Note: We're assuming that it would actually be possible to eliminate stereotypes (since it is a subconscious action) for this debate.

Are stereotypes a good thing, or a bad thing? What would our world be like without them?

I'll post my thoughts later.

I don't think stereotypes are a good thing because they create prejudice. But I think that, unfortunately, they are unavoidable. I, like many millions of others, immediately judge you ('you' being used in a very general sense obviously) from my first impressions of you, and even if you prove those first impressions wrong later, I will find it very difficult to get rid of them. And I know you said that we would assume it was possible to stop for the purposes of this debate, but I would have about as much success at preventing myself from stereotyping as I would getting to the moon by walking

But what if you could? What if no one looked at the girl wearing all black and thought "Eww, what a goth,"? Would our world be a better place?

It would be an infinitely more complicated and dangerous place where everyone is naive and gullible. It means rather then assume the E-mail promising you millions is a hoax, you decide to give it a chance before making a decision. It means when the guy dressed in a ski mask starts following you, that you make no assumptions of danger.

When I see a girl wearing all black I say "Hot damn sexy mama!". But that's just me.

You can't eliminate stereotypes, without eliminating all distinctions of race, class, religion, uniqueness, etc.

You also can't eliminate stereotypes without pretty much isolating yourself from a young age, considering that's when we start to pick them up. If we are isolated we won't form opinions based on what other people have put into our head, thus not stereotyping.

you bring up a good point me thinks



+1

ew. -1

it just depends on how you are i guess? i can't lie, i tend to judge people sometimes when i don't even know them, but when i get to know them they are cool. but it's not like that all the time either. if i see a guy with all black, messed up jeans, dirty ass shoes, i'll just think he's dirty and doesn't really care bout how he looks. i'm not trying to be mean, it's just what i think. i got a ton of rocker friends but they are cool rockers. alot of other ones are just plain annoying and just act weird, and don't know when there is a border of being funny, and just being pervetive. and alot of them just talk bout stuff like death, ah i don't like talking bout death nd stuff like that man, its weird. oh well just speaking my mind.

I think that a world without stereotypes would be closer to a perfect world. I honestly cannot think of a single point when a stereotype is positive .

Most Asians are very clever. I don't see that as negative.

But what if there's an asian person that isn't as smart, he/she'll feel pretty terrible.

i personally could not live without them. i need someone to compare everyone to, and they're also really fun to try to make up

But maybe she's a man. You never know. ;D

Anyway, I'm saying if we could get rid of that subconscious thought of a stereotype, what would the world be like. We could still all be different religions or races, no one would just look at your differently about it.



Plus, most Asians I know don't like being automatically being assumed as a genius, and being able to solve every problem.

It's a win-lose situation.

On one hand they can potentially hurt someones feelings (call the amBAAAAAAAAWlance!)

On the other hand the negativity can help us become better people.

Just my 2 cents though.

That's the slice of it basically. The hurting someone's feelings could lead to suicide, getting beaten to death, or school shootings (and other things of the like).

The stereotypes can also help group people and make friends and all that. But if you don't think what you're stereotyped as is you, it's kind of hard to move out.

If someone is mentally unstable enough to shoot someone over their feelings being hurt, they're still going to shoot someone sooner or later even if you don't stereotype them.

In a world with stereotypes, we might classify someone who is mentally unstable as a loner, nerd, or creeper. They won't know that he's mentally unstable, and they won't realize that the kid needs help. Because of that, the kid probably won't get help because he's being threatened by other kids. He/she would probably shoot themselves.

In a world without stereotypes, we would see that the child needs help. The child also wouldn't feel threatened because we aren't beating him up behind the school every day, and would then get help. He/she probably wouldn't shoot themselves either.

you're right its not negative but its still a stereotype, a very presumptuous stereotype at that. you're right the general populations of aisans represented in media are really smart. but that doesn't make them all smart. there are plenty of average schmucks working in china town and i'll tell you something, they aren't all white rednecks.



why do you need someone to compare everyone to? why can't you form your own opinions about the person when you meet them? there are times when i do and don't stereotype people but for the most part i try and lead my own life and make decisions about others on my own.

Stereotypes make me remeber better.

+1

Not all stereotypes are bad. Stereotypes can be good. Humans are wired to see patterns. This is because without patterns we could place ourselves in danger.