The secrecy motif/magic & muggles

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 180006

> > a_svirn:
> > And yet the magic civilisation reproduces itself genetically, not 
> > just "transmit their culture across the generations". You can't 
be 
> > inculturated into the WW if you lack the magic gene. If any 
> > group's "separatism" is based on genetics it has very much to do 
with 
> > eugenics: they include those with the required hereditary trait 
and 
> > cull all those who lack it. (In other words all those who 
comprise 
> > what you call for some reason "the dominant culture".)
> 
> 
> Pippin:
> This is broadening the definition of eugenics far beyond what is
> generally meant by the term. 

a_svirn:
In what way? I'd say it is definitely an attempt of negative 
eugenics. Not through genocide, thank Merlin, but 
through "separatism". 

> Pippin:
For example there are strains of
> Hinduism which do not accept converts; the only way you can
> become a Hindu in their eyes is to be born one. Your only
> acceptable mate is another Hindu. But It's absurd, not to 
> mention anachronistic,  to say that their aim is eugenics; 
> it has nothing to do  with improving the heredity
> of the human race or breeding out bad qualities. It is more like 
> they think if it is your destiny to be a Hindu, or marry a Hindu,
> you would have been born one, or so I understand.

a_svirn:
But, Pippin, you are giving an example of social separatism, not 
genetic. There isn't such thing as Hinduist gene, is there?  Besides, 
even though their *aim* isn't eugenic, their *means* -- judging from 
what you've said – lean a bit in that direction. 

> Pippin:
> We have no canon that the wizards, even the purebloods, 
> ever thought that separating themselves from Muggle society
> would make them a superior race. 

a_svirn:
In effect, though, they have succeeded in becoming one. A British 
Prime Minister and a President of the USA take orders from wizards 
(and not even necessarily those of equal rank.)

> Pippin:
In fact it's the purebloods who
> seem opposed to the separation since it deprived them of Muggles
> to exploit.

a_svirn:
True, true. But then, those fanatics can't get anything right. 

> Pippin: 
> Here, btw, is a fascinating article about how
> a deaf community  in Russia formed around a residential
> school, and how it became, in a sense, invisible...
> 
> http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2005/is_2_34/ai_68660113
> 
> Truth is stranger than fiction.

a_svirn:
Yeah. That' really fascinating, thanks for the link.