The Scalzi metaphor is exactly that. It also highlights the catch-22 of using a metaphor. Usually, for me, when I resort to metaphor, it’s when a detailed and straightforward argument (not in the angry sense, but the persuasive sense) is not working, because the other party is getting bogged down on the details. That’s when a metaphor can aid in reaching agreement on the big picture.But it inevitably fails in the details.
Thus, the catch-22. When it comes down to it, if someone really doesn’t want to see your point, they will poke out their own eyes (metaphorically) to remain blind.
I was already open to the concept of white privilege, but when I first encountered Scalzi’s metaphor, it was an epiphany. YMMV.
