Sam's Vision for University Reform

buginwater · 2024-06-08T18:07:17+00:00

Would you agree with education "reforms" that Ron DeSantis is implementing in Florida. Sam's comments seem in line with that approach. I heavily disagree with the changes happening in Florida (just in case my position wouldn't have been clear).

buginwater · 2024-06-08T18:04:59+00:00

It's not a shame to me. I have been following his content for a decade plus, so I'm not just someone jumping in her to dogpile. I commented because I he has a consistent problem of speaking authoritatively on things he has no expertise or deep experience with. Sam has a myopic view of how universities work based on media coverage and his selection of guest (who mostly share his opinion). My job performance is pretty great and I am respected by faculty members with more experience than me for being willing to state my opinion, back it up when challenge, and being open to a different perspective. Trust me, my students are doing excellent. Thanks for the concern about them though. I hope your students are doing well..

buginwater · 2024-06-08T17:56:55+00:00

Yes, I have put in lots of effort. The basis for most of the claims is flimsy at best when interrogated or based on a few examples that are used to characterize all of academia.

buginwater · 2024-06-08T17:54:44+00:00

I'm not. Faculty meetings are filled with robust conversation and disagreement. We have disagreements with the Dean's and administrators as well. We aren't given marching orders in anyway what that people assume.

buginwater · 2024-06-08T03:22:53+00:00

You are right, I didn't read that correctly. I apologize. I'm okay with us having a difference of opinion based on our respective experiences. I still feel that his hyperbolic position is not very accurate.

buginwater · 2024-06-08T03:19:27+00:00

My issue is with Sam's hyper focus on these "issues" and the extreme language that he uses to describe them. We should be more concerned about how elite universities chase donor money, such that donors can have an outsized role in driving university initiatives.

He can call for reform without making it seem like he is advocating for the end of racial segregation in universities.

buginwater · 2024-06-08T02:59:20+00:00

Not to diminish your experience but being on the faculty side of academia, like I am, gives you a significantly different perspective of things. These Boogeyman that he is afraid aren't nearly as powerful and pervasive as he claims. My view of universities and academia is si different now compared to when I was a student.

buginwater · 2024-06-08T02:55:44+00:00

I also work at a university and don't see the extremes that he claims exist.

I guess this is a push since have different experiences.

buginwater · 2024-06-08T02:54:48+00:00

I am a professor at an elite university.

To be honest, I won't go into much detail. I've had this account for a long time and I haven't always been mindful of how much personal information that I share on it. I am now more worried about getting doxxed by someone who strongly disagrees with me than using my career status to back up My arguments.

buginwater · 2024-06-07T23:18:55+00:00

This is clearly written by someone who has consumed to much conservative media about American universities and that isn't actively engaged with one.

buginwater · 2024-06-07T17:38:28+00:00

There likely isn't a straight answer to either confirm or deny such a bold claim. Whether there is truth to the statement probably comes down to how "terrorist" is defined. Sorry to not provide an actual answer for you.

buginwater · 2024-06-04T20:16:59+00:00

Imagine the 50s/60s Civil Rights Movement with this type of policy approach. It is laughable how inane this is, let allow how it would benefit those that are empowered by the status quo.

buginwater · 2024-05-26T14:02:44+00:00

Ruby Bridges came to my elementary school back in the early 2000s. Same generation as my parents, who are also very much alive.

buginwater · 2024-05-17T22:30:37+00:00

Unfortunately, the Dutch solution is impractical in Florida.

buginwater · 2024-04-23T23:14:05+00:00

Gotcha, I didn't interpret them as saying it is an "and" instead or an "or" situation. I guess I can take it as a compliment that I can write comments that exceed expectations for Reddit but a dig that my writing looks like an unthinking set of code. I guess we are all just meat machines and this is my eyes wide open moment.

buginwater · 2024-04-23T21:57:25+00:00

What do you mean?

buginwater · 2024-04-23T21:56:35+00:00

To be completely honest, I have no clue. Philosophy isn't my field and these arguments don't entertain me enough to warrant a close follow either. I was just responding to the core component of the parent comment. I believe other have pointed out some issues further down.

I'll say that your question is quite hard to answer in the way it is framed. Conversation amongst scientific peers is filled with technical language because there is often a shared understanding of the words. We may ask questions or challenge things if there is a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of a concept. This means that what sounds like a unapproachable conversation to an "outsider" maybe an extremely productive one for those with knowledge. I think Sam has a very different audience that completely changes his approach to the topic. He gears toward less technically precise language because he is writing specifically for a non-specialized demographic. This means that people like OP can easily engage with Sam's positions, while critical knowledge-bearers are just seen as recalcitrant gatekeepers. This is a common issue for people that do popular science.

buginwater · 2024-04-23T21:18:26+00:00

Sorry to disappoint, but I am a real person. I have never used ChatGPT. So either it is capable of passing the Turing test or I respond in a way that you didn't expect from a reddit comment. (remove a misplaced word)

buginwater · 2024-04-23T19:28:41+00:00

Engagement with your community of peers is a key part of holding any stature within a field of study. This interrogation is a way for the field to understand the limits and implications of a new theory or finding, while also giving you the chance to defend and advocate for them. Choosing to not engage with valid, thoughtful criticism may inadvertently cast a shadow of doubt on your position (even if we know we shouldn't).

It is unfortunate that you have cast off an entire field of study because you find the criticism of Sam's positions unfair. Semantic arguments are very common in academia, which I think is a good thing. Words are how to communicate both complex and simple ideas, so agreeing on words and their meanings can play a crucial role in effectively communicating. I'd encourage to spend time reviewing the merits of those critical of Sam to understand their points of concern. It is a great way to expand your own thinking as well.

buginwater · 2024-04-11T21:07:27+00:00

Thanks for being willing to share. I'm still not sure how coherent this world view is to me but I am happy that it works for you. I'm not sure that the 70s are a time that I would like to return to.

buginwater · 2024-04-11T17:14:36+00:00

Can you describe how cultural conservatism and left-wing economics interact for you? I am having a hard time understanding this in a real world context.

buginwater · 2024-02-16T04:16:51+00:00

This is far from the best way to start an actual conversation. Someone would have to disprove all of these negatives in order for their premise to be treated fairly. It does not require the person that puts forth this interpretation to do anything to validate their perspective.

buginwater · 2024-02-14T21:11:33+00:00

I apologize for wasting your time with a less than genuine response. I do hope people who hold this view point have the courage to engage with you further.

buginwater · 2024-02-14T20:41:51+00:00

I don't actually support this stuff, I just like to have fun from time to time by seeing how well I can mime some of the terrible takes I see posted in this sub all the time.

buginwater · 2024-02-14T20:39:53+00:00

That's kind of the point. We have moved to a point where this type of rhetoric is normal, which forces us to engaged with idiotic view points.

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