tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817425618078186784.post5846233230317281020..comments2023-07-28T03:04:08.277-05:00Comments on The Singular Scientist: A Perfect StormDrDoyennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01923421604660796579noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817425618078186784.post-66447660578603800512011-06-08T16:57:23.800-05:002011-06-08T16:57:23.800-05:00I don't expect everyone to agree with everythi...I don't expect everyone to agree with everything I say and am happy to post contrasting opinions. However, several statements by Swamp Thing are not accurate. <br /><br />In the event that my post was not clear in its content or intent, I will clarify my opinions about the issues this reader raised:<br /><br />1) I did not apply "false confidence" behavior to males only. Throughout the post, I referred to "people", "someone", "co-workers", etc. in making general statements about both Dunning-Kruger and Imposter Effects. <br /> <br />2) The impetus for writing this post was based on recent interactions with both male and female acquaintances who seem to suffer from false confidence. Much of what I write is based on specific experiences, but I change the details substantially to avoid identification of the person who inspired the post (some readers know my identity and could conceivably guess). I selected the anonymous "old boys network" in this case because I did not want to provide personal details to illustrate this idea. <br /><br />3) I never said that males were "genetically predisposed" to Dunning-Kruger. The first example I used was students who believe they are "A students" despite making Cs routinely. I did not designate gender in this example (nor did I have a gender in mind). In my experience, however, more males do fit the Dunning-Kruger description than females (in science). That statement should not be interpreted to mean that I think only men (or most men) suffer from false confidence. I speculated that a female (with Imposter issues) in a workplace dominated by an "old boys network" would be in double trouble. My post ended with the statement that if such a woman instead worked in a supportive environment, she might be less susceptible to feeling like an imposter.<br /><br />4) I never claimed special powers to diagnose psychological pathology based on gender. However, I do have a special perspective, having dealt with discrimination, sexual harassment, and other gender-based issues first-hand (both as a victim and as a mentor of victims).<br /><br />5) Nothing in my post (or previous posts) was aggressive or disrespectful.<br /><br />6) I've never stated or implied that my blog is for "women only" or that I'm uninterested in the opinion of male readers (this is a common misconception about women's support groups). However, I do write from the perspective of a female, and most of my readers are female (I'm guessing based on comments). Just because I offer an example of bad behavior by a male doesn't mean that I'm painting all men with that brush. It's because that was the experience that inspired the post.<br /><br />Some readers may not agree with or like my particular perspective, and I may not always state my case as clearly as I might. Expressing one's full thoughts and feelings about a complex topic in a short essay is not easy, and there is always the danger that others will misinterpret your words (whether due to limitations of the writing and/or to the reader's misinterpretation). <br /><br />If a reader disagrees with something I've said, I would hope they point out where our opinions diverge (in a rational manner)...instead of stomping off in a huff.DrDoyennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01923421604660796579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817425618078186784.post-46215513536424620782011-06-08T02:09:51.403-05:002011-06-08T02:09:51.403-05:00What an eye-opening post!
The "Old Boys Netw...What an eye-opening post!<br /><br />The "Old Boys Network" only persists where it's tolerated. As the "old boys" continue to retire, the number of such workplaces is decreasing. If you are in such a place where this culture exists, I'm sorry. It's not the problem that it was even 10 years ago. Hopefully it will continue to decrease! <br /><br />I'd like to know the scientific basis for your claim that being a male who works with males is causative to incompetence and baseless ego-inflation. Thanks for letting me know that I am genetically predisposed to these types of issues. <br /><br />I also fail to see how YOUR gender directly gives you some clairvoyant ability to observe and diagnose false confidence syndromes in male employees. Your statement on the topic was pretty aggressive.<br /><br />It's really disappointing to see such broadly brushed statements about gender.......on a blog dedicated to gender equality. I have visited this blog for a few years to get another take (there are not that many wetland scientist blogs) on workplace issues, and I can't imagine I will be coming back to read. <br /><br />And based on this post, that's not important to you in your search for gender equality, because "after all, I'm just a man."Kirk Mantayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06556560258304201823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817425618078186784.post-88839110472086820092011-05-11T15:03:56.157-05:002011-05-11T15:03:56.157-05:00Very interesting stuff. I'm glad I found you....Very interesting stuff. I'm glad I found you. I'll stop by often.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09185745039466625025noreply@blogger.com