Re:The evolution of nepotism in academia, 1088-1800
by mmooss on Saturday November 09, 2024 @02:46AM
(#42093110)
> a natural mammalian instinct
So what? I don't make decisions, and I don't think society should make decisions, based on "mammalian instinct". My standards are a little higher than that.
It's a common, but bizarre way to try to argue something is inevitable. You don't have to act like a cow, or even a chimpanzee - if someone says you do, it's not a compliment.
> it has a negative implicit meaning because institutional power should somehow transcend lowly animal instincts
It reduces outcomes and fairness because productive work is shifted to unproductive people who lack merit.
So what? I don't make decisions, and I don't think society should make decisions, based on "mammalian instinct". My standards are a little higher than that.
It's a common, but bizarre way to try to argue something is inevitable. You don't have to act like a cow, or even a chimpanzee - if someone says you do, it's not a compliment.
> it has a negative implicit meaning because institutional power should somehow transcend lowly animal instincts
It reduces outcomes and fairness because productive work is shifted to unproductive people who lack merit.