A surprisingly simple model can be accurate enough to be usable, but you need to understand the limitations and assumptions of it. You need to understand when the model is prudent and when it gives erroneous results. The problem with models of gender and attraction is people take them at face value and assume that they’re complete, when in fact they are almost all deeply flawed in one way or another. Ignoring those flaws creates blindspots and bias, which ultimately hurts everyone, but hurts individuals who fall inside the blindspots or who become victims of bias most of all. Anyone who goes through a mechanical engineering program will know that steam isn’t an ideal gas, but that doesn’t stop an ignorant layperson from assuming it is and hurting themselves and others as a result.
A surprisingly simple model can be accurate enough to be usable, but you need to understand the limitations and assumptions of it. You need to understand when the model is prudent and when it gives erroneous results. The problem with models of gender and attraction is people take them at face value and assume that they’re complete, when in fact they are almost all deeply flawed in one way or another. Ignoring those flaws creates blindspots and bias, which ultimately hurts everyone, but hurts individuals who fall inside the blindspots or who become victims of bias most of all. Anyone who goes through a mechanical engineering program will know that steam isn’t an ideal gas, but that doesn’t stop an ignorant layperson from assuming it is and hurting themselves and others as a result.