Race/racism myth and hoax

the terministic screen bias

You can never solve a problem that doesn't exist except in your mind and the minds of those who believe like you. All your beliefs stand in the way of insight.

Racism, bigotry, and prejudice are all interconnected concepts, each with its own unique meaning and implications. Understanding these interconnections can provide a deeper insight into the complex dynamics of discrimination and intolerance.

Racism refers to the belief that certain races are inherently superior or inferior to others and the discrimination and mistreatment of individuals based on their perceived race. Racism involves a systemic and institutionalized power dynamic that privileges certain races over others, often leading to unequal access to resources and opportunities.

Bigotry refers to an intolerance or prejudice towards people with different beliefs, opinions, or lifestyles. It can be directed towards individuals or groups based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. Bigotry involves a closed-mindedness and an unwillingness to accept diversity or difference.

Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes towards individuals or groups based on race, religion, or other characteristics. Prejudice can be positive or negative, but it often involves a stereotype or generalization not based on personal experience or knowledge.

In summary, racism involves systemic discrimination based on race, bigotry is intolerance towards difference, and prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes towards individuals or groups based on their characteristics.

There is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that there are any other intelligent races on planet Earth or elsewhere in the universe. The existence of extraterrestrial life is still a topic of speculation and research, but no conclusive proof has been found to date. Therefore, as far as we know, humans are the only intelligent race on Earth.

Racism is a belief system that asserts that certain races are inherently superior or inferior to others and that individuals can be judged based on their race. Racism can manifest in many different ways, including discrimination in employment, housing, and education, prejudice in social interactions, and bias in institutional practices. It can be expressed through individual attitudes and actions, as well as through systemic and institutionalized practices that perpetuate inequality and disadvantage certain racial groups. Racism can have severe negative impacts on individuals and communities, including limiting access to resources and opportunities, perpetuating stereotypes and prejudices, and causing psychological and emotional harm. Racism is widely recognized as a significant social problem that requires ongoing efforts to address and combat.

There is a scientific consensus that there is only one human race. While there are physical differences between individuals and populations, these differences are not significant enough to justify the belief that different races exist. The concept of race is a social construct that has been used historically to justify discrimination and inequality based on physical characteristics such as skin color. However, genetic research has shown more genetic variation within racial groups than between them. Therefore, the idea of multiple human races is not supported by scientific evidence, and it is essential to recognize that all humans belong to the same species and share a common ancestry.

Create an opening for the possibility... One view/terministic screen closes or limits it.

Context refers to the circumstances or setting in which something exists or occurs. It includes the background information, conditions, and events that contribute to the meaning of a particular situation or concept.

On the other hand, perspective refers to a particular viewpoint or way of looking at something. It is shaped by an individual's beliefs, experiences, and values and can influence how they interpret and understand a context. While context provides the facts and details of a situation, perspective adds a subjective layer of interpretation and meaning.

Yes, context and perspective can both be changed. Context can be changed by altering the circumstances or setting in which something exists or occurs. For example, providing additional information or changing the environment can alter the context of a situation. On the other hand, perspective can be changed by limiting an individual's beliefs, experiences, and values. This can be done through education, exposure to new ideas, or seeking alternative viewpoints. For instance, learning about the history and culture of a different community can change your perspective on their actions and beliefs. Changing either context or perspective can lead to a distinct understanding or interpretation of a given situation.

What we see is a function of our terministic screen. In the mid-60s, Kenneth Burke defined a terministic screen or field to label how some people saw one event and others saw something different from the same place. Simply put, a terministic screen is like a pair of glasses we wear, but each pair is unique. Kenneth Burke's terministic screen is a theoretical concept about how language and symbolic systems shape our perceptions of reality. According to Burke, our understanding of the world is filtered through a 'screen' of language, symbols, and cultural norms that determine what we see and how we interpret it. In other words, the words and symbols we use to describe the world around us are not neutral or objective but reflect our biases, values, and assumptions.

This means that different people may see the same situation or event differently, depending on the language and symbols they use to interpret it. For example, a political debate might be framed differently depending on whether it is described as a "clash of ideologies" or a "battle for power." Similarly, the way we talk about social issues like race, gender, and sexuality can have a profound impact on how we understand and address these issues.

Burke's terministic screen is an essential concept for understanding the role of language and communication in shaping our perceptions of the world. By recognizing how our language and symbols shape our understanding of reality, we can become more aware of our biases and work to develop more inclusive and nuanced ways of talking about complex issues. Kenneth Burke's concept of the terministic screen refers to how our understanding and perception of the world are shaped by the language and terms we use. Introduced in his book Language as Symbolic Action in 1966, Burke suggests that the language we employ acts like a filter, or a 'screen,' through which we make sense of the world around us 1.

The terministic screen is composed of the terms through which humans perceive the world, and these terms direct our attention toward specific interpretations and away from others. This means that our choice of words and symbols can reveal, conceal, or deflect our focus and understanding of reality. It's a metaphor for how individuals interpret messages differently based on the construction of symbols and meanings. For example, the word "home" might conjure images of warmth and family for one person, while it might bring up feelings of confinement or obligation for another. The terministic screen is a passive filter and an active framework that influences how we respond to situations and construct our realities.

Burke's theory highlights the power of language in shaping our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. It underscores the idea that our realities are constructed through communication and that our understanding of the world is always mediated by the language we use.

Here's a brief summary of the concept:

Language as a Filter: Just as a camera's lens can focus, distort, or color what it captures, language shapes and colors our perception of reality.

Selective Attention: Our terministic screens cause us to pay attention to certain things while ignoring others based on our language.

Shaping Reality: The terms we use to construct our reality, influencing our thoughts, actions, and interactions with the world.

Understanding the concept of the terministic screen can be crucial in fields like rhetoric, communication, and literary criticism, as it helps explain why different people can have such varied interpretations of the exact text, event, or idea.