Occam’s Razor
// September 1st, 2010 // Uncategorized
Stereotyping, everyone does it, few own up to it. How about a different angle?
A man walks toward you. He has his pants hanging down around his knees, gold necklaces around his neck, a baggy coat on with the logo of some sports team, and two gold teeth. When he passes you, he measures you with his eyes (scans up/down, ending with brief contact).
My first thought, gangbanger. Or at least, concealed weapon potential. I’ll admit, I might be wrong, but this is going to be my knee jerk reaction based on years of just “living”. I’ve lived in dangerous neighborhoods, safe neighborhoods, slummy neighborhoods, upper class neighborhoods. Television plays a part in the image we build in our heads as well. Where do THEY get their idea for what to dress an actor in to portrait a certain type of person?
In actuality, the process is scientific. I view elements of the subject and based on what I think I know about that element, I come to a theory that best fits the situation at hand. My theory may be ultimately wrong, but it’s a loose interpretation of Occam’s Razor and for my survival at the time, I’m not going to override instinct. That can be deadly.
So, I’m no stereotyping. I’m using science!
