Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Real world examples tend not to fit narratives perfectly.

Perhaps in many cases they involve non-students, or are off-campus, or don't sound as horrific (even if they are), or they are investigated seriously already (without help from a journalist), or the perpetrator or victim might reinforce a stereotype that the journalist doesn't want to contribute to.

It doesn't mean the stories are less bad, or that there isn't a problem, just that the journalist has nothing to gain by writing about them. And some might actually contradict the politically-correct solutions being proposed.



Can you give some examples for these non-fitting cases? It would be interesting to hear as a non-US citizen since this debate seems so cryptic to me.


The ideal narrative for this sort of thing is that it be committed against some respectable person who wasn't involved in any risky behavior, and that it be perpetrated by some wealthy or privileged person who then sees no consequences. Because if that happens (and that's pretty much what the story laid forth as its narrative), then it's an issue we all need to be terrified by and indignant about. If, on the other hand, the person was drunk out of their mind and targeted while walking alone: well that's something I can avoid by not engaging in risky behavior, so I can more easily move on with my life.

There's a similar line of thinking in public vs. private schools, where some proponents of public schools want all private schools banned because, without those escape routes, those with means would put their resources toward fixing the public schools rather than running from the problem.

For what it's worth, UVA isn't exactly great at this stuff (I grew up in the area and my wife is a grad), but the article was more than a bit unfair (even before it was revealed that the entire thing was a fabrication.)


There is nothing in the world we all need to be terrified about. You might need to stop reading huffpo


Do you think I didn't answer parent's question? I thought I had, but if you disagree, you should address that more directly. As to the agenda you think I'm pushing: I'm sorry I didn't adequately allude to my sarcasm. I guess I just thought it was too hyperbolic to be taken any other way.


Sarcasm is an ambiguous tool in text. I admit to an extreme current sensitivity to being told to be terrified by normal occurrences. My apologies.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2027 batch! Applications are open till November 2.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: