Excellent article. Gender studies relies on white liberal middle class guilt to suspend critical evaluation of its concepts. It has also benefited from using these sensitivities to gain influence and authority in academic politics. The New College episode manifests what happens when skilled politicians move into the campus fray to implement public policy aims, and when men and women sans guilt clearly evaluate goofy arguments. Mitch Daniel’s administration of Purdue has also produced impressive results. Leaders of the feminist movement have not calculated how they will contend with efforts to contain their antics. I doubt they will learn from this episode.
Unfortunately, even in more rational disciplines like science, true change often must wait for the elites in charge, who are wedded to their notions, to die and not be replaced by their followers.
Very True. However, with tightening budgets and students increasingly dissatisfied with returns on their educational investment, pressure is there for change. The economic rents graduates enjoyed in the past, are being eroded. I would argue that it is not because of an over supply of graduates but because they offer very little to the bottom line. Reading, writing, numeracy and critical thinking are fundamental to taking action to build businesses and value in capitalism. When people do have this they find themselves locked in process and meaningless work and not earning returns on their education. However, when they can change businesses processes, strategies and value creation and lead others in the process, returns abound. It is an unhappy lesson I am seeing many people learn.
I do hope so. One of the unfortunate effects of this huge gender studies industry in the USA (and Canada) is that we British have a great tendency to copy things from North America, usually with a time delay of about 5 years. Which often means we are well into the swing of some fad or other just at the point its fading in North America. This process seems to take even longer in non English speaking European countries. With Spain's recent storm in a teacup, the "non consensual" kiss, revealing the same notions of Toxic masculinity, rape culture , micro-aggressions and so on, that are so familiar after a couple of decades here. One hopes we'll be equally impressionable if there is a pulling back in the USA and Canada.
Isn't it incredible? I've heard that Spain's family court system has become truly toxic for fathers. The kiss business is so astounding that I thought of writing about it but gave up because I literally don't know what I could say beyond the obvious.
Yes over the past few years Spain has passed draconian laws, starting with Domestic abuse of course. One of the problems in many European countries is the voting systems tend to produce coalition governments dependent on the support of small parties. This leverage often leads to quite niche ideas/policies/laws as the small partners are given their way. It used to be various forms of "greens" but in Spain and one or two others the feminist gender wars have come into vogue.
Excellent article. Gender studies relies on white liberal middle class guilt to suspend critical evaluation of its concepts. It has also benefited from using these sensitivities to gain influence and authority in academic politics. The New College episode manifests what happens when skilled politicians move into the campus fray to implement public policy aims, and when men and women sans guilt clearly evaluate goofy arguments. Mitch Daniel’s administration of Purdue has also produced impressive results. Leaders of the feminist movement have not calculated how they will contend with efforts to contain their antics. I doubt they will learn from this episode.
Eventually, there will definitely be concerted resistance to their nonsense. I'm not sure the time has come, but I hope it has.
What I have noticed is that the conversations that in my opinion we need to have, and I would have liked to have had 4 decades ago are now happening.
I'm glad you are seeing that, my friend.
But I grieve for what I want.
Unfortunately, even in more rational disciplines like science, true change often must wait for the elites in charge, who are wedded to their notions, to die and not be replaced by their followers.
Very True. However, with tightening budgets and students increasingly dissatisfied with returns on their educational investment, pressure is there for change. The economic rents graduates enjoyed in the past, are being eroded. I would argue that it is not because of an over supply of graduates but because they offer very little to the bottom line. Reading, writing, numeracy and critical thinking are fundamental to taking action to build businesses and value in capitalism. When people do have this they find themselves locked in process and meaningless work and not earning returns on their education. However, when they can change businesses processes, strategies and value creation and lead others in the process, returns abound. It is an unhappy lesson I am seeing many people learn.
I do hope so. One of the unfortunate effects of this huge gender studies industry in the USA (and Canada) is that we British have a great tendency to copy things from North America, usually with a time delay of about 5 years. Which often means we are well into the swing of some fad or other just at the point its fading in North America. This process seems to take even longer in non English speaking European countries. With Spain's recent storm in a teacup, the "non consensual" kiss, revealing the same notions of Toxic masculinity, rape culture , micro-aggressions and so on, that are so familiar after a couple of decades here. One hopes we'll be equally impressionable if there is a pulling back in the USA and Canada.
Isn't it incredible? I've heard that Spain's family court system has become truly toxic for fathers. The kiss business is so astounding that I thought of writing about it but gave up because I literally don't know what I could say beyond the obvious.
Sometimes a short post stating the obvious is the best thing to do.
As in KISS, Keep It Simple, Stupid!
This is for the stupid of course, not the people who write simple things for the stupid.
Yes over the past few years Spain has passed draconian laws, starting with Domestic abuse of course. One of the problems in many European countries is the voting systems tend to produce coalition governments dependent on the support of small parties. This leverage often leads to quite niche ideas/policies/laws as the small partners are given their way. It used to be various forms of "greens" but in Spain and one or two others the feminist gender wars have come into vogue.