Professor Eric Kaufmann (Birkbeck College, University of London) has an article in The Wall Street Journal on his report documenting the degree of politicization and cancel-culture in American, Canadian, and British universities. From a summary: Based on a “new report for the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology (CSPI), Academic Freedom in Crisis: […]
Hard data show academic freedom in peril — Kaufmann report Read More »
From Aaron Mesh’s interview with Gregory McKelvey: “We must put ourselves in the minds of someone who probably rightfully believes the world is ending or, at a minimum, is on the brink of being unrecognizable with incredible amounts of death, pain and climate chaos. If the world is ending, some people are going to act
Educating for violence — Portland example Read More »
Courage, rather than cowardice and intolerance, in seeking truth.
Embrace Being Offended at University Read More »
I was interviewed for the “Conversations with Marsha” series, part of The Great Connections program. Our theme is The Liberal Arts, What They Are and Why You Need Them. Video is below, and a rough transcription is coming soon.
Real Liberal Education: interviewed by Marsha Enright Read More »
On December 5, I’ll be in Mexico to speak at La Cuidad de Las Ideas. “La Ciudad de las Ideas is an International Festival of Brilliant Minds, a celebration of creativity and curiosity. With the participation of over 60 speakers, from scientists to opinion leaders, the festival takes place from the 4th to the 6th
Idea Festival 2020: Cuidad de las Ideas (Mexico) Read More »
Eton teacher Will Knowland was fired for this online discussion of sex and gender: (I’m quoted on free speech at the 2:15-minute mark. Thanks to Marian Tupy for the link.) While Knowland’s discussion takes up whether Patriarchy is natural/artificial and good/bad — the implicit lesson of his firing seems to be Thou shalt not challenge
Eton teacher Knowland fired for Patriarchy discussion Read More »
We’re now posting serially at thinkspot the transcripts of my Open College podcasts. Here’s the fifteenth: We’ve all run into teachers who think like this: There is One Truth and I am in possession of it. So important is it that students must believe it and it alone. Alternative ideas are a waste of time
Why Postmoderns Train—Not Educate—Activists [Open College transcript] Read More »
My heart sank a little when I saw the trio come down the aisle of the airplane. A mother with two young children, and the three seats in front of me were open in a mostly filled airplane. The boy, approximately five years old, arrived first and slid his way over to the window seat.
Anecdote: How Cry-bullies and Snow-fakes Are Made Read More »