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I agree with most of the article about academic environments being open to vigorous debate among opposing ideas. But I find this phrase: "diversity of thought"
by chetanahuja 10y ago
I agree with most of the article about academic environments being open to vigorous debate among opposing ideas. But I find this phrase: "diversity of thought" problematic.
Not because I don't actually value diversity in philosophies or modes of thinking, but because the phrase itself has been used recently as a weasel phrase by reactionary forces acting to scale back decades of work to improve actual diversity of backgrounds including race, national origin, genders, sexualities etc. in the workplace and positions of power. I'm not accusing him of using it deliberately in that sense but I think it's important to keep that connotation of this phrase in mind while discussing his talk.
- ZenoArrow 10y ago>"to scale back decades of work" If I say something controversial, I don't automatically undo decades of change. The impact of a statement grows as more people react to it. If you disagree with a statement, the best response is to debate and illuminate the foundations of the statement. This isn't directed at you per se, but in general I hope people come to understand the Streisand effect is an observable phenomenon. I'd even go as far as saying it was a major contributor in getting Trump elected. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect
- abandonliberty 10y agoIf you stop using values or words because they can be abused by those with an agenda you will find it hard to communicate anything of significance.
- thetruthseeker1 10y agoAny idea that can't be tested or challenged at any point of time, I am worried about such an idea. No idea is fundamentally true or absolutely right in all contexts. I am a liberal and a progressive, but there are many progressive ideas that have failed and thanks to that.