Much like actual dark matter, "social dark matter" reveals the equation has somehow been fudged: "it must be there, because if it's not, we're wrong" is never a solid line of reasoning.
In this case I think the manner in which humans and human societies operate is being radically misrepresented. A top down power analysis can easily show us that, for example, more people self identify as gay and trans in the current year vs half a century ago, because there are more political and social incentives to do so now vs half a century ago.
Seeking these hidden pockets of social power that are known only to their esoteric adherents is not going... (read more)
Much like actual dark matter, "social dark matter" reveals the equation has somehow been fudged: "it must be there, because if it's not, we're wrong" is never a solid line of reasoning.
In this case I think the manner in which humans and human societies operate is being radically misrepresented. A top down power analysis can easily show us that, for example, more people self identify as gay and trans in the current year vs half a century ago, because there are more political and social incentives to do so now vs half a century ago.
Seeking these hidden pockets of social power that are known only to their esoteric adherents is not going... (read more)