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PaperclipPerfector  4d ago (text post)   2081 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for May 25, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I just had my bike kicked out from under me by a pedestrian while I was stopped in a cross walk. I shouldn't have been in the cross walk (and I won't in the future, at least for the next week), but I also would have happily moved if he asked, or he could have, you know, walked one foot to the right and went around me. My bike weighs about 10 pounds so I was fine, but because he was black (and I'm white) I was seething with racial animosity on the rest of my ride home. On one level I recognize that this is obviously irrational (and racist), but at the same time I have had so many negative interactions with black people in this city (Baltimore) that I'm starting to wonder if there maybe is some truth in the HBD/race realist positions.

but because he was black (and I'm white) I was seething with racial animosity on the rest of my ride home. On one level I recognize that this is obviously irrational (and racist)

That's the most problematic part about a black man impulsively assaulting you with zero consequences: you becoming slightly more racist. Hopefully he enjoyed the assault more than you were upset by it, thus increasing the net happiness in the world.

Noticing which demographic is disproportionately responsible for acts of animosity and negative interactions—and updating your priors accordingly—is the opposite of irrational. Your feelings are valid.

I have had so many negative interactions with black people in this city (Baltimore) that I'm starting to wonder if there maybe is some truth in the HBD/race realist positions.

Just starting? Living in Baltimore is like nightmare difficulty setting for trying to remain an un-Noticer. In years past, an amusing example would be the topic of "squeegee boys" on /r/Baltimore. There occurred a sporadic but recurring three-way civil war between those who Noticed and found them all so tiresome, those who found them all so tiresome but refused to Notice, and those who insisted they were good boys just having some fun and helping their families make a living (you should be a Decent Human Being and tip extra to show gratitude for the mostly consensual squeegeeing experience).

Hopefully he enjoyed the assault more than you were upset by it, thus increasing the net happiness in the world.

Do you think the bike cuck got himself another bike and posts at the Motte?

Hopefully he enjoyed the assault more than you were upset by it, thus increasing the net happiness in the world.

Caught me off guard and made me chuckle. Impressive, very nice.

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