@ryanc I'd quite like to see one where the only evidence supplied is a "before" picture of them looking thoroughly uncomfortable and an "after" picture of them living their best life. That should be plenty proof that they've made the right choice.
I'd say the key difference is intention. Giving someone the runaround implies a deliberate intention on the part of the actors. In an accountability sink, all the individuals involved may have good intentions and be doing their best, but the result is the same because of systemic problems / intentions.
@inthehands I recently came across the phrase "accountability sink" which I think applies here.
It's a process, person, body, etc that accepts feedback but has limited to no power to act on it or pass it on in meaningful ways. A Customer Service Desk is the classic example.
My first couple of weeks of uni was utter confusion. I was given a stack of paper several inches thick and left to it. I had to figure out how and where to register for my course, how to pick and register for a subsidiary, how to find my way around a whole new city... I mentioned to someone how bewildering it all was and got brushed off with "it's all in the docs," "others manage" and "you're not at school now, we're not spoon-feeding you."
Next week my #autistic teen will need to get a taxi. He's not done this before and we won't be there to help. He'll need to navigate everything from finding the right (pre-booked) car to paying.
This strikes me as the sort of thing that there should be #LifeSkills resources for. Searching just brings up vague information about what life skills are, US-specific stuff, or expensive resources of unknowable quality.
@eleanorrees I was hoping to avoid the "more homework for Mum" option given I'm already running beyond sustainable capacity. But it always comes back to that, doesn't it?
@inthehands "seeing students and meeting them where they are."
This really speaks to me. I visit schools with STEM activities. I'm not a teacher, so I've had to learn on the fly how to teach. The key thing I've learned is that I have to meet them where they are.
You can't do that by ignoring, banning, or demonising key parts of who they are.
I'm now wondering what pin badges I should add to my lanyard to go alongside my bi and she/her ones.
@inthehands you are very right about the social costs. When I think about times I haven't called out bigotry, I've either been rabbit-in-headlights stunned or afraid of repercussions. Either way, the social vulnerability has been strong enough to make me miss the chance. When I *have* called it out, I've either been in a socially powerful position or have carefully calculated my exit strategy. I'd like to be braver, but it's not easy. I have, at least, avoided active encouragement.
Remember when we found out that tobacco companies knew the damage their products did, but went on pretending they were safe? And soon after, there were class actions and advertising restrictions and massively hiked taxes?
Fossil fuel companies have known for decades the damage their products do, but they've been pretending they were safe. Can we get on that ASAP, please?
Geek of many colours.Queer mum interested in climate and social justice, TTRPG, boardgames, SciFi.UK based.She/her.Profile pic: a wooden bird shape with violet highlights.Profile banner: A milk chocolate wolf silhouette against a white chocolate moon. The milk chocolate sky has swirls of white chocolate clouds.