April 23, 2018
The deleterious effects of biases, stereotypes, generalizations, political correctness, labeling, and conspiracy theories
Image (public domain): Uriah Heep from "David Copperfield", Ink and wash drawing (1870s). Author: Fred Barnard (1846–1896). Uploaded by the user: Rotational~commonswiki (commons Wiki). Source: http://www.dickensmuseum.com/vtour/groundfloor/fronthallway/drawing-12-full.php Wikipedia link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fred_Barnard07.jpg
Preamble: The freedom from 'the known' and 'the tyranny of the expected!'
"To be free of all authority, of your own and that of another, is to die to everything of yesterday so that your mind is always fresh, young, innocent, full of vigor and passion. It is only in that state that one learns and observes. And for this, a great deal of awareness is required, actual awareness of what is going on inside yourself, without correcting it or telling it what it should or should not be because the moment you correct it, you have established another authority, a censor." (Says the great Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti in the 'Freedom from the Known'; it is also my favorite quote)
"The discovery of the cause is merely intellectual, so obviously, it does not free the mind from its dependency. The mere intellectual acceptance of an idea, or the emotional acquiescence in an ideology, cannot free the mind from being dependent on something that will give it stimulation. What frees the mind from dependence is seeing the whole structure and nature of stimulation and dependence and how that dependence makes the mind stupid, dull, and inactive. Seeing the totality of it alone frees the mind." (Says the great Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti in the 'Freedom from the Known')
"We can free ourselves radically and immediately from the tyranny of the expected, no matter what their age - opening the door to transforming society and their relationships" (says the great Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti in the 'Freedom from the Known')
"We all need to get free from our biases, generalizations, stereotypes, and authorities such as religions, governments, and norms, which dictate our lives. We should be skeptical and continuously debate, doubt, dispute, filtrate, and criticize things" (I say, interpreting Krishnamurti).
Descartes says: "I think; therefore, I am'. I say: "I dispute; therefore, I am!".
Overview of bias
Bias is unfairly supporting or opposing a particular person or thing because of allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment (*).
Undoubtedly, everyone is biased, although even this may be a generalization! For most of us, our own opinions and notions are biased. Most people, even scientists, are biased. Bias is prevalent everywhere, for instance, in literature, the mass media, the Internet, science, and every aspect of life. Rarely do people search if something they heard or read is reliable, for example, in an encyclopedia, a scientific journal, or on the Internet, where news sources or notions need to be more credible.
By not checking if something is reliable, people readily accept it by presuming it is trustworthy when it is not! Therefore, people are perpetuating stereotypes, biases, and generalizations. Many people naively believe something that 'they saw on the TV' or 'read on the internet.' Often, retailers advertise the phrase 'Seen on TV,' as if something shown on TV makes it automatically reliable!
Bias, stereotypes & generalizations in politics
Biases, stereotypes, and generalizations are prevalent amongst populist politicians aiming at attracting voters and becoming popular with the masses. To accomplish this, they use biases and generalizations, and additionally, they may praise the nation as being unique and 'selected.' Concerning generalization, a politician may, for instance, use religion to justify a claim, such as Christianity, family, and nation, which is characteristically used by far-right political parties. We may recall that the "War on Terror" after 9/11 2001 was justified by US President George W. Bush as a war against 'evil,' apparently trying to appeal to Christian voters.
Religious claims and Puritanism are used as if most of the population is Christian. The people who label themselves as belonging to a religious group, in fact, rarely go to Church! However, the demographics of modern multinational nations have demonstrated syncretism (= the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions).
Bias, stereotypes and Generalizations in history
In the education system, including all levels of education, biases, stereotypes, and generalizations are common. A great example is history, which is taught subjectively. History is the most biased subject, as it is subjective and is conducted in a 'politically correct' way. For instance, although in classics, students are informed about the 'Sacred Band of Thebes,' they don't learn the real story: this troop was an army of gay lovers!
Bias, stereotypes & generalizations in the media
Journalists' news, reports, and views are usually biased in the mass media. Additionally, many sites on the Internet, including social media, are biased. People should be very skeptical, especially about what they watch on TV and read on the web. The most famous example is the fake video of the cormorant in Iraq during the Gulf War in 1991 that CNN used to influence public opinion. However, it is said that the footage was shot in a different than in Iraq place.
Bias, stereotypes & generalizations on Wikipedia
Many sites are biased on the Internet, including sites such as Wikipedia, where laypeople can write articles! To my mind, this is absurd! I propose articles written by eponymous users skilled in the specific subject (such as a historian for history or a biologist for biology). Still, this needs internet accounts to be authentic and personalized. The lack of this makes everything unreliable.
An example of a biased article is the word 'parkour,' which is something like advertising this pointless game, a form of acrobatics. But it doesn't mention a single word about the deaths from parkour and severe injuries (you may watch many videos on YouTube). However, this dangerous game is popular among children! Safety should come first, so it is imperative not to hide such information. Similarly, many people have died while trying to take a "selfie" at a dangerous place, intending to post it on social media to impress their friends. Throughout the web, "attention-seeking" behavior is prevalent!
Numerous stereotypes are widespread and hamper human relations. A notable example is gay people. Many people have stereotypes and prejudices about gays concerning their appearance and demeanor. For instance, they wear fancy clothes, act feminine (such as a high–pitched voice and wrist bending), hang out only with other gays, are provocative, etc. Of course, all these are nonsense that in the past were demonstrated by the media, television, and the movies that used to show a gay person as a ridiculous caricature. Today, many gays are less feminine or not feminine, as many behave like 'straight-acting' gays! Another stereotype is related to my profession. Many stereotypically believe that doctors are or should be conservative.
The problem with Wikipedia is its anarchy, as everyone, not experts, can create or edit an article. Disappointingly, creators often delete information other users add as if the article is their blog, while administrators are often biased. School projects and scientific research usually do not include Wikipedia as a source. It is unreliable as more than references and citations are needed to make an encyclopedia trustworthy. The concept of Wikipedia, articles created by unknown people rather than eponymous experts, shows that prejudice cannot be avoided. Nevertheless, on Google's "search," 'Wikipedia' is still highly rated. The Internet, in general, is entirely anarchic, and this will continue unless personalized accounts replace the fake ones where everyone, hiding behind a nickname, can say whatever they wish.
Unlike Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Britannica is an excellent example of a reliable database. For instance, if you search Encyclopedia Britannica for 'Pablo Picasso,' you will track down an article written by a specific contributor who is an expert on the field (here, an assistant professor of Art). Moreover, this article notes the date of the update and the sources and external links. However, mentioning references is one of many conditions for a report to be reliable. An article composed by a group of experts may be more credible as it is based on the consensus of its contributors.
Bias on the Internet
The Internet is cyberspace where bias predominates. An example is when someone reads the comments of anonymous people on forums, blogs, and sites (such as YouTube) where many people, exploiting their anonymity, not only give unreliable information or troll but may show their real character, which is often vicious. For instance, they may swear, become bigots, homophobic, xenophobic, racist, etc.
Biases in science
We should accept something supported by reliable research and relevant references in science. Many studies could be of better quality. However, even medicine, for example, is biased. For instance, they have statistical flaws. The sample or the duration of the study is small; follow-up is not included; a drug or biotechnology company sponsors them, etc. Often the authors, consciously or subconsciously, try to manipulate their research for the results to be according to what they wish and expect.
A striking example of bias in science is the fact that for many decades scientists (including biologists, ichthyologists, herpetologists, entomologists, zoologists, ornithologists, and naturalists) hid from the public that homosexuality is something usual in nature and occurs in about 1,500 kinds, including mammals (such as our closest relatives, apes and specifically the ape's Bonobos and Macaques), fish, birds (such as pigeons and parrots), reptiles and even insects! So, for decades most scientists did not even dare to mention that many animals exhibit homosexual behavior.
Another example of bias is archeology. All archeologists dream of making a significant discovery that will make them famous. Often when they find something that they think is important, they may exaggerate, even though they may lack reliable evidence to support their supposed breakthrough, but this just may be based on speculations.
A typical bias case characterizes white people as "Caucasians" or belonging to the Indo-European race. However, the former is a presumable origin from the Caucasus, while the latter is based on linguistic similarities!
Biased research
In published studies, biases are something ubiquitous. An example is the percentage of gay people in the population. A recent study proved that many were biased! A study by Ohio State University and Boston University researchers published by the National Bureau of Economic Research by Katherine Coffman, Lucas Coffman, and Keith Marzilli Ericson indicates that the existing published studies were biased with methodology flaws. The actual number of homosexuals in the population is 20%, and 27% of participants appear to have had some same-sex experiences! Specifically, 11% of survey participants said they did not consider themselves heterosexual when asked directly. However, when asked indirectly, 19% of participants indicated they did not believe themselves heterosexual.
This discrepancy was exposed due to the use of 'blind' questions. In the direct method, which resulted in an 11% response, participants were asked to answer a simple yes or no to the question, "Do you consider yourself heterosexual?" In the indirect or 'veiled' method, the survey asked people to choose between 0 and 4 to indicate their agreement with the statement 'I consider myself heterosexual.'
The results don't necessarily mean that 19% of the population is composed of exclusively gay men and solely lesbians, but rather that a significant percentage of the population is unwilling to position themselves at either end of the spectrum. Using the direct method, 17% of survey respondents indicated they had had a same-sex experience. However, using the veiled technique, the researchers concluded that some 27% of participants appear to have had some same-sex experiences.
The Smithsonian Institute of the USA, in an article on October 24, 2013, comments about the above research: 'Using a veiled question rather than a direct one uncovered a whole group of people who would not directly say they weren't heterosexual.
This kind of veiled questioning can get at all sorts of answers that people don't want to give, like the incidence of rape. Daniel Luzer at Pacific Standard that uncovering these hidden biases is vital for understanding these surveys' accuracy.
Biases in Medicine – The Cochrane Database
In science, many published studies need to be more balanced and well-designed. They may have a small sample or statistical flaws. Consequently, their results can be questioned for their reliability, especially if they are not placebo, double-blind, or randomized controlled. Moreover, a study may have a short duration, influencing the results. So, the length of a study is essential. A follow-up is also crucial.
The Cochrane database (containing meta-analyses) is vital for 'evidence-based medicine.' Many studies could be better designed. A Cochrane meta-analysis is based on well-designed studies that fulfill the inclusion criteria related to a topic, for example, if a specific drug is helpful for a particular disease. An example may be if glucosamine sulfate, a dietary supplement, helps with knee osteoarthritis.
A Cochrane meta-analysis assesses the published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of good quality. It seeks, especially double (or triple) blind placebo-controlled studies. Two reviewers assess the available trials and decide which will be included based on particular 'inclusion criteria.' Their target is to add well-designed studies. The quality of the included studies (including sample, duration, follow-up, etc.) is evaluated. The statistics of the studies are assessed for statistical flaws.
Then, with an overview of the included studies' results and considering matters such as statistics or quality flaws, the Cochrane reviewers aim at a reliable conclusion. That may be direct, for example, that the specific drug helps or not in a particular disease. However, an outcome may be that the available data needs to be more sufficient regarding the number of included RCTs or their quality to make a reliable conclusion, so more well-organized studies are required. It is essential to mention that jumping to a safe conclusion is impossible when a meta-analysis involves only a few RCTs (randomized controlled trials). The Cochrane database and the scientific article include an abstract in simple language so lay people can read that.
The point with Cochrane's meta-analyses is that the essential thing in a study is to be well-designed, namely, of good quality, and the results are repeated in the following studies. Thus, the role of Cochrane in publishing meta-analyses for several medical issues is crucial. It is paramount for 'evidence-based medicine.' Single research says nothing.
Stereotypes
A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or an idea of a particular type of person or thing (**).
Labeling people, facts, and things
Many people habitually label other people, facts, and things. For example, when a parent notices that his kid is talkative, they may label the child, saying that when it grows up, it will become an excellent 'politician' or 'diplomat.' Others may label a cute guy as 'gay' or 'metrosexual,' although he may be straight! Most people need help to avoid labeling. For example, they may label a neighbor as a gossiper, although this person may not be so.
Politically correctness
All politicians mention things that are 'politically correct.' That is only a problem if it ends up in embellishment by creating a manipulated appearance of a situation. In this case, people are told what is needed and is politically correct to be spoken. For example, immigration waves towards Europe by people who originated in the Middle East or Africa over the last years were uncontrolled and chaotic. Many migrants entered Europe illegally, without official documents to ascertain their origin, as the only refugees were migrants from Syria because of the prolonged civil war. However, the real story was that most migrants were not from Syria but from Afghans!
The developed European countries, notably Germany, encouraged immigration as they had cheap labor or specialists such as engineers and technicians. However, Germany welcomed one million migrants with the excuse of humanitarianism. However, all migrants were 'baptized' by the media as 'refugees' when a minority were refugees. At the same time, the rest were just people from developing countries, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa, who sought a better life. To deal with this discrepancy, they created the politically correct term 'economic refugee!'
Conspiracy theories
In the last decades, conspiracy theories have been prevalent, and many people believe them, although most of them are speculations and fictional. For example, some conspiracy theories say that the "Jews" (as they call them, avoid using the word 'Israelites,' but focus only on their religion) control the whole planet. Their grand lobby is supposedly behind the USA's interference in the Middle East. Other theories claim that the Bilderberg group (led by Henry Kissinger, as they say), the Freemasons, and the Rothschild and Rockefeller families, control the global economy and politics. In contrast, the CIA controls all the Western governments.
Another example is the theory that the president of the USA, John F. Kennedy (JFK), was murdered by the CIA, by Nixon or Fidel Castro, or by the Mafia! In the case of JFK's assassination, we see no agreement between the conspiracy theories! Speaking of JFK, another conspiracy theory says that Marilyn Monroe didn't die from a sleeping pill overdose, but the CIA killed her for her relationship with JFK, whom she knew about confidential issues.
Even for the 9/11 event, some say it was a set up by the US government that wanted to shock the public opinion to excuse an invasion of Afghanistan. Some say that the Jews who worked at the Twin Towers weren't there during the attack as they were informed about the imminent terror attack! Another conspiracy theory alleges that Adolph Hitler did not die but escaped (some say with a UFO) to Argentina, where he secretly lived the rest of his life!
A widespread conspiracy theory involves UFOs. It claims that an international conspiracy between all governments has covered up the existence of aliens and the fact that they live among us! This theory and movies such as ''E.T.'' made scientists officially search for extraterrestrial intelligence with the program SETI, where the scientists send radio messages to the universe and expect to have a reply! The funny thing is that even if the aliens replied, the response would return after a million light-years! A recent conspiracy theory is the chemical trails of commercial aircraft that contain gases that affect the judgment and mental capacity of the inhabitants of our planet to be manipulated easily by the coming global government.
Other conspiracy theories, using verses from the Revelation, claim that this global government will seal people with chips that, with the excuse of replacing our data files and our credit cards, will be a seal of Satan himself as they will all have a barcode with the number 666 called 'number of the beast'! But, they claim, the 'selected' who will not be sealed will survive Armageddon, the battle between the good and the evil.
All the above conspiracies are naïve, and some are even absurd! Notwithstanding, they are still popular among the masses. In any case, all conspiracy theories lack reliable evidence to support them. They are just theories, often ridiculous.
Epilogue – Conclusion
We all need to get free from our biases, generalizations, and stereotypes and from authorities such as religions, governments, and norms dictating our lives and poisoning our brains. We should be skeptical about everything and continuously debate, dispute, filter, and criticize things. Otherwise, the detrimental effects of bias will be perpetuated.
Thanks for reading!
Reference (Retrieved: April 22, 2018):
· (*) https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/bias
· (**) https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/stereotype
- http://www.nber.org/papers/w19508
- http://www.psmag.com/books-and-culture/gay-population-lgbt-homosexual-sex-kinsey-68670
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