4 votes

Improving MIT’s written commitment to freedom of expression

11 comments

  1. [7]
    vord
    (edited )
    Link
    Given how campuses in general lean (in the past at least) center-left, this kinda worries me. That said, are there any recent events that prompted this? Universities rarely do stuff like this...

    Although the Institute greatly values civility, and although all members of the MIT community share in the responsibility for maintaining a climate of mutual respect, concerns about civility and mutual respect can never be used as a justification for closing off discussion of ideas, however offensive or disagreeable those ideas may be to some members of our community.

    Given how campuses in general lean (in the past at least) center-left, this kinda worries me. That said, are there any recent events that prompted this?

    Universities rarely do stuff like this merely for conformity.

    1. [6]
      mtset
      Link Parent
      This is likely in response to this letter regarding a climate of "wokeness." Nothing gets college admins more riled up than rich alumni withdrawing support.

      This is likely in response to this letter regarding a climate of "wokeness." Nothing gets college admins more riled up than rich alumni withdrawing support.

      7 votes
      1. [5]
        vord
        Link Parent
        That sounds about right. Caving to right-wing propaganda. It's that false-equivalency where "the anti-facists are the real fascists."

        That sounds about right.

        Caving to right-wing propaganda. It's that false-equivalency where "the anti-facists are the real fascists."

        7 votes
        1. [4]
          mtset
          Link Parent
          A time-honored tradition in higher education, unfortunately.

          A time-honored tradition in higher education, unfortunately.

          2 votes
          1. [3]
            vord
            Link Parent
            Yes and no. Prior to the 2010's campuses tended to foster legitimate debate to enhance our understanding of the world. Critical race theory wouldn't exist as such without the support of the educators.

            Yes and no. Prior to the 2010's campuses tended to foster legitimate debate to enhance our understanding of the world.

            Critical race theory wouldn't exist as such without the support of the educators.

            1 vote
            1. [2]
              mtset
              Link Parent
              Sure - but school administrations have been right-leaning by virtue of their dependence on wealthy donors since the early 50s at the very least. See for instance one of my favorite folk songs,...

              Sure - but school administrations have been right-leaning by virtue of their dependence on wealthy donors since the early 50s at the very least. See for instance one of my favorite folk songs, Phil Ochs' I'm Gonna Say It Now.

              6 votes
              1. vord
                Link Parent
                This is true. Nobody likes the top-level administration. Private universities are deffo more problematic in that regard. Free college for all, and ban all private schooling.

                This is true. Nobody likes the top-level administration. Private universities are deffo more problematic in that regard.

                Free college for all, and ban all private schooling.

                3 votes
  2. [4]
    mtset
    Link
    This is undated and uncontextualized - may I ask if there's a particular reason you're posting it now?

    This is undated and uncontextualized - may I ask if there's a particular reason you're posting it now?

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      lou
      Link Parent
      Yes, of course. This showed on my RSS feed today.

      Yes, of course. This showed on my RSS feed today.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        mtset
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Gotchya! Edit: Is this possibly in response to this letter?

        Gotchya! Edit: Is this possibly in response to this letter?

        3 votes
        1. lou
          Link Parent
          I really can't say, but due to content and circumstance, this does seem likely. Thank you for the info.

          I really can't say, but due to content and circumstance, this does seem likely. Thank you for the info.

          2 votes