General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: "Man-bashing." My favorite DU pule. [View all]Tom Rinaldo
(22,911 posts)The fact that there are numerous variables at play in a situation that can counter and offset each other in different instances does not negate the influence each variable has. Every time there is unusually heavy snow somewhere some FOX type uses that fact to ridicule global warming. Complex dynamics, and American society qualifies, can not be predicted on the basis of a single variable - but the effect of ALL of the variables are at work - including those that end up eclipsed in certain situations by more powerful variables at that moment in that place.
In Track and Field a tail or head wind always effects the ability of an athelete to set a world record. Sports authorities arbitrarily define what degree of tail wind can be present before a line is crossed and new records are not counted. Obviouisly other variables are at play also; skill, conditioning etc. but Track recognizes that a tail wind helps whatever athelete is running or jumping with it, but even there "low" tail winds are discounted while "high" tail winds disqualify a record breaking achievement.
But a truly superior individual might still break a world record even though a gust of head wind might work against them as they sprint. And NO, in this example all athelets are not competing under the same cirucmstances. World records are composites of all qualifying performances, some with head winds and some with tail winds.
In South Africa under Apartheid Race was an overwhelmingly strong social variable. In the U.S. in the 50's in the South it was still very powerful but not quite as decisive as it was in South Africa, some Southern Blacks managed to live better than many Southern Whites - but that did not disprove the negative impact of Segregation. Meanwhile in the U.S. North in the 50's more American Blacks were able to thrive despite racism than in the South. Again race was not quite as decisive a variable in New York then than it was in Alabama - but it still remained in play.
That is clearest in hindsight. Sitting in New York today looking back on the 50's I can see that racism was more powerful then than it is now. I believe, based on how society is evolving, that should I be around to reflect on 2010 in 2040, I will find race to be a weker variable in the future than it still remains today.