The current wording implicitly suggests that the normative human is sexually attracted to women, whereas in fact this is only true of approximately half the population. I understand that this interpretation is not what was explicitly intended, but clear language is important, especially if one is going to hold forth on “unconscious map computation”.
So, I agree with this criticism, but you really should have led with the criticism, instead of starting out with the impudent demand (well, “request”—you did say “please”) that Liron change his presentation, and then only explaining the rationale when questioned. A criticism that is stated can then be argued with (I bet you didn’t anticipate that Liron was presenting to a boys’ group!), whereas a request backed by an unstated rationale (of which it is assumed that “everyone knows”) is more likely to be functioning as a social threat: “Do as I say, or I’ll attack your moral character in the ensuing interaction (rather than arguing in good faith).”
Understanding these dynamics may turn out to be surprisingly relevant to your interests—although you probably won’t understand what I’m talking about for another ten years, two months.
The current wording implicitly suggests that the normative human is sexually attracted to women
The wording “you might feel aroused anyway” suggests no such thing. “Might” carries no implication that P>0.5, merely that P>0.
The next sentence “So your feeling of horniness is not connected to what’s in reality”, however does tend to imply the default is sexual attraction to women. It’s also untrue: the pixels on the screen are real, they just happen not to be a different reality (Jessica Alba being in the room).
The wording “you might feel aroused anyway” suggests no such thing.
I noticed this too, but in context I don’t think it’s the most natural reading. It seems as if the audience is assumed by default to be composed of heterosexual males, with the word might acknowledging that they might or might not be aroused by this particular picture at this particular time. See notes to slide twenty-nine: “You stealth-compute ‘sexiness’ as a property of Jessica alba by unconsciously evaluating signs of her health and fertility in her appearance.”
It’s also untrue: the pixels on the screen are real,
Here I’m inclined to defend the original phrasing. Criticism in the service of inclusiveness and clear language is one thing; literalist nitpicking is another. When we say “The picture isn’t real,” I think it’s rather clear from context that we mean “the picture is not a veridical rendering of reality,” not “the picture does not exist.”
On the other hand—it is worth pointing out that men viewing pornography should not be said to be making a mistake (as is suggested by speaking of a “feeling of horniness {being} not connected to what’s in reality”). The men know perfectly well that it’s only a photograph, they just don’t care. Why would they or should they? Humans are adaptation-executers, not fitness-maximizers.
All this mess could be sidestepped entirely by using “sunset/beautiful” or “chocolate/tasty” rather than “Jessica Alba/sexy,” although I imagine some would argue that this would damage the presentation by making it less entertaining.
The current wording implicitly suggests that the normative human is sexually attracted to women, whereas in fact this is only true of approximately half the population. I understand that this interpretation is not what was explicitly intended, but clear language is important, especially if one is going to hold forth on “unconscious map computation”.
So, I agree with this criticism, but you really should have led with the criticism, instead of starting out with the impudent demand (well, “request”—you did say “please”) that Liron change his presentation, and then only explaining the rationale when questioned. A criticism that is stated can then be argued with (I bet you didn’t anticipate that Liron was presenting to a boys’ group!), whereas a request backed by an unstated rationale (of which it is assumed that “everyone knows”) is more likely to be functioning as a social threat: “Do as I say, or I’ll attack your moral character in the ensuing interaction (rather than arguing in good faith).”
Understanding these dynamics may turn out to be surprisingly relevant to your interests—although you probably won’t understand what I’m talking about for another ten years, two months.
Reading this comment and figuring out what was going on was an interesting (and pleasant) rollercoaster
It seems that this can all be dodged by simply showing Jessica alongside, I don’t know, Brad Pitt or someone. Should take care of most viewers.
The wording “you might feel aroused anyway” suggests no such thing. “Might” carries no implication that P>0.5, merely that P>0.
The next sentence “So your feeling of horniness is not connected to what’s in reality”, however does tend to imply the default is sexual attraction to women. It’s also untrue: the pixels on the screen are real, they just happen not to be a different reality (Jessica Alba being in the room).
I noticed this too, but in context I don’t think it’s the most natural reading. It seems as if the audience is assumed by default to be composed of heterosexual males, with the word might acknowledging that they might or might not be aroused by this particular picture at this particular time. See notes to slide twenty-nine: “You stealth-compute ‘sexiness’ as a property of Jessica alba by unconsciously evaluating signs of her health and fertility in her appearance.”
Here I’m inclined to defend the original phrasing. Criticism in the service of inclusiveness and clear language is one thing; literalist nitpicking is another. When we say “The picture isn’t real,” I think it’s rather clear from context that we mean “the picture is not a veridical rendering of reality,” not “the picture does not exist.”
On the other hand—it is worth pointing out that men viewing pornography should not be said to be making a mistake (as is suggested by speaking of a “feeling of horniness {being} not connected to what’s in reality”). The men know perfectly well that it’s only a photograph, they just don’t care. Why would they or should they? Humans are adaptation-executers, not fitness-maximizers.
All this mess could be sidestepped entirely by using “sunset/beautiful” or “chocolate/tasty” rather than “Jessica Alba/sexy,” although I imagine some would argue that this would damage the presentation by making it less entertaining.
I also note that using a photoshopped image (or playing the Dove natural beauty youtube thingy) would convey the point even more strongly.