tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455277388900637928.post1844245191023340387..comments2024-03-19T02:14:31.704-04:00Comments on <center>OnFiction</center>: Research Bulletin: Harry Potter and the Reduction of PrejudiceKeith Oatleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16419339550879570935noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455277388900637928.post-4727838275763757862014-10-20T11:17:51.942-04:002014-10-20T11:17:51.942-04:00Harry Potter is a mixed bag. It doesn't teach ...Harry Potter is a mixed bag. It doesn't teach tolerance as much as the author's particular blend of tolerance and intolerance. <br /><br />Readers won't, for instance, come away with a favorable view of either journalists, one of Rowling's particular hates, or of the magic world's equivalent of a government bureaucracy. There's no tolerance for either. <br /><br />Even though the novels are centered on a school, teachers come across exaggerated in one way or another. Teachers are wise and brave. They're snide, cruel and evil. They're vain and foolish. But I can't recall a single one that's ordinary.<br /><br />I also wouldn't put much trust in social science research. I once worked in that field, handing their research data. Most of the work was incredibly sloppy, typically surveys, in part because they didn't have the budget for anything better. Social scientist also are nearly as clever as physicists or chemists, so often their research will contain serious flaws, particularly cause and effect relationships.<br /><br />Much is also aimed at predetermined ends, in fitting with the prejudices of the researcher and his profession. All in all, I was glad to exit that job. It disturbed me that people would take serious the kinds of results our researchers were achieving.<br /><br />--Michael W. Perry, co-author of Lily's Ride<br /><br />Inklinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05272203500649628022noreply@blogger.com