Base and Superstructure

Alienation, autonomy, and ideology

Page 19 of 116

Two Deeper Problems for the Implicit Association Test

Anyone following the replication crisis (and other debates) in the social sciences knows about one key problem with the implicit association test. In short, it’s not clear whether the test predicts anything. That is to say, ‘implicit bias,’ as measured by the IAT, might not predict prejudice or discriminatory behavior.

That’s a problem for the IAT for the obvious reason that its creators intend it as a major tool in the fight against racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression.

But I want to suggest that the IAT has even deeper problems. At least two of them. Even if the IAT does predict behavior, it still doesn’t explain a lot about why racism and sexism and happen. Nor does it tells us how to fight them.

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Rethinking the New Left?

As readers may have noticed, I have a habit of writing about the New Left in a derogatory way.

I complain about its bad habits. I lament its navel gazing, its development of alienating leftist subculture, and its embrace of open-ended, structureless meetings. And more than anything, I think it’s unfortunate the New Left still influences new activist groups.

So, it’s fair to say I was overdue for a correction from more sober historians.

Never fear, dear reader. That day has arrived!

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‘Affordable Housing’ is a Political Football

Progressive cities love affordable housing. At least, they love something they call ‘affordable housing.’ Therein lies a series of problems.

Politicians in these cities know lots of people can’t pay rent. And that lots of people pay half their incomes just to rent a house, blocking them from buying homes or saving for retirement. Many of these politicos genuinely want to solve the problem. They turn to ‘affordable housing’ in order to do it.

And yet, finance capital dominates the politics of cities, even progressive ones. Bankers, developers, and landlords punch well above their numbers. Investors demand a return on their money. Developers and landlords demand a never ending flow of profits. In addition, mayors and city managers demand a steady, and rising, tax base.

Progressive politicians thus need to create affordable housing while also satisfying finance capital, profit, and the sustainability of local government. How can they do it?

To start, they can think about ‘affordable housing’ in a way that meshes with financial interests. And, indeed, that’s what they do.

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Living with a Dog (Molly)

When her mother died in 2020, my partner inherited a 13 year old dog, Molly. Now 16 years old as of July, Molly has lived with us these past 3 years.

Molly is a Peekapoo – a hyrbid breed between Pekinese and Poodle. She’s a very small dog, weighing in at maybe 12 or 13 pounds. And we’ve seen her through years of getting older, moving on from a senior dog to a quite elderly dog. Despite being quite elderly – and limited in various ways in her mobility – she’s a healthy and active dog for her age.

My partner and I have talked a number of times over the years about whether we want a dog (we’ve both firmly ruled out cats). And I think our experience with Molly has given us some insight into aging and care for the aging. Not to mention some good times taking walks and showing off our dog stroller to the neighborhood.

Do you have a dog? What are the joys of dogs for you?

September Reading List (2023)

I started looking through the books I’ve been reading as we headed into the fall, and I saw some of what I expected. Books about politics, presidential candidates, and so on. But I noticed a continuation in my recent summer theme of issues of philosophy and aging.

Yes, we’ve got more of those books on this month’s list. What else will join them on the list? Read on to find out.

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