An Emancipation Proclamation for Universities
This piece appeared today in The National Post. It outlines the dramatic steps I think are necessary to restore free speech, academic freedom, & control of the curriculum by faculty at universities.
(credit: gettyimages ajr_images)
It has been a busy week for writing. This piece appeared today in The National Post. (not behind a pay wall) I think it is one of the most important pieces I have written recently, because it prescribes a sea change in attitudes and actions on behalf of university administrations that I think is necessary to ensure the academia remains a place were free inquiry and open discussion are promoted, not restricted. The changes I am calling for are dramatic, but I am a free speech absolutist. Whether or not you agree, I hope this will provoke discussion.
Recent events have demonstrated the need to re-establish free inquiry, free speech and academic freedom at universities throughout North America. But current efforts by academic administrators to remedy the situation are often missing the point. You cannot restore free speech by creating further restrictions on what speech is appropriate, and by focusing on what sanctions may be appropriate and when….
To read the rest go to this link.
FYI: https://www.chronicle.com/article/a-tenured-professor-was-removed-from-the-classroom-over-a-pro-palestine-essay
Without universities and college professors, we are no better than Hitler's or Putin's "Yes Men"... and for administrators and politicians to tell us professors and scientists what to research, how to interpret that research for the general public keeps reality isolated ONLY in the minds and brains of us scientists. Of course, this goes without saying and falls on deaf ears especially as to moronic religious sectors that can never understand that science is truly their friend in understanding the universe and their place in it. But that will always be the case as long as religion and lower Neanderthals are living, walking and voting among us...but good to remind professors and scientists to keep the faith...in scientific methodology and continue to be the brightest persons in the Cemetaries.