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.
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 pocke... (read more)