source ?
2007-08-21 13:50:18 · answer #9 · answered by AndyG 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This can be linked to the,"friend of a friend", expert witness and other dodgy sources that seem to rear their nasty heads particularly in this forum. This seems prevalent amongst the very disturbed who masquerade not only as women to try and destroy credibility but also clone and slip in under the guise of Marc Lepine the mass murderer of young innocent university students during a massacre.
2007-08-21 13:54:46 · answer #10 · answered by Deirdre O 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋