Dear Twitter debaters,
In these pandemic days, one thing we should learn is that expertise and experience are worth something. They are worth considering, I hope you agree, when weighing arguments related to illness, disorder, medicine, and therapy. 1/
In these pandemic days, one thing we should learn is that expertise and experience are worth something. They are worth considering, I hope you agree, when weighing arguments related to illness, disorder, medicine, and therapy. 1/
Please consider this insight for a moment before the next time you are tempted to respond "Argument from authority and therefore invalid!" 2/
Let's imagine you are a biologist--someone who studies insects. As an insect biologist, let's imagine you have never done research with human subjects or been responsible for someone's medical treatment. Easy to imagine, right? 3/
Let's say you, an insect biologist, have become curious about some questions regarding trans health that have received big news coverage. You've read a few research articles that were part of these discussions, but you've never been part of a research project on trans health. 4/
So far so easy to imagine.
Here's where I need you to stretch your imagination. Stretch it big, into absurd territory.
You decide that medical researchers and practitioners have got something wrong! You have better ideas! You go on podcasts. You tweet. You write an op-ed. 5/
Here's where I need you to stretch your imagination. Stretch it big, into absurd territory.
You decide that medical researchers and practitioners have got something wrong! You have better ideas! You go on podcasts. You tweet. You write an op-ed. 5/
Other academics criticize your op-ed. Perhaps your reaction is to declare that they made a "category error." Maybe you keep claiming that you didn't say what they noticed you saying. Or, you ignore key questions that different academics pose to you. 6/
medium.com/@KatjaT/a-pinc…
medium.com/@KatjaT/a-pinc…
You, an insect biologist, keep wildly speculating about what's wrong with current best therapeutic practices. You bring up names of disorders that aren't recognized disorders. You do a Google Scholar search on "social contagion" and start using the term. 7/
After you've done so loudly and persistently--your follower count has jumped by thousands and more people are listening to you--you should not be surprised that an actual medical researcher, a resident physician who works in adult and child psychiatry, criticizes you. 8/
He criticizes you by saying, "Here are my credentials for talking about this. Your claims are misleading and you misinform people."
What do you say?
Imagine saying this. 9/
What do you say?
Imagine saying this. 9/
I am sure you, dear readers, know exactly why a physician and researcher in trans mental health might start out this particular criticism by stating his credentials.
If not, I'll tell you: he did it exactly because our insect biologist has none in relation to these issues. 10/
If not, I'll tell you: he did it exactly because our insect biologist has none in relation to these issues. 10/
Here is where I remind everyone: "Argument from authority!" is not the powerful rebuttal some think it is. 11/
Thank you for your attention, devoted readers.
Wash your hands. Practice social distancing for the time being.
But continue to be radically accepting of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
Sincerely,
Woke Sauron
12/
Wash your hands. Practice social distancing for the time being.
But continue to be radically accepting of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
Sincerely,
Woke Sauron
12/
PS: Some might not know the history of my tongue-in-cheek title. Here ya go.
PPS: I mentioned above that Colin Wright has repeatedly commented on medical issues in ways that, one could say, amount to misinformation. Here's a thread on that.
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