A couple years ago I made a comment on a news article about the side effects of the COVID vaccine. It was the most middle-of-the-road, moderate, milquetoast comment I have probably ever made. I have never received so many hateful responses. One "tribe" called me an anti-vaccer and the other accused me of being a useful idiot of the drug companies. I guess you can't win being in the middle of an issue!
On a related note, working in academia I have found many "big shots" working in top USA universities so (technically) unimpressive (except for the huge egos). It is very apparent that DEI is not helping, but I would say that there is a broader problem of people getting into academia with the mindset of looting the system rather than giving a contribution, which seems closely connected to the "hollow state/institution" concept you talked about. This plagiarism attack on Harvard and the subsequent response only reinforces my belief that playing politics rather than technical excellence is paramount to reach the top in academia.
As Thomas Sowell said, “One of the best things about going to Harvard is that, for the rest of your life, you are neither intimidated nor impressed by people who went to Harvard.”
It’s exhausted living in an inverse Northern Ireland and realizing at some point a declaration of allegiance one way or another must be made, whether truthfully or not, to participate in the institutions that still play an important role in our society.
Nice article John. The political right, in general, is not in the game of winning territory based on a philosophical strategy. As you outlined about “anti-zionism = anti-semitism” and therefore should not be allowed on campus. The right is using this fabricated “hate-crime” as retaliation against the political left. Sadly, such legislation only empowers .gov and .edu to further increase the net of unapproved speech. Not that these school are hurting for money, but the real power comes when donors cancel their multi-million dollar philanthropy commitments.
Great article John thank you. If I may? My family and friends are looking to build a network of compounds in the county. 10-50 acres that can be farmed and have multiple buildings. We're also looking at spreading our influence in this and the surrounding counties. There's more but I don't want to be too wordy. Are we on the right track?
A couple years ago I made a comment on a news article about the side effects of the COVID vaccine. It was the most middle-of-the-road, moderate, milquetoast comment I have probably ever made. I have never received so many hateful responses. One "tribe" called me an anti-vaccer and the other accused me of being a useful idiot of the drug companies. I guess you can't win being in the middle of an issue!
On a related note, working in academia I have found many "big shots" working in top USA universities so (technically) unimpressive (except for the huge egos). It is very apparent that DEI is not helping, but I would say that there is a broader problem of people getting into academia with the mindset of looting the system rather than giving a contribution, which seems closely connected to the "hollow state/institution" concept you talked about. This plagiarism attack on Harvard and the subsequent response only reinforces my belief that playing politics rather than technical excellence is paramount to reach the top in academia.
Very much so. Tribal politics.
As Thomas Sowell said, “One of the best things about going to Harvard is that, for the rest of your life, you are neither intimidated nor impressed by people who went to Harvard.”
Yeah, I’ve realized that an “elite” college degree is not really an indicator of anything.
“They graduated from Harvard”
Okay...well, I’m going to have to see some of their recent work to know if they’re capable of anything.”
It’s exhausted living in an inverse Northern Ireland and realizing at some point a declaration of allegiance one way or another must be made, whether truthfully or not, to participate in the institutions that still play an important role in our society.
It sounds like Plato's Allegory of the Cave....
Nice article John. The political right, in general, is not in the game of winning territory based on a philosophical strategy. As you outlined about “anti-zionism = anti-semitism” and therefore should not be allowed on campus. The right is using this fabricated “hate-crime” as retaliation against the political left. Sadly, such legislation only empowers .gov and .edu to further increase the net of unapproved speech. Not that these school are hurting for money, but the real power comes when donors cancel their multi-million dollar philanthropy commitments.
Great article John thank you. If I may? My family and friends are looking to build a network of compounds in the county. 10-50 acres that can be farmed and have multiple buildings. We're also looking at spreading our influence in this and the surrounding counties. There's more but I don't want to be too wordy. Are we on the right track?
Yes. Make sure you understand the social terrain as well.
Anti-Zionism is more than just criticizing Israel, it’s calling for its immediate destruction. Not right of you to conflate the two.