Was Greece the birthplace of humanity?

[LP]

A stand up comic can get away with jokes that none of us ever could for this very reason.

Yet it's clear that comedians get hauled over the coals on a regular basis for this very issue despite the clear relationship that exists! I suppose you could argue that when you take possession of the ticket you a contract to perceive the performance in a very specific way! Where do we draw the line?

It's part of the complexity of humanity that the same joke, can be seen as funny or racist, depending on the factors above. That's not hypocrisy, that's not double standards.

I agree, but doesn't "seen" by definition imply ambiguity?

Those who "see" like those who "behold" make assumptions about the observations of others.

[Mav]

We need to agree on a definition of "race" before we can start talking about "racism.

All we need is the dictionary definition.  This is from the online OED:

Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics.
‘people of all races, colours, and creeds’
More example sentencesSynonyms
1.1mass noun The fact or condition of belonging to a racial division or group; the qualities or characteristics associated with this.
Example sentences
1.2 A group of people sharing the same culture, history, language, etc.; an ethnic group.
‘we Scots were a bloodthirsty race then’
More example sentencesSynonyms
1.3 A group or set of people or things with a common feature or features.
‘the upper classes thought of themselves as a race apart’
More example sentencesSynonyms
1.4Biology A population within a species that is distinct in some way, especially a subspecies.
‘people have killed so many tigers that two races are probably extinct’
More example sentences
1.5 (in non-technical use) each of the major divisions of living creatures.
‘a member of the human race’
‘the race of birds’
More example sentences
1.6literary A group of people descended from a common ancestor.
‘a prince of the race of Solomon’
More example sentencesSynonyms
1.7archaic mass noun Ancestry.
‘two coursers of ethereal race’

In other words, both Greeks and Muslims can be described as races for the purposes of defining racism.  It isn't limited to Caucasians or Asians, for example.

In fact, in modern times, the idea of humans being divided into genetically discrete races is seen increasingly as an unfortunate mistake which has in fact led to racism.  As the ads for Ancestry.com demonstrate, our DNA is usually a mix of influences.  I remember seeing US a talk show that had a white supremacist on it and he agreed to a DNA test.  He had no fear because he was as white as white can be.  Yet the test showed he had a considerable African heritage and he was devastated.  Subsequently, he was shunned by other white supremacists

[PaulP]

Yet it's clear that comedians get hauled over the coals on a regular basis for this very issue despite the clear relationship that exists! I suppose you could argue that when you take possession of the ticket you a contract to perceive the performance in a very specific way! Where do we draw the line?

I agree, but doesn't "seen" by definition imply ambiguity?

Those who "see" like those who "behold" make assumptions about the observations of others.

I'm not sure where you draw the line. In the case of a public performance like a comedy show, I guess if you know the comedian has form, you don't buy a ticket, or just check your phone and zone out when they get to the bits you don't like. I'm not sure.

If it's a one to one situation, just make sure you know the person very well, and if you stuff up, apologise and don't do it again, and pray they forgive you. All easier said then done.

[LP]

@Mav, does that by definition make a term like "Sexism" redundant because it can be replaced with "Racism"?

Isn't gender an equally valid feature or identity?

What about LGBTI, etc., etc., are they a unique and shared collective quality or identity?

[DJC]

Do you find any irony in the condemnation of the claims made in Flores, contrasted to the positive commentary around Rising Star and the subsequent Lesedi finds. There seems to be a lot of heavy politicisation of this science, subjectively I see more than I have noticed in other disciplines.

Do you think the race to publish is damaging the research, sensational claims now seem to be a requirement of publication?

After 40 years in the field, I'm still amazed at how some folk fight against new discoveries that cast doubt on their work or stated position.  We know so little about the past that it is inevitable that theories will be displaced/replaced as new discoveries are made.

The Flores 'hobbits' were caught up in a particularly nasty debate fuelled in part by the megalomania of the head of Indonesian archaeology.  Unfortunately, one of the principals of the team passed away before the significance of the finds was confirmed ... until the next discovery!

Publish or perish does play a role but peer review should iron out the more outrageous articles.

[LP]

Publish or perish does play a role but peer review should iron out the more outrageous articles.

It worries me that so many articles are now published before peer review is completed.

I feel this is a trap that the scientific community is falling into, this new trend in regard to dubious politically focused publications is also a worry. The media assume a publication is a publication, and like opinions they are all equal, when we know they are clearly not!

[Mav]

@Mav, does that by definition make a term like "Sexism" redundant because it can be replaced with "Racism"?

Isn't gender an equally valid feature or identity?

What about LGBTI, etc., etc., are they unique and shared collective quality or identity?

Usually, the general gives way to the specific, so sexism would be used. 

In legislation, words are usually defined specifically, so such arguments are avoided.  But English is an unregulated language, so ultimately it's how words are used which counts rather than existing dictionary definitions.  "Gay" used to mean happy and lively, but now you would rarely use it in that sense when referring to a person.

[LP]

Is our generation wrecking fun?

I fear we are creating a society that walks all day on eggshells in misery and contempt because of the foibles of language, and I worry it will lead to no good!

[PaulP]

Is our generation wrecking fun?

I fear we are creating a society that walks all day on eggshells in misery and contempt because of the foibles of language, and I worry it will lead to no good!

I don't believe this is the case.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Is our generation wrecking fun?

I fear we are creating a society that walks all day on eggshells in misery and contempt because of the foibles of language, and I worry it will lead to no good!

I think fun has a price on it in todays society....more pressures lead to less fun and it becomes a commodity....