|
Post by td128 on Feb 20, 2024 6:00:56 GMT -5
Yale starting to wake up.
I encourage those who care about Truth and Freedom -specifically academic freedom in this regard - and the pursuit of these greatest of virtues and unalienable rights endowed by our Creator to read and share this commentary with friends and colleagues concerned about the repressive assault on and censoring of those in our nation and around the world standing up and speaking out.
Faculty Group Calls on Yale to Make Teaching 'Distinct from Activism' (Yale News, February 20, 2024): yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/02/19/faculty-group-calls-on-yale-to-make-teaching-distinct-from-activism/
The new initiative urges the University to adopt six new measures, which include more thorough protections on free speech, a commitment to institutional neutrality and new guidelines regarding donor influence.
- Among other measures, the group calls for “a thorough reassessment of administrative encroachment” and the promotion of diverse viewpoints. The group also calls for a more thorough description of free expression guidelines in the Faculty Handbook . . .
- On its site, Faculty for Yale outlines issues that it claims stem from Yale’s “retreat from the university’s basic mission.”
- “Faculty for Yale is a spontaneously coalescing group of (so far) over 100 faculty from throughout the university who wish to support our university in re-dedicating itself to its historic and magnificent mission to preserve, produce, and transmit knowledge,” professor of social and natural science Nicholas Christakis wrote to the News.
- Howard Forman, a professor at the School of Management, said that he signed the letter in part to emphasize Yale’s “promises for advancing and disseminating knowledge”
- Adams wrote to the News that academic freedom, which she described as “the bedrock of the advancement of knowledge through teaching and learning,” needs support at Yale and other colleges and universities.
- “The concerns articulated in the FfY formation statement pertain to universities — and not their members! — as activists,” Adams wrote. “I consider myself something of an activist on behalf of academic freedom, scholarship, and the mission of the university. But there will also come times, as the Kalven Report notes, in which colleges and universities confront threats to their very mission, and must seek to defend their fundamental values. That is happening worldwide.”
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Feb 20, 2024 7:39:30 GMT -5
/\ Good luck on this one: “Faculty group calls on Yale to make teaching ‘distinct from activism’” What good are the wacky theories (DEI, privilege, gender, etc.) if you can’t spread ‘em?
Not sure of efforts to reign in donor influence (sometimes donors are sane voices from outside the academy combatting the dominant campus narrative…as was the case with antisemitism at Harvard, etc. recently.)
|
|
|
Post by mm67 on Feb 20, 2024 7:57:43 GMT -5
"Wacky theories" is a political statement. Such partisan comments are not appropriate on this board. Whether it's trolling to get a reaction or proselytizing these types of comments do not belong on this apolitical board. Suggest "Pride" watch his step.
|
|
|
Post by WCHC Sports on Feb 20, 2024 9:17:25 GMT -5
Dissenting views are not necessarily political. My less-sage take on the current political and social climate is that conforming fads are apolitically and deemed full-freight to be morally right, where skepticism and counterpoints are automatically bucketed into the "right," bigotry, or oppression. Dangerous.
|
|
|
Post by td128 on Feb 20, 2024 9:29:38 GMT -5
The censoring - and by extension the entire Cancel Culture - is not mere happenstance but very much by design.
Control the medium so as to control the message is a very dangerous path leading to a very dangerous place. There are forces at work in our nation and throughout the world which are actively engaged in those pursuits.
IMO, the increased reliance of independent media and the decline of MSM is a near certainty.
I now subscribe to a number of former MSM journalists now writing via independent platforms. Three of my favorites are Seymour 'Sy" Hersh, Jeff Gerth and Matt Taibbi. True journalists. True journalism.
|
|
|
Post by newfieguy74 on Feb 20, 2024 9:52:48 GMT -5
Dissenting views are not necessarily political. My less-sage take on the current political and social climate is that conforming fads are apolitically and deemed full-freight to be morally right, where skepticism and counterpoints are automatically bucketed into the "right," bigotry, or oppression. Dangerous. The phrase "wacky theories (DEI, privilege, gender, etc.)" is a sloppy un-nuanced pejorative that is certainly political. Wacky to whom? Wacky in what way? As for "Dissenting views are not necessarily political" it sounds like you're describing the rabbit hole into political discussions that we're supposed to avoid. I agree that thoughtful respectful discussions that embrace opposing positions should be encourage on college campuses (and elsewhere). But not on Crossports.
|
|
|
Post by mm67 on Feb 20, 2024 10:10:25 GMT -5
Dissenting views are not necessarily political. My less-sage take on the current political and social climate is that conforming fads are apolitically and deemed full-freight to be morally right, where skepticism and counterpoints are automatically bucketed into the "right," bigotry, or oppression. Dangerous. Agree. Dissent is healthy but political discussion on this board is verboten. DEI is a political stance. One that has been the subject of fierce political debate, fierce criticism on the right and equally fierce defense on the left. When one describes DEI as "wacky" he is taking a blatantly political position on the right. I did not get owned into agreeing or disagreeing with the statement but I did point out his statement was obviously political.If instead of trolling on the right the comment was "the great DEI" ,- trolling on the left I would have criticized it in the same way. This board is by definition & design apolitical. No political trolls or political discussion back & forth. Best for all involved to keep it that way. Agree? Peace & trying to keep it that way.
|
|
|
Post by Tom on Feb 20, 2024 10:22:16 GMT -5
IMO, the increased reliance of independent media and the decline of MSM is a near certainty.
Television news used to be a financial loser. Executives swallowed the loss on the theory that news was an important public service. That has changed. Television news is now profit driven. On a related note, as the traditional newspapers are struggling, I don't think the Worcester Telegram has any investigative reporters on staff. $$$
|
|
|
Post by WCHC Sports on Feb 20, 2024 10:29:42 GMT -5
No liberal, democrat, or leftist can disagree with DEI, or the many debates on gender, etc.? That is my major gripe. Every major topic of discussion in modern society is immediately aligned to a set of wider stereotypes, because it is assumed that agreeing with one means you have to agree with all the others that are traditionally assigned to Red or Blue. To Right or Left. To Republican or Democrat. It hinders any progress because we're trapped to debate the entire landscape instead of making any incremental progress on any one item. Either side must concede the world to compromise. Thus, compromise has not, and will not happen.
I appreciate your policing otherwise for the civility of the board.
|
|
|
Post by mm67 on Feb 20, 2024 10:31:29 GMT -5
IMO, the increased reliance of independent media and the decline of MSM is a near certainty.
Television news used to be a financial loser. Executives swallowed the loss on the theory that news was an important public service. That has changed. Television news is now profit driven. On a related note, as the traditional newspapers are struggling, I don't think the Worcester Telegram has any investigative reporters on staff. $$$ I made the same point many years ago. In reality it's TV News Entertainment. From what I read network CEOs took note of the high ratings and profitability of "60 Minutes" which was a cash cow for CBS. TV news went from a public service loss leader to merely another ratings driven TV show.
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Feb 20, 2024 10:32:16 GMT -5
No liberal, democrat, or leftist can disagree with DEI, or the many debates on gender, etc.? That is my major gripe. Every major topic of discussion in modern society is immediately aligned to a set of wider stereotypes, because it is assumed that agreeing with one means you have to agree with all the others that are traditionally assigned to Red or Blue. To Right or Left. To Republican or Democrat. It hinders any progress because we're trapped to debate the entire landscape instead of making any incremental progress on any one item. Either side must concede the world to compromise. Thus, compromise has not, and will not happen. I appreciate your policing otherwise for the civility of the board. For a certain set (both inside and outside the academy), dissent from a favored view is strictly verboten. As we see. That’s the challenge the recent Yale faculty initiative has to navigate. Injecting the academy with a new appreciation for diversity of thought and opinion will not be easy.
|
|
|
Post by td128 on Feb 20, 2024 10:37:12 GMT -5
To perhaps reset the dialogue and discussion, do others have individual journalists whom they follow and would like to share?
I am speaking of individuals who appreciate and engage in real pursuit of Truth, informed decision, and knowledge.
Another individual whom I track closely is Victor Davis Hanson. Highly intelligent individual who provides riveting historical perspectives on a wide array of topics.
|
|
|
Post by nycrusader2010 on Feb 20, 2024 19:50:12 GMT -5
In re this specific sentence: "Discussing events and politics in Holy Cross classrooms and fostering open dialogue for students."
Over the last ten years, countless Crusaders have told me that they very much feel inhibited as to openly sharing varying thoughts and views primarily in class but also on campus. This sense of feeling inhibited is often backed up by professors singling out students who have shared views deemed counter to 'the narrative' and then subsequently negatively impacting their grade.
It's WRONG but it is very REAL.
VR's Statement on Statements opens the door to broaching this topic with him and the Academic Dean.
Hopefully we can get back to freely and openly sharing ideas across the entire spectrum of thoughts and opinions in pursuit of TRUTH and fully consistent with the Mission of the college. SAD. I swear it wasn't like this even 15 years ago.
|
|
|
Post by Chu Chu on Feb 22, 2024 10:39:10 GMT -5
To perhaps reset the dialogue and discussion, do others have individual journalists whom they follow and would like to share?
I am speaking of individuals who appreciate and engage in real pursuit of Truth, informed decision, and knowledge.
Another individual whom I track closely is Victor Davis Hanson. Highly intelligent individual who provides riveting historical perspectives on a wide array of topics. Thanks for the recommendation, td.
As a counterpoint, someone that I follow who also comes with a very thoughtful and interesting perspective is Heather Cox Richardson. She is a professor of history at Boston College, where she teaches courses on the American Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the American West, and the Plains Indians. She writes a consistently interesting daily newsletter that you can subscribe to for free that also discusses current events in light of past history.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
|
|
|
Post by td128 on Feb 22, 2024 18:26:50 GMT -5
Thanks Chu Chu . . . just signed up. . .
|
|
|
Post by dadominate on Feb 22, 2024 18:41:46 GMT -5
as i noted in my previous posts on the topic, the intolerance mind virus has infected medicine and medical training. here are our future physicians disrespectfully interrupting/yelling over a presentation by the president of the american medical association (ironically on the topic of lgbtq+, which is still not enough to appease them)... because his group had not released an official statement in support of palestine. http://instagram.com/p/C3mQrznMrID it is appalling to think that folks this immature and one-sided in their view of the world will be providing clinical care to patients someday. i am simply astonished at how much politics has infiltrated medical training today, from the "social justice" track at our medical school to the extraordinarily disrespectful interruption of any topic with which there is even mild disagreement. again, i commend pvr for taking a stand against this toxicity in favor of respectful dialog and encouragement of diversity of opinions.
|
|
|
Post by dadominate on Feb 22, 2024 18:43:50 GMT -5
To perhaps reset the dialogue and discussion, do others have individual journalists whom they follow and would like to share?
I am speaking of individuals who appreciate and engage in real pursuit of Truth, informed decision, and knowledge.
Another individual whom I track closely is Victor Davis Hanson. Highly intelligent individual who provides riveting historical perspectives on a wide array of topics. Thanks for the recommendation, td.
As a counterpoint, someone that I follow who also comes with a very thoughtful and interesting perspective is Heather Cox Richardson. She is a professor of history at Boston College, where she teaches courses on the American Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, the American West, and the Plains Indians. She writes a consistently interesting daily newsletter that you can subscribe to for free that also discusses current events in light of past history.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.comthanks for the suggestion... will check this out. substack is one of the few bastions for independent thought these days and there are many excellent writers on the platform.
|
|
|
Post by td128 on Feb 23, 2024 6:49:27 GMT -5
Standing up, speaking out and pursuing Truth in a respectful form and fashion is critically important to liberty and freedom for all.
Those who have knowingly and willingly promoted censoring, Cancel Culture and the intimidation therein are anathema to the pursuit of Truth and Freedom. We ignore them and/or allow that dynamic to propagate at our peril.
I do believe that more and more people here at home and abroad are indeed 'waking up' to these facts but regrettably there are many within positions of power and influence who continue to stifle the pursuit of Truth and sharing of the same. The story just yesterday regarding claims/allegations that recently renowned yet fired investigative journalist Catherine Herridge has had her confidential files containing her sources taken by her employer (CBS News) sends a chill wind across our land this morning.
We need a continued awakening and spirited 'defense of free speech' and the pursuit of Truth and Transparency that root out corruption and encompass the premise that 'I may disagree with what you say but will defend to the death you're right to say it'.
I applaud PVR for his Statement on Statements and the message that sends throughout our entire college community.
|
|
|
Post by alum on Feb 23, 2024 7:56:27 GMT -5
as i noted in my previous posts on the topic, the intolerance mind virus has infected medicine and medical training. here are our future physicians disrespectfully interrupting/yelling over a presentation by the president of the american medical association (ironically on the topic of lgbtq+, which is still not enough to appease them)... because his group had not released an official statement in support of palestine. http://instagram.com/p/C3mQrznMrID it is appalling to think that folks this immature and one-sided in their view of the world will be providing clinical care to patients someday. i am simply astonished at how much politics has infiltrated medical training today, from the "social justice" track at our medical school to the extraordinarily disrespectful interruption of any topic with which there is even mild disagreement. again, i commend pvr for taking a stand against this toxicity in favor of respectful dialog and encouragement of diversity of opinions. I assume that you have no free speech objection to the students criticizing the AMA for failing to speak on behalf of providers in Gaza (assuming they haven’t as I have no idea.) Your objection, I take it is to the time, manner, and place of speech and not the content. The students should have waited until a comment portion of the session.
|
|
|
Post by Tom on Feb 23, 2024 8:24:30 GMT -5
Standing up, speaking out and pursuing Truth in a respectful form and fashion is critically important to liberty and freedom for all.
. I think that both sides of most topics have forgotten the portion of your sentence that I boldfaced
|
|
|
Post by newfieguy74 on Feb 23, 2024 8:41:04 GMT -5
Standing up, speaking out and pursuing Truth in a respectful form and fashion is critically important to liberty and freedom for all.
Those who have knowingly and willingly promoted censoring, Cancel Culture and the intimidation therein are anathema to the pursuit of Truth and Freedom. We ignore them and/or allow that dynamic to propagate at our peril.
I do believe that more and more people here at home and abroad are indeed 'waking up' to these facts but regrettably there are many within positions of power and influence who continue to stifle the pursuit of Truth and sharing of the same. The story just yesterday regarding claims/allegations that recently renowned yet fired investigative journalist Catherine Herridge has had her confidential files containing her sources taken by her employer (CBS News) sends a chill wind across our land this morning.
We need a continued awakening and spirited 'defense of free speech' and the pursuit of Truth and Transparency that root out corruption and encompass the premise that 'I may disagree with what you say but will defend to the death you're right to say it'.
I applaud PVR for his Statement on Statements and the message that sends throughout our entire college community. In the absence of Plato, any discussion of "Truth" can be a slippery slope. What you think is the Truth might be different than what someone else thinks. I think it's better to try to agree on what the facts are, and then allow a thoughtful and respectful exchange of ideas. I'm also in favor of reducing the use of pejorative labels ("wacky", "woke", "right wing nut", etc.).
|
|
|
Post by td128 on Feb 23, 2024 8:55:44 GMT -5
Spirited dialogue, discussions and debate on facts and Truth make for a better world. We need leaders and leadership that embrace this virtuous premise and then go about hosting forums that are properly promoted and videotaped to bring it to the masses.
A HUGE OPPORTUNITY for Alma Mater.
|
|
|
Post by Tom on Feb 23, 2024 9:05:57 GMT -5
I'm also in favor of reducing the use of pejorative labels ("wacky", "woke", "right wing nut", etc.). Although I don't understand why polite discourse no longer seems possible, I will continue to use the pejorative label "BC fan"
|
|
|
Post by mm67 on Feb 23, 2024 10:03:01 GMT -5
Beauty is truth. Truth is beauty. Truth is like a diamond with many facets. Discovery & understanding these facets of truth continue to grow & evolve with experience over years. (Fr. Harry Bean, SJ, Holy Cross, mid-1960's)
|
|
|
Post by td128 on Feb 23, 2024 10:04:52 GMT -5
To continue the dialogue and discussion here, what topics would you like to see for Open Forums and Engaged Debates?
I'll start.
I would propose a forum addressing the specifics and merits of the Smith Mundt Act and Smith Mundt Modernization Act of 2012.
I think this could be a riveting dialogue.
www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/oversight/legislation/smith-mundt/
I am NOT proposing we have this forum here at Crossports but would love to see a forum on campus and then broadcast to alumni.
|
|