On stereotypes.
Stereotype:
1. (noun) Oversimplified conception: an oversimplified, standardized image of a person or a group.
2. (transitive verb) Reduce somebody to oversimplified category: to categorize individuals or groups according to an oversimplified standardized image or idea.
This is the standard definition. One could add: a stereotype is seldom accurate - if ever. It's a poor way we have to try understanding our world. An easy one too: we just have to make categories and have everything fit into one of them. Yes, it is that simple. However, when it comes to people stereotypes tend to forget that each person is unique. And just because we can isolate a common pattern in a number of people it doesn't mean that all that people are alike. They never are.
And this, as non-sense as it might sound, is merely meant for me to quote Richard Dawkins: There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out.
1. (noun) Oversimplified conception: an oversimplified, standardized image of a person or a group.
2. (transitive verb) Reduce somebody to oversimplified category: to categorize individuals or groups according to an oversimplified standardized image or idea.
This is the standard definition. One could add: a stereotype is seldom accurate - if ever. It's a poor way we have to try understanding our world. An easy one too: we just have to make categories and have everything fit into one of them. Yes, it is that simple. However, when it comes to people stereotypes tend to forget that each person is unique. And just because we can isolate a common pattern in a number of people it doesn't mean that all that people are alike. They never are.
And this, as non-sense as it might sound, is merely meant for me to quote Richard Dawkins: There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out.
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