The Dunning Krueger Effect and transphobia
After attempting to have a discussion about transgender people in sports, my biggest initial observation was the sheer mass of people saying the exact same thing. To a large extent, I’m sure some of these were bots.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40211010
However, that still leaves around 500 or so people who made a total of three points.
Point 1. Transgender women are inherently stronger than a biological woman (which I’m guessing is a woman made of carbon).
Response: No….you’re wrong.
In general, the differences are minuscule and do not support the hypothesis that transgender women have an unfair advantage.
Although some studies do find advantages in transgender women, the authors explicitly caution the against blanket bans or excessive restrictions on transgender women entering sports with other women.
Point 2: Trans people should have their own category.
Response: No, segregation isn’t a good thing. People used to rally against allowing Black people to play alongside white people due to the same bullshit theory that they had some kind of genetic advantage.
https://slate.com/technology/2008/12/race-genes-and-sports.html
Point 3: It doesn’t matter for amateur athletes, but if you’re a professional, you should only be allowed to compete with your assigned gender at birth.
Response 1: You are appealing to a reasonable middle ground within the scope of this discussion, but support people who want to ban trans teenagers from playing volleyball with their peers. The middle ground you’re appealing to is dead on arrival.
Response 2: No, you are not smarter than the NCAA….
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2022/1/27/transgender-participation-policy.aspx
I’m sure that upon posting this, I’ll get the same 3 comments all over again, but ultimately, that’s just a sad reflection of the literacy rates in this country.
DISCUSSION INSTRUCTIONS HERE:
Interestingly enough, not a single one of the comments against trans people in sports was able to quote a statement from the articles I posted and refute it with a reliable source. I’d be fascinated to see someone do that, so I’ll respond to any comment that actually does (with the understanding that I work nights) and will be asleep in a few hours.
If you’re coming on here with the same transphobic comments and half baked ideas, don’t expect a participation trophy for regurgitating the same old shit. Read some scientific articles and make something out of your life.
My scientific knowledge got me a job in a hazardous chemical plant. I’m gonna finish working with some hydrofluoric acid. It likely will be less toxic than the comment section when I get back.
Edit: So far, not a single person has been able to follow these instructions. I have given some people who halfway followed the instructions the benefit of the doubt. You transphobes are proving that you are functionally illiterate. These are not difficult instructions and even if you have a different linguistic background, there are translation tools available. You have no excuse for the extent of your stupidity other than sheer willpower to maintain it.
Edit again before bed: some people on here did come with valid points. I addressed those, but need to sleep now. By all means, carry on the discussion without me.