Stereotypes can be a sort of useful mental shorthand. For example if the previous five people you have met from Ireland all kicked you in the shin, it would be prudent to cover your shin when introduced to a sixth.
I suspect that in the example you cite that the word "bowling" was selected as a pejorative rather than contributing to the identification of an actual type.
Words are used in language to transfer an image or concept from one person to another. Stereotypes, like words, need to have a common definition in order to transmit what is intended. In the example you cite, I suspect that the reference to technology was insufficient to carry the negative connotation the writer desired to impart.
In the movie "Breakfast Club" one teenager tells another that his father should go bowling with the other father. This is to use the activity of bowling as an insult.
One might deduce from this usage that bowling may have initially been intended to identify blue collar workers which are supposed to be considered less intelligent than others. If have found this sort of smug disdain to be much more of a negative than being a blue collar worker.
I have been thinking lately that of all the people I have met in life, I have never found one that went to college that was not harmed by the experience. As a result, I am unable to validate the attempt to insult someone by associating them with bowling. I can appreciate the intent of the writer, I am just not able to agree with that point of view.
Like most things spoken in life, one has to consider if what is said is true. If untrue, it can be helpful to understand why it is being said.
12 Jun 2020, 5:47 am
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