I think we have quantifier problems.

It's the difference between "for all" and "there exists". There are some engineers who are are misfits and are bad at sports. I guess all it takes is one example (there exists) to prove such things. I'll sacrifice myself and claim I'm the example.

I think of stereotyping as basically caricacturizing. Many stereotypes develop from actual occurrences or qualities, but they are terribly exaggerated.

I don't think stereotypes are always bad. It makes our overwhelming jobs as social creatures a bit easier. It takes time and effort to get to know people, and judging them based on your previous experiences can help. Say you're going to volunteer at a retirement community/nursing home — you expect the residents to be nice old people, right? Going to a benefit at the Ritz-Carlton might put you into contact with people who like discussing art, wine or what's playing at the Muny next week. Entering into the "bad" parts of the inner city, you might expect to run into some shady characters.

In those cases, using stereotypes may actually prepare you for your encounters. If you are in the inner city, you might be well-served to lock the doors on your car and hide your radar detector and CDs. The trouble people get into is using stereotypes as their only means by which they judge others. Despite the stereotypes, your car could easily be broken into while you are sipping Chardonnay at the Ritz, and it might go untouched while parked somewhere in the inner city.

This discussion only serves to remind me that dumb people really screw things up for the rest of the world.

Hey, in High School, I knew a walking Goth stereotype. She'd wear Hot Topic (which is, strangely enough, owned by the Gap) skirts and legging that would make her look like the wicked witch of the west... partially because of her long black hair and overblackened eyes. But, she was the only one I knew like her. Nobody else at school at a purse shaped like a coffin, or an ankh necklace.

However, I found out long ago that there are so many people that don't fit into catagories. I know that I didn't. My friend Alicia didn't. The year our marching band swept the competition in Virginia Beach, Alicia dyed her hair purple just so the band teacher didn't have to do it alone. She'd wear a purple hawaiian shirt with orange pants... and somehow it would suit her.

Stereotypes exist on the outside. I could say that my friend Kristen is a cheerleader... or I could say that she's a dynamic person who was leader of her girl scout troop and has had her wedding planned since she was ten.

I could say that I'm a livejournaller... or I could say that I'm an online collumnist. Take your pick.

I'm from Wisconsin, and sterotypes be damned, I love cheese.

"Girls aren't bad at science at math."

Despite Chris's example to the contrary, not all engineers have problems with spelling and grammar.

But it should be noted that all girls are, in fact, bad at science and math. Or at least they're not as good as boys.

(I'm kidding, of course.)

Ah, it's always nice to have a visit from the proofreading police. When one posts frequently with more than one sentence, those typos often find their way in... ;-)

Posting often becomes a bit easier with the aid of an INTERNET CONNECTION, something which I have not had at home ever since that big storm on Monday, July 5. So quit with yer snarky comments. If you want me to post more often, maybe you should try helping me harass SBC.

I'm unfortunately unable to harass SBC, as they control my phone and computer access, and therefore my life. If they hear I'm speaking ill of them even in passing, they may decide to charge me an arbitrary service fee or usage tax on my next bill.