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  1. #16
    Mr Self Important Senior Member Beskar's Avatar
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    Default Re: egalitarianism

    To be fair, genetic differences can result in 'sub-optimum' outcomes, but the problem with this is that it puts too much emphasis on 'being the very best' and being honest, do we need to be the 'very best' ? Let's change it up with examples, there are things Hooahguy is better than me at, there are things I am better than him at. Does this make Hooahguy or me 'inferior' in a condescending sense? Our differences don't stop us from being productive members of our societies.

    I am going to be anecdotal here, but I am going to give an example of someone I know with Down Syndrome. As you may know, people with Down Syndrome really do roll unlucky on the genetics chart, typically demonstrating learning difficulties and integration in society.

    'Jack' (pseudonym) was born with Down Syndrome in 1992, he struggled through mainstream schooling, often being in the extra development classes. He was bullied and told he would be a burden to society and he will amount to nothing. However, Jack's story demonstrates quite the opposite, once he finished school with barely any GCSE's, he was thrown into the world of work. After struggling to get hired due to obvious discrimination, he managed to enrol into a Super Market through an equality scheme. Here he is a sales representative, he does work welcoming people in the store, he often shows them to their products, finding out if any are in stock around the back if they are not on the shelves, and he is often helping customers pack the groceries in bags during busy periods to speed up times at checkouts. He is known for his punctuality in the work place, being very friendly and approachable to customers and staff alike, receiving various customer rewards for his service.

    Whilst that sounds like a heartfelt story, this is actually backed up economically too, rather than simply a 'pat on the back'. When he was enrolled through the scheme, the government subsided his placement jointly with the supermarket chain. After a couple of months, he become a fully paid member of the store even though they didn't have to. A year later, he is now one of the highest paid (probably highest) sales representatives in the area, because the chain is actually concerned about other stores stealing him and really want to keep him!

    He will probably never be able to get into management, or be the 'best of the best in rocket science', but this is someone who was dealt a bad hand genetically, penalised for such, but when given the opportunity to prove themselves, did so in spades, showing they are the best in what they do.

    So I don't know, I believe in equality, I believe that people like Jack has opportunities to be equal, for Jack to demonstrate not only he is 'a equal member of our society' but also be allowed to demonstrate that is he one of the best examples of what our society has to offer.

    I guess could always go the argument of his oppressors: "Jack is worthless, better if he was not born", but honestly? I am personally glad someone like Jack was born, I rather have someone with his talents and warm friendly deposition than one of those 'haters'.

    Edit:
    I was actually remembered that I saw a video like this too with examples of people like Jack.
    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    Last edited by Beskar; 09-16-2015 at 18:01.
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