RE: markup race

[Manos Batsis <m.batsis@bsnet.gr>]

HumanML is not going to be a tool with a fixed classification system
based on subjective characterizations; such systems are vertical and not
reusable. Implementors will build their own classification system based
on HumanML and maybe some other work. HumanML may be subjective to that
level, because that's what the developer will want to do. Thus, there is
no "Race module" or "eye color" property, or whatever. Actually, there
is no HumanML yet.

I think this message shows that this list has drifted away in discussing
work that will be done by implementors of HumanML and not by HumanML
directly. Categorization based on physical or mental characteristics, as
well as discussion about rendering/presentation, do not fit directly in
what we are trying to accomplish. What HumanML is about IMHO at least,
is to give the internet community a language to describe relationships
between concepts of human thought. 

Finally, I would like to kindly ask from everyone to focus on what we
are trying to accomplish and leave unrelated conversation outside the
list in a private level. We all have an overloaded mailbox already;
while this kind of postings does not help people (or ourselves for that
matter) understand what this is about.

Kindest regards,

Manos




-----Original Message-----
From: Volker Hamann [mailto:arthide@magicvillage.de] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 8:41 AM
To: humanmarkup-comment@lists.oasis-open.org
Subject: markup race

To whom it may concern. 

HumanML: "The aim is to enhance the fidelity of human communication." 

Since i am an anthropologist who often handles html and some other
codes, i can imagine, your HumanML undertaking is meant as a
subversive joke. At least the use of 'race' in a draft from your
websites (see the relevant cut of code below) indicates, you want to
say that the in oasis involved US companies still record workers and
employees as black, red, white halfblood or quarterblood. Code lists
with values for jewish and half jewish? 

Scientifically, genetically, anthropologically, zoologically the idea
of different human races cannot be prooved. Read Luigi Luca
Cavalli-Sforza (Genetics, Stanford), to understand why humankind is
not divided into races. Humans are one race among the races of
hominides.

You may find opponents to this scientific teaching. However, a
language which aims to be as universal as possible, if i take your
motto above for better than Brave New World, should not be decorated
with race ideology, this way or that way. Better leave it out now
immediately.

The present realisation of the idea of HumanML also in deeper and more
complex philosophical aspects needs to be criticized from all possible
sides, to effect its design radically. 

Volker Hamann

  The height and weight types should be numbers but have to allow for
different measurement systems 
  </xhtml:p>

- <xhtml:p>
  <xhtml:strong>NOTE:</xhtml:strong> 
  The race, hair color, eyeColor, build attributes need code lists for
values 
  </xhtml:p>




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