2026-10-10 11:04 UTC
@Kir@mastodon.uno @isisevrinen@mastodon.chasalin.nl
It's a difficult question. It's also so true that differentiation can be both celebrated and misused.
Misused is what we see in power structures and orders of 'value' (where one is made lesser and the other, more).
But it can also be simply extremely helpful information!
If I go into a library and the books are all in a large heap, I may never find the book I'm looking for on... hm.... zebra's most preferred vegetation (for example). Whereas if someone, with the help of Dewey, has arranged them into rooms, shelves, and places on those shelves I may find the book in five minutes.
Or if I have been given the name 'diabetes' (as a label, by a doctor) and can therefore find out that I need a medicine called 'insulin'. That could also be super helpful.
I think the big question perhaps isn't "are labels good or bad?" but "is this particular use of this label good, bad.. or neutral?"
Replies (1)
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@Kir@mastodon.uno 2026-10-10 11:16
@KatyElphinstone@mas.to @isisevrinen@mastodon.chasalin.nl Mmmh I don't think the criteria should be the use, as much as the level at which a label is applied. My fear is not with label per-se, but with "identity label". If you label me "black-haired person" is harmless. It's just a well-defined and precise information tool. 1/2