I was thinking about the effect of bias in thinking and decision making. It came up in the context of some people indicating they could not vote for Obama for president because he was black, no matter what; a predictable and unfortunate attitude with some in the American South. But it started me thinking about bias in general, where and how much weight it is given in all kinds of thinking, in the process of decision making. Firstly, I was concerned with whether it becomes a factor in evaluation, whether it is included, inappropriately, in a list of concerns which lead to a decision. That would be bad enough but what if it serves as a filter, to block the receipt of otherwise relevant information never let into the process of weighing facts and making choices on a rational basis? I was watching a TV show, book reviewing, and I decided I didn't like the necktie worn by the lecturer. It was a skimpy, pale, stripy bow tie, an utterly silly looking thing and as I looked at it, the words of the lecturer seemed to fade. Was this merely an absurd fashion bias on my part or perhaps my questioning why anyone would wear such a tie and whether the choice of wearing such a tie reflected on the quality of the judgment-making ability of the wearer, and shouldn't I take that into consideration in weighing, or even accepting the quality of his opinion, downgrade his believability or even reject everything he has to say out of hand because of his flawed judgment in necktie selection? ...more

August 11, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Because he had gone to the shop since 1974, it made sense to Kevin Pytlak to take over ownership of Happy Hobo Trains in 2003. ...more

June 7, 2008

Saturday is my day to shop for food and other household supplies. ...more

June 4, 2008

Because he had gone to the shop since 1974, it made sense to Kevin Pytlak to take over ownership of Happy Hobo Trains in 2003. ...more

June 4, 2008

Here are two words that can get people so riled up you would think you had insulted their mama: tax time. ...more

December 30, 2007

Detectives hope surveillance video of a trip to McDonald's will lead to a couple of auto-burglary suspects. ...more

December 12, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Randy Rochelle. ...more

November 27, 2007