this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024
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One of the comments reads : Actually, we will probably never figure out, was it man or woman. but I thought this comment of the professor was an interesting eye opener. https://mastodonapp.uk/@MarkHoltom/112070436760917344

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[–] [email protected] 87 points 8 months ago (7 children)

i think they mean 'man' as in 'mankind'. also any ideas why would they carve it into bone and not bark or something more flat?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

That's exactly what is meant, but they have to find something to complain about

[–] [email protected] -1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (4 children)

Sure, you can say "man" means "mankind", but when you use gendered language like that, most people picture a couple of caveMEN sitting around a fire carving bones rather than caveHUMANS (edited -- I think it would benefit us to picture all genders around this hypothetical fire). Even though we try to use gendered language in a neutral way, listeners will often perceive the language in a gendered way.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Do they, or is it just men that think that? While women might think of their own gender around a fire, and assume either gender/ non-gendered

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 18 points 8 months ago (2 children)

"Man" also means "humankind". In fact, it was originally a gender-neutral word.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/man

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

this is it tjank you

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

Yes, I know. I explained that. That doesn't change perception.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] -1 points 8 months ago

Just FYI the origin of "woman" is "wife-man" which (forgive if I do these slightly out of order) was "wyfe-man" to "wife-man" to "wieman" to woman 👩

The misogyny is built into the language. Or the common word used originates from "wife of man"

Paraphrased source Websters word origins

[–] [email protected] 67 points 8 months ago (1 children)

They probably did but only the bone survived time

[–] [email protected] 32 points 8 months ago (1 children)

ahh survivorship bias thats it thanks

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

Always remember to check for survivorship bias. It's the most fundamental way to lie with statistics.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Likely durability. A bone and a stick can both be thrown into a bag and carried with you, but a bone is much more durable than a stick. It’ll be less likely to break or wear down as it rubs against everything else in your bag.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago

Likely durability and portability. Think of it as something they use month over month and just mark the day with something like a string band. Bone would be light enough to keep with you, strong enough to not break, and common enough to be available for household use.