Reader Submitted: Is There Really That Much Hate On Furries?

 

Recently, the Newser published a commentary about the question of how much discrimination there was against those who prefer furry avatars. We would get a few responses. Among them was a reader-submitted article by Zada Bury, best known for her Drivers in SL videos. She would have a few things to say about the issue.

 

Read Zada's reader submission in People. 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - Fireside Chat, Panel - "Bias"

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Fireside Chat - "Bias"

Saturday September 25

10 AM to 11 AM

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/161/99/24

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Panel - "Bias"

Saturday September 25

9PM SL time

Whether it’s in areas like data forecasting or classifying images, computer algorithms are vulnerable to bias. In areas like the medical field or cybersecurity, where the employment of artificial intelligence is being explored, bias can be severely detrimental. How can bias be measured, how can it be prevented? What are the consequences and threats to society it may introduce?

Panel Host – Karthik Prathaban

Auditorium

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32
 

Announcement: This Week in The Science Circle - “The Common and Misplaced Racism of... "

“The Common and Misplaced Racism of David Duke, Hitler, and Darwin: The Value of Diversity in Human Interactions”

by Dr. Stephen L. Gasior

"Racism is the worst idea ever in its impact on the evolution of the human species and its longterm survival. Yet, it is a persistent and strong perspective that has early roots in our evolution that has continued through the Enlightenment, the Scientific Revolution, and modern day. This talk covers the biological basics of human genetic diversity as it pertains to race and some historical perspectives of notable individuals and how that has impacted culture. A more in-depth presentation on population genetics and interesting genetic traits will finish the discussion with a thought on how a rational anti-racism is beneficial in the continued evolution of Homo sapience."

January 13th 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST

For more information, click here: https://www.sciencecircle.org/events/2018-01-13/

The Science Circle (61/126/32) 

Commentary: Judging on Apperances

In real life this week, the United States says goodbye to President Obama, the country's first from an ethnic minority. While he accomplished a few things, such as the "Affordable Health Care Act," his term was also noted for initial hopes of a nation finally free of racism dashed as his political opponents were charged with bias and in turn his most vocal supporters were accused of it as well. In Second Life, as we can all look like whatever we want to, one might think an avatar's appearance wouldn't be a big deal. As it turns out, there are a few places that are likely to hassle you for being the wrong kind. But how widespread is the problem?

Read more in People.