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=Mar 7, 2010=

~bias~

Taking a breather from the Clazziquai project, I have entitled this post 'bias'.
What is bias? Bias is a particular tendency or inclination, according to dictionary.com. In short, bias = prejudice.
Bias is shown in many forms. Even though we may not encounter racial or sexual bias within Singapore, many other subtle forms of bias are evident.
Firstly, parental bias. Picture this scene: you and your sibling are fighting over who gets to use the computer, then a parent comes in and mediates, then allows your sibling to use the computer first. When you question the reason, it is always vague and/or repetitive. Somehow parents get away with this all the time, be it on a small scale or an outright prejudiced viewpoint.
Secondly, meritocratic bias. This is often performed by teachers to the highest degree of perfection. In essence, this bias is: if your grades are good, I like you; else I hate you.
Simple but deadly. Many a student have come under the shelling of teachers for no reason in particular, or some rubbish made up on the spot like "You ask too many questions." The whole aim of being a student is to learn, so what is wrong with asking questions? The teacher shrugs away this comment and you are left without any closure. Indeed, good results are often the motive for bias.
Thirdly, impressionistic bias. It happens to all of us: we judge some stranger, and this first impression fills up most of our brain space dedicated to this person, and we are therefore biased based on it. For example if you see somebody sitting on a reserved seat on a bus, you may think that he is selfish and uncaring, and if you end up becoming acquaintances this idea may stick. Although first impressions are usually highly erroneous, few people would want to acknowledge this fact.
Of course to add to this list there are racial and sexual bias, but I will not be elaborating on that.
What is important is that bias is a vice. It gives different people unequal and unfair treatment. If you want somebody to accomplish something, they should be on the same platform or level as everyone else. Personal opinions are just that, personal and subjective. If they influence your fairness then something has gone terribly wrong. FFT.

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