Went to an event this afternoon about Academic Freedom Across the Disciplines. Three great presentations, one by a geologist-turned-microbiologist and self-described big mammal who basically said: Gee Wiz, is there really anyone on this campus who is unhappy about anything? Im just so darned happy, I could hug all of you in this room. You feel my big mammal warmth, dont you? Ill growl at anyone who makes you feel unhappy, because I want you all to be happy. And when I growl, other mammals will cower because Im so big. But I wouldnt really hurt another mammal. Im sure everyone will just roll on their backs and we can all just get along as happy, happy mammals. No one will ever be unhappy again. Im not kidding, that was almost exactly what he said. We were not supposed to talk about Steven Salaita. So, irony 1: academic freedom conference has a taboo subject that no one is allowed to mention. Then, the idea was to hear what scientists and humanists thought about academic freedom. Only no one talked about why scientists have nearly nothing to say about firing Steven Salaita but lots and lots of humanities folks have a lot to say. So, irony 2: a conference about academic freedom across the disciplines didnt actually talk about the subject of the conference. Seems like the one really big mammal in the room was an elephant called the firing of Steven Salaita. Heres what I would have said, if I wasnt so flabbergasted: JOIN THE F***KING AAUP IF YOU WANT TO DEFEND ACADEMIC FREEDOM!
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:34:09 +0000
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