Asynonametrics
The Root of prejudice
For years I searched for a particular word; a word that describes our human tendency
I remember decades ago, when another driver did something I didn’t like,
and I wanted to think poorly of them,
I found myself looking for a reason for the flaw that caused the bad driving.
to assign flawed behaviors to people different from ourselves.
I remember decades ago, when another driver did something I didn’t like,
and I wanted to think poorly of them,
I found myself looking for a reason for the flaw that caused the bad driving.
(I strongly believe in cause-and-effect, often driven by free will.)
One day I realized I was searching for something about the driver
that was so unlike me, that I couldn’t share that flaw.
Sometimes it was color or age, the condition of their vehicle,
that was so unlike me, that I couldn’t share that flaw.
Sometimes it was color or age, the condition of their vehicle,
sometimes their sex, or a different State license plate.
For some reason, I wanted or needed to separate myself from this behavior -
perhaps so I could criticize the person without feeling like a hypocrite.
The term finally came to me in June 2020:
‘Asynonametrics’:
‘A’ = not
‘synonymous’ = like the other
‘metrics’ = when measured
The unfortunate result of this process is:
If we hear of someone eating pickles and ice cream together, we usually think,
And when we see someone using crutches, we wonder why. So:
Justifiable-Asynonametrics and unjustifiable-prejudices can grow and twine together
For some reason, I wanted or needed to separate myself from this behavior -
perhaps so I could criticize the person without feeling like a hypocrite.
The term finally came to me in June 2020:
‘Asynonametrics’:
‘A’ = not
‘synonymous’ = like the other
‘metrics’ = when measured
Pronounced: long A, (pause), sin on a metrics
Asynonametrics: Attributing the deviant (dangerous, immoral, illegal or inappropriate)
Asynonametrics: Attributing the deviant (dangerous, immoral, illegal or inappropriate)
behavior of others...to people-groups that are not our own.
The unfortunate result of this process is:
We then tend to assign that flaw to everyone-else in that people-group.
Our two types of sexual hormones and our differing personal and cultural histories
give us the opportunity to misuse our free wills ... in ways different from other people-groups.
So, when we see flaws or misfortunes in others, we look for the reason.
Our two types of sexual hormones and our differing personal and cultural histories
give us the opportunity to misuse our free wills ... in ways different from other people-groups.
So, when we see flaws or misfortunes in others, we look for the reason.
If we hear of someone eating pickles and ice cream together, we usually think,
‘Ah, the mascot-treat of pregnant women’.
This allows us to categorize this mildly deviant behavior,
and draw a discreet line between us and her.
and draw a discreet line between us and her.
And when we see someone using crutches, we wonder why. So:
1) If the person is elderly, we might suspect a fall in the shower or down the stairs.
2) if it's a scruffy young man who also has black eye, we might think he lost a fistfight.
3) if it's a well-groomed young white woman, we may suspect a skiing injury.
4) if a dwarf is using crutches, we may assume a genetic issue.
Why do we look for differences and try to identify the reasons for them?
2) if it's a scruffy young man who also has black eye, we might think he lost a fistfight.
3) if it's a well-groomed young white woman, we may suspect a skiing injury.
4) if a dwarf is using crutches, we may assume a genetic issue.
Why do we look for differences and try to identify the reasons for them?
Instinctual self-protection, I suspect.
Some instincts are immediate and apparent in newborn babies, like the fear of falling.
Some instincts we mature into, but are instincts nonetheless.
And we also have moral instincts; to guard ourselves from blame,
though how we do that is sometimes very immoral.
And Asynonametrics, though a natural instinct, can be perverted.
We can learn inappropriate prejudices, declaring entire people-groups inferior or dangerous.
Some instincts are immediate and apparent in newborn babies, like the fear of falling.
Some instincts we mature into, but are instincts nonetheless.
And we also have moral instincts; to guard ourselves from blame,
though how we do that is sometimes very immoral.
And Asynonametrics, though a natural instinct, can be perverted.
We can learn inappropriate prejudices, declaring entire people-groups inferior or dangerous.
Justifiable-Asynonametrics and unjustifiable-prejudices can grow and twine together
like trees in fence row, difficult to separate.
And sometimes we build fences around our prejudices.
And what if no obvious physical distinction is to blame another's bad behavior?
Well, white men tend to blame another white man's mother for his flaws.
Pardon my language, but the term 'son-of-a-bitch' is probably Asynonametrics in action.
I’m going to leave this here.
You decide how Asynonametrics affects the way you look at other people-groups.
And what if no obvious physical distinction is to blame another's bad behavior?
Well, white men tend to blame another white man's mother for his flaws.
Pardon my language, but the term 'son-of-a-bitch' is probably Asynonametrics in action.
The other white man's mother takes the blame for the flaws she has passed down to him.
I’m going to leave this here.
You decide how Asynonametrics affects the way you look at other people-groups.
