BAND June 2012: When Bias is a Good Thing
B.A.N.D., Bloggers’ Alliance of Nonfiction Devotees, launched in July and is being run by a small group of bloggers as a way to promote the love of nonfiction amount bloggers. Each month a discussion question will be put forward giving everyone and anyone the chance to respond. If you are interested in hosting a month do check out the tumblr site and let us know!
This month we have Marilyn, who blogs at Me, you, and books, hosting. She wants to know:
I love the topic this month and have been thinking about it quite a bit since it was first posted. I definitely think that a particular opinion or subjective response can often add much to the discussion or topic. Even if we just call it bias, many times this bias is a good thing.
As an example, reading, say, Paul Farmer‘s books on global health and systemic injustices he clearly starts off with the premise that we all deserve basic health care, that where you live shouldn’t determine your access, and so on. Some may consider this a bias or a ridiculous opinion and be against his books for that reason. I agree with him, however, and think that rather than focusing the debate on why access to care should be a right, we should instead talk about how to implement that right and how we can improve access worldwide. Another example might be Laura Eldridge with In Our Control – which lays out all the contraceptive options and history behind them. Some might say that assuming we should have access to contraceptives is a biased opinion.
In some cases the bias may be against me, such as America Alone by Mark Steyn. While it’s certainly easier to read books where you agree with the author’s opinion, I think it is also important to read books where you disagree, because they can help you understand where others are coming from and also solidify your own thoughts on the matter. That being said, I would much prefer to read a book by, for example, a Muslim woman about her experiences with the religion than read a book by a non-Muslim Canadian or American talking about how terrible the religion is. The one bias comes from understanding and from being inside. The other comes from listening to too many terrible talk shows!
While my examples may be rather extreme or seem logical, they are still a bias in a way. Any nonfiction that seeks to further discussion about a point of interest without rehashing the basics must assume that readers both:
- Have some basic understanding of the premise or idea, and
- Have formed an opinion in line with the author or at least can understand the point from where the author comes.
As a last thought, I think it is almost impossible to come to any subject without a bias of some sort. Scientists researching may sometimes be able to have this objectivity, but when we are talking about human issues, we have all been raised in different environments and our backgrounds colour our knowledge of or ideas of a topic. These biases or subjective opinions only enhance the end literature and studies, if we can embrace and learn from all of them, and if they at least consider the humanity of everyone and keep from resorting to hate.
What about you – do you think bias can be legitimate and welcome? Any specific examples you can think of? Go leave your thoughts on her post!
Prior BAND topics:
- Kim of Sophisticated Dorkiness hosted the first discussion, asking What’s your favorite type of nonfiction? in July.
- In August I led the discussion, asking How did you get into nonfiction?
- In September Cass wanted to know about nonfiction audiobooks, asking if we had listened and enjoyed.
- In October Ash asked what our favorite nonfiction anthologies were.
- In November Amanda asked if we read nonfiction to help support a cause.
- In December Erin guest hosts from Erin Reads and asked how we determine truth in the nonfiction that we read.
- In January Joy asked what books we’ve used to support reading goals or resolutions.
- In February Kim hosted again and asked what nonfiction we don’t like.
- In March we took a month off.
- In April Care asked what our favorite quirky nonfiction titles and authors were.
- In May, Sheila asked what nonfiction do you hate to admit that you enjoy?
Really interesting topic. I wrote a post yesterday about framing arguments, and one of the things I’ve always tried to reinforce in teaching writing/argumentation/persuasion is to be aware that the evidence/support we include or exclude is part of that bias. So I’d say whether or not something strives for objectivity and has less evident bias, it’s still there.
I’m so impressed that you read books whose main points you disagree with. For me, it’s next to impossible because I get so upset. But I would also say I tend to read more narrative non-fiction than political or anything, so it’s probably partly just the subject matter that decides that.
Thanks for exploring the topic.
I’m going to have to make sure I read your post Jenn! I’m way too behind in blog reading these days, shameful
A great point about the need to fully support the opinion.
I have to admit that I don’t read a ton of them… and usually they just get me all angry and worked up… but I have learned things from them too sometimes which is great. Mark – at maphead.wordpress.com – is amazing at reading books that he disagrees with, I am always amazed at how well he does it, a favourite of mine for that reason because I always want to do better with it
I tend to read history non-fiction so this comment is reflective of that. I am fine with biased books as long as the evidence supporting the opinion is sound and the author is able to convince me of their viewpoint – I’m not saying they have to change my mind, but they have to convince me that their opinion is worthy of consideration through the sources they use. I can’t stand people preaching a view based on weak or untrustworthy evidence, or when they mess with the context of evidence to get the result they want. This applies whether the author is saying something I agree with or not. You can have bias whilst being objective – it’s important to go through opposing evidence and viewpoints and say why it works or doesn’t. I agree that it is impossible to approach a subject without any bias, we all have opinions.
Yes!! So true Charlie. If they can’t convince me, I always feel their bias is a less valid one, because clearly the supports aren’t there for it. And the evidence to convince can’t just be that some other crazies think the same
And yes, definitely applies to all biases whether I agree or not. You wrote it so well, thanks!!
Nice response! I especially agree with your point about reading authors whose starting assumptions are different from our own. For instance, I recently caught myself avoiding reading a book on genetic engineering because the author clearly started from the assumption that the whole thing was a bad idea. I work on improving a method for genetic engineering, so I assumed I’d disagree with everything she said. Instead, I found that she makes some awesome points about how inadequate our current regulations of genetic engineering in food crops are. In this case, reading something from an opposing viewpoint ended up being incredibly worthwhile
That’s really interesting DoingDewey! And I think a great point. Even when people disagree, they sometimes bring up things that we really do agree with, just from a different angle. Or show us how we could improve our own position – like in your example even if it is a good thing, your position would be improved with better regulations, perhaps. Fascinating! The book sounds interesting too
(As does your job!!)