to PC, or not to PC (was Re: Genius and Y chromosomes).

Eugene Leitl (Eugene.Leitl@lrz.uni-muenchen.de)
Tue, 7 Jan 1997 17:09:31 +0100 (MET)


Imnsho, this thread (which, afair was originated by the works, and not by
the publically mouthed opinions of one de Garis) shows classically the
disruptive role of PC in argumentation (which is also the intended effect
of PC), the reason why the term has had aquired full bugbear status (at
least to me) in an rationally led argumentation by now.

PC is an argumentative technique, where inadequately (according to their
lights) represented groups try to discredit their opponents by applying
emotionally loaded, ad hominish argumentation ("perfectly obvious... you
are a Commie/Nazi/paedophile if you think XY").

The scientific work of de Garis is not connected to his world views at
all. Perhaps, we should discuss the instrumentality of CAM-flavoured
systems in artificial cognition, not whether the person de Garis eats
baby bacon crisps for breakfast.

ciao,
'gene