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From: jeff@rtech.UUCP (Jeff Lichtman)
Newsgroups: net.women,net.sci
Subject: Re: Why are there so few [female|black] physicists? (mind games)
Message-ID: <352@rtech.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 3-Aug-86 02:02:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: rtech.352
Posted: Sun Aug  3 02:02:15 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 4-Aug-86 01:09:59 EDT
References: <608@ecn-pc.UUCP>
Organization: Relational Technology Inc, Alameda CA
Lines: 38
Xref: watmath net.women:11844 net.sci:1448

> 
> We did physical things to a lot of people, but what was most fun was to
> play games with their minds -- ie. politics.  We would tell them something
> that was false, but slanted in their view, and someone the same thing but
> slanted in the othe view, and sure enough, we could get these people to do
> (almost) whatever we wanted.  It was fun (and still is -- ever BSed a 
> project to the way YOU wanted?)
> 					- bob

No.  And it's not because I couldn't figure out how to do it if I wanted to.

I may be an idealistic wimp, but I find the above-displayed attitude
despicable.  To play games with people's minds because you think it's
fun, to pick on the weak, reveals what I consider to be major character
flaws: sadism, and love of power for its own sake.

Now, since it is Cheryl's posting Bob and I are talking about, I have some
questions for her:

Is the point of your story about convincing the men not to take AP Physics
that men often use the same tactics against women?  Are you trying to get
some men to understand what it's like to have the shoe on the other foot?

Are you glad that you did what you did, and managed to get a bunch of men
out of the class?  Or are you simply relating something you did when you
were young, without trying to indicate pride?

Do you agree or disagree with Bob's attitude that playing mind games with
people is a good way of having fun?  (Note: I am not asking whether it is
a legitimate way of accomplishing political goals.  That is another question.
If you wish to answer it, go ahead, but please answer the other one, too.)
Do you wish to be identified with Bob's position?
-- 
Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.)
"Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent..."

{amdahl, sun}!rtech!jeff
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