I am the Candyman

[sneakypeaky36]

In a recent sociology class, Dr. Lisa Riley spoke about societal norms. Based on the way that parents raise their children, most people are expected to behave in a predetermined fashion, called a social norm. In a presentation done for the class, one small group of students presented findings from research on social norms. They wanted to know

Comments

Defense

[anonymous]

There are a thousand things I could say about this paper, but the one thing I would like to say in this forum-of-types is in defense of mathematicians and scientists everywhere. I would simply like to point out that while such subjects are governed by rules, one can use any variety of these guidelines in order to approach a common solution (if, of course, there is a solution to be had). The art of individuality and self-expression comes in the style of solving such problems. You may like to drive straight to Dodger Stadium, or you may like to drive to San Diego before you get to Dodger Stadium. Though the end result is the same, the process is very different and personalized. This is analogous to science. You may receive the same credit wither way, but one only cares for the credit if they are swayed by the social norms; if not, the points do not matter, so this unique, less-taken road makes all the difference in the world. This alteration in process often gives rise to new problems and new solutions, the source of new ideas, and improved methods of completion. Without this advent of free thinking and innovation in the scientific community, we would still be in the stone age. I would like to suggest that regarding science as a closed-minded field of study is simply just another "social norm" passed down by society. If social normality is to be disregarded, we need to rethink all of our definitions and labels.