The Problem With Paragons
The world is only binary because that’s the structure our logic and our language enforces on a diverse and often chaotic reality. Human beings are able to process increasingly complex logical problems in the span of seconds that would require several months of computer programming to even set the decision tree possibilities if using a digital computer precisely because of this ability to simplify complex data sets into a less precise and less accurate summary. Unfortunately, imposing such a structure becomes such second nature that we often simplify areas that resist simplification. This leads to the problem of stereotypes.
The simplification of a complex whole is a form of linguistic and logical violence. Simplification requires building a definition (usually a dichotomy) that captures the information that fits within the top of the statistical bell curve. Such a definition requires cutting away the fringes by using phrases like “for the most part” or “generally”. In essence, in our urge to provide simple and easily handled definitions, we are building a class definition around an often non-existent ideal or paragon. The problem, however, doesn’t come in when we’re dealing with a very abstract or academic discussion of language. Rather, true difficulties only arise when we begin to take those simplified definitions out into the often chaotic data distribution of real life. Our structure now becomes an ideological prison that keeps us in classification rather than observation mode. Rather than adapting our definition based on new data as a true scientist must, we become excluding or shaming of all who don’t fit our reference. A feminist like me sees this problem most readily in issues surrounding gender. Likewise my muslim friend is very likely to see the problem in light of our Western religious structures. A homosexual often sees the problem as it involves sexual orientation. All of these are great examples that can illustrate the fundamental problem of turning a complex whole into an easily (mis)handled object.
When we define in increasing detail what it means to be a woman or a man, we describe an ideal with criteria that will eventually exclude nearly every actual member of that class. No one will ever completely fit the stereotype, and this leads to an internal shame. The problem in reality isn’t being a hairy woman or a guy who likes musicals. The problem is that the class definition excludes you from truly belonging to that group. In object-oriented terms, you are not a flawed instantiation of a perfect class. The “bug” is in the class description itself. Each of us is queer when compared with an unrealistic ideal.
Technorati Tags: Critical Theory, Feminism, Queer, Object-oriented, Class, Ideals, Language
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:56:16
Hey, I found your blog the other day when I was researching whether Einstein bagels were vegan. Actually, I thought they were vegan, and I was researching which varities were vegan. So I found an old post of yours, where I learned that nope, they’re not vegan. (lucky for me, I wasn’t an einstein’s fan to begin with…)
Anyway I’m a vegan java programmer, so it was funny to me to unexpectedly stumble across another vegan programmer when I was just looking for bagels! I like your writing, and I really liked this post, so I hope you don’t mind me lurking and reading!
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:59:30
I fall victim to other people’s ideological prisons every time I walk into a gas station. People do a double-take. Surprised that Muslim women drink coffee? That we’re allowed to go out alone? That I speak ‘American’?
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:18:01
@Deb:
Welcome to the party! New readers are always welcome.
And, if you’re looking for a good vegan bagel, check out Panera. You might also find my Vegan Options wiki entry useful. I originally set that up for my own personal use, but it seems to be hit by the general web population a fair bit as well.
@Jen:
I hold out hope that our existence helps to queer the norm as we interact with other people every day. Hopefully every time I knit a sock in public or pull out my pink Hello Kitty wallet even though I’m part of the privileged male class, I’m eroding the stereotype.
A woman in a headscarf is just as valid an expression of “American” as is a soldier in army fatigues. A guy with barrettes in his hair is just as valid an expression of “male” as is a guy in an Oakland Raiders jersey. The majority doesn’t get to define us out of the class.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:56:10
I somehow have gotten out of the bagel habit, but I’ll definitely give panera’s a try next time I see one and am hungry. Actually, I can’t remember where there are any near me. (I’m fairly new to my area.) I’ll have to check it out so I’m prepared! And I’ll bookmark your vegan wiki.
Thanks for the welcome!