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I'm a freelancer + work in the non-profit space; I don't do corporate work. Which is also on purpose. ;) The difference is that corporate work never had the pr

by Mezzie 4y ago

I'm a freelancer + work in the non-profit space; I don't do corporate work. Which is also on purpose. ;) The difference is that corporate work never had the pretense of offering me intellectual freedom, whereas academia did. At least if I go corporate, they'll buy my silence with resources/$$$. Academia? So you want to give me nothing AND restrict what I can say? That's going to be a hard pass.

matthewdgreen 4y ago
I have to push back against this since I have some personal experience here. As a (non-tenure-track) research assistant professor I got into a major argument with a dean at my University over a specific speech issue re: the NSA and Snowden leaks [1]. (The NSA is also a major funder of [part] of my University.) I was prepared to be fired when I refused to go along with the University's request: I was not fired, and instead I've been promoted. I don't think there are very many other institutions where I could have expected this outcome. Yes, my story is just one data point. But all important speech issues are just a few datapoints. It's absolutely critical for our society that there be real institutions where policy critics can survive. Until someone builds an alternative home for policy criticism (and no, consulting for non-profits isn't it) I'm going to stand by the academic system... however imperfect it is. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/johns-hopkins-dean-apologises-for-blog https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/johns-hopkins-...
- Mezzie 4y ago
  I appreciate the push back; it's how I learn and refine my positions. I think it very much depends on what field you want to go into and the institution. Since I have the misfortune of having my primary academic research interests lie in the intersection of tech and society, my work is/would be unfortunately politicized. I'd also go in through Library/Information Science (which my Master's is in) if I were to get a PhD and go into research, and that particular field is STEEPED in rightthink. I'm happy to hear that you had a positive experience, and it's definitely possible. It's just harder to find that than it used to be, and the opportunity cost for trying is very high. > It's absolutely critical for our society that there be real institutions where policy critics can survive. 100% agree. I'd love for academia to grow a spine and assert itself. (I did debate leaving the country, but as someone with a disability that isn't a permanent option.)

by Mezzie 4y ago

matthewdgreen 4y ago

I have to push back against this since I have some personal experience here. As a (non-tenure-track) research assistant professor I got into a major argument with a dean at my University over a specific speech issue re: the NSA and Snowden leaks [1]. (The NSA is also a major funder of [part] of my University.) I was prepared to be fired when I refused to go along with the University's request: I was not fired, and instead I've been promoted. I don't think there are very many other institutions where I could have expected this outcome. Yes, my story is just one data point. But all important speech issues are just a few datapoints. It's absolutely critical for our society that there be real institutions where policy critics can survive. Until someone builds an alternative home for policy criticism (and no, consulting for non-profits isn't it) I'm going to stand by the academic system... however imperfect it is. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/johns-hopkins-dean-apologises-for-blog https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/johns-hopkins-...

Mezzie 4y ago
I appreciate the push back; it's how I learn and refine my positions. I think it very much depends on what field you want to go into and the institution. Since I have the misfortune of having my primary academic research interests lie in the intersection of tech and society, my work is/would be unfortunately politicized. I'd also go in through Library/Information Science (which my Master's is in) if I were to get a PhD and go into research, and that particular field is STEEPED in rightthink. I'm happy to hear that you had a positive experience, and it's definitely possible. It's just harder to find that than it used to be, and the opportunity cost for trying is very high. > It's absolutely critical for our society that there be real institutions where policy critics can survive. 100% agree. I'd love for academia to grow a spine and assert itself. (I did debate leaving the country, but as someone with a disability that isn't a permanent option.)