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Also the following account of his experience in China, which certainly served as a greater pretext than the tweets of an account with 10 followers: > A Chinese
by datameta 5y ago
Also the following account of his experience in China, which certainly served as a greater pretext than the tweets of an account with 10 followers:
> A Chinese professor there told him that his Ph.D. topic was «boring» – a euphemism for being too critical of the government. As a part of his fellowship, he also had to attend classes, and says today he couldn’t believe how much censorship took place in the course of everyday university life. When he submitted an essay on reeducation camps, he received the lowest grade possible. In an email to his professor in St. Gallen, he wrote: «Maybe I've just been unlucky.»
I am deeply bothered by this totalitarian allergic reaction to criticism at even the lowest level. However as someone who is intimately familiar with life in the soviet union, this is not simply a case of bad luck if one takes actions that significantly increase one's radar signature to the censorship arm. If you are perceived as being "troublesome" by those who stand to lose much through being affiliated with someone openly critical of the regime, they may well take action to smooth out this political perturbance in their lives. They may do so whether they are staunch believers in the status quo or simply wishing to remain neutral at worst.
Now I am not saying he should not have done what he did, but he should have been more aware of the possible outcomes to avoid being so blindsided.
It would have been far more effective to relay his thoughts through more sympathetic channels. If the first person one's government criticism goes through is not a fan, that is a shaky start for one's efforts. A support network is needed. One can't shout into the void alone.
- s1artibartfast 5y agoI wouldn't want to be his sponsor either. It just shows either a complete misunderstanding of the power dynamics of an outsider doing research in China, or poor judgement.
- wolverine876 5y ago> I wouldn't want to be his sponsor either. It just shows either a complete misunderstanding of the power dynamics of an outsider doing research in China, or poor judgement. If your priorities are power dynamics, that would make sense. But there are other priorities, such as freedom of speech and open inquiry, which are more important, on which research and knowledge and freedom itself are based.
- s1artibartfast 5y agoIdeally yes, but there are practical reality to working with the Chinese government, taking Chinese government grants, and going to Chinese schools. If you choose to persue these opportunities, you must understand there are tradeoffs and conditions.
- wolverine876 5y ago> you must understand there are tradeoffs and conditions Understanding the situation is one thing; acquiescing to it, participating, and not trying to change it are another.
- mcguire 5y agoSpeaking as someone who has been through the academic dance party, I wouldn't want to attend an academic institution in Switzerland. I've heard of many breakups between students and their advisors, although this seems particularly ill advised, but I've never heard of the institution kicking the student out immediately. Or of the other faculty not finding a place for him. Their dedication to academic integrity is suspect.
- s1artibartfast 5y agoThey didn't have to kick him out. He was withdrawn from school, had a falling out with the PhD advisor he needed to get back in, then sued the school. After he sued the school and lost, professors really didn't want to be his advisor.
- wolverine876 5y agoWhile I find your perspective and suggestions are valuable, I think we need to retire this idiom (which I've used myself without much thought): > Now I am not saying he should not have done what he did We need to stand up and say, he should speak out, he should have spoken out, seeing injustice and oppression.
- datameta 5y agoI do see how I could have worded my general approval of his goals in a better manner.
- wolverine876 5y agoAs I said, I've used that idiom myself many times. I'm just trying to be more careful.