Libby Weaver recalls 20,000 books over offensive term.

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#1896319 6-Nov-2017 19:14

Funny, when googling that sentence it seems that she got that from the "Nexus" magazine.

Wikipedia:
Nexus is an Australian-based bi-monthly alternative news magazine. It covers geopolitics and conspiracy theories; health issues, including alternative medicine; future science; the unexplained, including UFOs; Big Brother; and historical revisionism.

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TheMantis

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#1896326 6-Nov-2017 19:48

networkn:
afe66: She's not a medical doctor...

(even so it's an old fashioned term I'm surprised she didn't know it. I remember it being thrown around the primary school yard and I am a similar vintage to her)

It kind of annoys me how people with doctorates are called Doctor. Makes it very misleading esp when those people are giving advice which could be misconstrued as medical advice. I say this knowing it doesn't necessarily reflect the opinion of my wife, a medical doctor.

The title of Doctor is historically linked to those that hold a PhD. Over time it has become associated more with the medical profession than it’s original intent. So in actuality, those who hold a non-medical PhD are using the title in the more correct sense. It’s a weird thing for sure.

freitasm

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#1896331 6-Nov-2017 20:15

A health professional is a MD (Doctor of Medicine) - others are Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Science (ScD). Lawyers can receive a Doctor of Law degree.

Also in some English speaking countries (mostly Commonwealth, including New Zealand), a surgeon can revert to using the title Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms when registered with the College of Surgeons.

Yes, for those who don't understand the distinction it can be confusing. Someone with a PhD writes a book about alternative medicine and sign as "Doctor" (making the "PhD" bit a fineprint) and there you have it...

tdgeek

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#1896334 6-Nov-2017 20:26

It was a mistake.

We could:

1. expect an apology, with detail if required

2. Say, ha, got you, lets cut your legs off

Its funny how a mistake, an error, often seems to be a means to attack. On the other foot, poor me, poor me. Its a harsh world now, not what I grew up in. Courtesy, manners, being good, many seem to need to google these terms.

Rikkitic

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#1896336 6-Nov-2017 20:31

Starscream122:

how is Down's syndrome an offensive word?

I know c*unt is offensive

Since you know that, maybe you shouldn't use it.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Geektastic

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#1896367 6-Nov-2017 20:48

Boo hoo, someone printed an offensive word. Big deal.

It's a ridiculous response to a word many people I know would use in common parlance simply because it was the term used throughout much of their lives.

MikeB4

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#1896421 6-Nov-2017 21:17

Good to see the action taken, there is no excuse for publishing offensive terms like this.

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#1896495 7-Nov-2017 00:11

MikeB4: Good to see the action taken, there is no excuse for publishing offensive terms like this.

To offend people would be a reason. No one has a right not to be offended.

mattwnz

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#1896496 7-Nov-2017 00:19

MikeB4: Good to see the action taken, there is no excuse for publishing offensive terms like this.

There is a big difference though if it was intentional or not and teh context. In this case it appears it was a genuine error. But the fact is, if you go into your local library, you will likely find books with all sort of offensive words, simply due to the age of the books, as the world has changed. Maybe that is one reasons libraries seem to get rid of old books.

Wheelbarrow01

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#1896566 7-Nov-2017 08:41

MadEngineer:

Funny, when googling that sentence it seems that she got that from the "Nexus" magazine.

Wikipedia:
Nexus is an Australian-based bi-monthly alternative news magazine. It covers geopolitics and conspiracy theories; health issues, including alternative medicine; future science; the unexplained, including UFOs; Big Brother; and historical revisionism.

Yes, should we not be more offended that Dr Libby has copied an entire paragraph verbatim from a magazine published in 2013? It's clearly not a coincidence and I wonder just how much of the book is her own original work. Oh and I think the focus of this witch hunt should be broadened to include Nexus Magazine, since they said it first.

I note the accuracy of the message conveyed in the paragraph is also disputed due to an "extraordinary lack of basic science". This reminds me of a valuable lesson that most people learn at primary school - If you are going to reproduce the work of others, at least make sure it's correct first!!

wsnz

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#1896571 7-Nov-2017 08:53

networkn:

It kind of annoys me how people with doctorates are called Doctor. Makes it very misleading esp when those people are giving advice which could be misconstrued as medical advice. I say this knowing it doesn't necessarily reflect the opinion of my wife, a medical doctor.

Her PhD thesis was on the biochemical and nutritional factors that impact on autism, so it's related.

PhD's originated in the middle ages and predate the term MD's, so perhaps your issue with use of the term should be other way around? Both involve a mastery of the subject domain. Vet's in many jurisdictions are entitled to use the title Dr who have been granted a bachelors degree.

surfisup1000

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#1896582 7-Nov-2017 09:29

vexxxboy:

im more amazed that a Dr didnt know that Mongolism was a offensive word to describe Downs, i thought even the average person knew that.

I didn't know it was used to describe downs.

I was vaguely aware that it could be used as an insult but wasn't sure why.

People are getting carried away in my view, her explanation is perfectly reasonable and people are seeking offense.

surfisup1000

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#1896584 7-Nov-2017 09:32

afe66: She's not a medical doctor...

Ha, reminds me of a chiropractor buddy who calls himself a doctor. I don't argue the fact but chuckle inside.

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#1896632 7-Nov-2017 09:59

Perhaps we could take a leaf from Doctor Quinn Medicine Woman when referring to physicians? Although that then runs the risk of being too gender specific, so maybe appending "Medical Professional", but then you run into the problem of being confused with politicians when abbreviated.

Maybe people shouldn't wake up in the morning thinking "I wonder what I can be offended by today?". Our worse what they can be offended about on behalf of others.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

eracode

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#1896637 7-Nov-2017 10:04

I've been amused by the situation where a nurse does post-grad study to complete a PhD in nursing - and then a nurse is a doctor.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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