fandomhigh | Ethics [Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 1st period]

"Welcome back," Anakin said, striding to the front of the class--where the students' desks had been pushed against the walls--to lean against the blackboard. "Today we move away from Kant and onto an American philosopher named John Rawls. He's a more modern philosopher, and the main tenet of Rawlsianism is that most reasonable principles of justice are those everyone would accept and agree to from a fair position. The question, naturally, then turns into 'what is a fair position' and his use of something called the veil of ignorance that magically makes everyone unaware of their positions in society in order to determine if something is fair or not."

He pushed off of the wall and paced down the center of the room. "Rawls also argues that even meritocracy—a distributive system that rewards effort—doesn’t go far enough in leveling the playing field because those who are naturally gifted will always get ahead. Furthermore, says Rawls, the naturally gifted can’t claim much credit because their success often depends on factors as arbitrary as birth order or how you were raised as a child."

He waved his hand, indicating the students should form a line in the center of the classroom. "Today we'll conduct a little experiment in demonstrating privilege. Afterwards, I want you to discuss if such things matter in Fandom like they do back in your home universes, and if not, why not."

He reached for a piece of paper. "Let's begin."

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Catch up on all the fall break gossip!

Looking privileged.

And massive OCD. My apologies.

The students start lined up on a white piece of tape running down the center of the room. Take steps forward or back as Anakin reads off various descriptions.

"If you were ever called names because of your race, class, ethnicity, species, gender, magical powers, or sexual orientation, take one step back."

Anakin had tweaked the questions slightly for Fandom.

Edited 2011-10-18 15:56 (UTC)

"If your parents were professional: doctors, lawyers, etc., take one step forward."

Edited 2011-10-18 15:52 (UTC)

"If you ever tried to change you appearance, mannerisms, or behavior to avoid being judged or ridiculed, take one step back."

"If there were more than 50 books--or the technological equivalent in your universe--in your house when you grew up, take one step forward."

"If you ever had to skip a meal or were hungry because there was not enough money to buy food when you were growing up, take one step back."

"If you were ever offered a good job because of your association with a friend or family member, take one step forward."

Edited 2011-10-18 15:57 (UTC)

"If one of your parents did not complete high school--or your universe's equivalent of such education--take one step back."

"And finally, if your parents or guardians told you that you could be anything you wanted to be, take one step forward."

Angelica Jones

How far off the line are you? In which direction?

"Mutie" and other such names definitely qualified, so Angelica took a step back.

This one was another easy step back for Angelica.

"In a school full of geniuses, princesses, multi-billionaires and slaves, have we formed a different sort of meritocracy here? Does how you were raised before arriving on the island matter as much here as it does when you return home?"

Who might, for different reasons, not entirely appreciate today's experiment.

Who would have ended up behind the white line if he'd answered the questions he'd asked.

Sorry this took so long!

Peter Wiggin

Ethics. Peter's favorite class. Honest.

He might have been leaning back in his chair just a little before Anakin came in.

To be honest or not to be honest? Well, Peter's 'cover story' for all this time had been that he'd been a shit earlier on in life and now he was doing better, so...

He took a step back.

Was there an option for 'they used to be, but now they're not'?

Peter certainly didn't remember his mom being a grad student - that was years ago. And did his dad's current shitty job really count as anything in that line? He didn't think so.

So he didn't move.

And right back forward again. Was this going to wind up being some stupid thing? Peter tried not to look bored, and mostly succeeded.

Offered? No. His parents had certainly promised him a cushy job because of Ender, but they didn't have any say in that, and Peter would never take anyone up on something earned on Ender's merits anyway, if it came up.

After some deliberation, he chose to stay where he was.

Page 1 of 10

Ethics [Tuesday, October 18, 2011, 1st period]

Chat before class [10/18]

Sign in [10/18]

Experiment in Privilege

Experiment in Privilege-1

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 2

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 3

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 4

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 5

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 6

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 7

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 8

Re: Sign in [10/18]

Re: Experiment in Privilege - Conclusion

Re: Experiment in Privilege-1

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 3

Answer the discussion questions! [10/13]

Talk to the TAs [10/18]

Talk to Anakin [10/18]

OOC

Re: Sign in [10/18]

Re: Chat before class [10/18]

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 3

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 2

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 4

Re: Experiment in Privilege - 6