<i>Also, as a straight, white person myself, I understand that there are some discussions where my opinions are irrelevant and unwanted because I simply haven&#x27;t experienced what others have and am unable to understand and empathize as intimately. Excluding my opinion isn&#x27;t a slight against free thinking, it&#x27;s a shortcut because I have nothing to contribute.</i><p>Or in other words, outside perspectives are never useful? All the advice about having papers &#x2F; presentations proofread by people not involved, about looking to outside sources to check if you&#x27;re stuck in a rut, about <i>the value of diversity of backgrounds and opinions</i>, is all bullshit and worse than useless?