In the Book of Genesis, Potiphar’s profligate wife — finding her affections unrequited — falsely accuses Joseph of rape and has him thrown in prison. This story is an example of the nightmare that has filtered into our social consciousness, fueling the fear that irrational claims will supersede justice. But there is another nightmare about rape that occurs with far more alarming regularity: an individual who reports being victimized is met with skepticism. Skeptics imagine several explanations: perhaps the encounter was consensual but regretted afterwards, maybe it was completely fabricated or maybe the victim encouraged it somehow?
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Technology is a uniquely human form of evolution. We can fly, breathe underwater and connect to any person on the planet in less time than it took our 18th century counterparts to walk to their neighbor’s house. Yet the consequences of humankind’s recent great leap forward — the Internet — are only beginning to show.
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To the Editor:
In response to Lucy Stonehill’s article (“See You in Hell,” Feb. 6) and the ensuing discussion on this page (“I’d Rather Not See You In Hell,” Feb. 11; “Mirror, Mirror, In The Classroom,” Feb. 11), I would like to stress that Ms. Stonehill should not be targeted for any supposed “irreligious zeal.” Rather, she should be commended for fostering a valuable discussion about the role of religion in academic settings.
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