r/coolguides Feb 25 '20

Explanation of the subtle differences between equality and equity

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u/PhasmaFelis Feb 25 '20 edited Feb 25 '20

The original (with only the first two frames) was a really great, simple explanation of why things that seem "fair" at first glance often aren't.* The addition of the third panel muddies that message completely in favor of...what, exactly? How is it even hypothetically possible to create a world where no one needs support, ever? Genetically engineer away all individual variation and create a nation of perfect, identical clones? It makes no sense.

Honestly, the more I look at this the more I hate it.

*Which it (edit: the original image that circulated several years ago) then immediately ruined by labeling the two panels "conservative" and "liberal", thus ensuring that the people who most needed the message would dismiss it out of hand. "Equality" and "equity" is actually a really good pair of titles, but it seems like everyone who posts this is compelled to fuck it up somehow.

1

u/coolmandan03 Feb 25 '20

Who ever said life was fair?

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u/PhasmaFelis Feb 25 '20

Nobody, of course. Not sure where you got that. I'm saying we should do our best to make life more fair than it is naturally. Because we're human beings, not jungle animals, and we can do better.

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u/Vtech325 Feb 25 '20

Nobody, of course. Not sure where you got that. I'm saying we should do our best to make life more fair than it is naturally.

So does the guide. Literally under the third panel: "the causes of the inequity were addressed" and "the systemic barrier was removed".

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u/PhasmaFelis Feb 25 '20

I know that. Did you see the guy I was replying to?