I recently had the pleasure of serving as one of the judges for a high school debate program called Incubate Debate held at the New College of Florida.
Thank you Bill Frezza and Anna Krylov. Incubate Debate is good news. But let’s also see it as a wake up call. Bill Frezza mentions the "toxic identity-besotted ideological swamp into which K-12 education has devolved" as matter of fact that we have normalized. Is it time for Heterodox Academy and FIRE to focus on the students who are in the “swamp,” subject to "toxic identity-besotted" indoctrination. We are delighted to find a group of students who are "totally uninfected by the Woke Mind Virus." Should we acknowledge the horrific reality of those who are “infected” and calling out for help?
Incubate Debate exemplifies the effort of the public to restore scholarly discourse in education. It defines the public as the actors and the faculty as spectators. Is it time for the educators to do heavy lifting? Should we focus on our responsibility to free our students.
Innumerable people who devote and devoted their lives to the pursuit of knowledge rely on organizations that advocate for academic freedom to guard the sanctity of grade schools and universities as institutions of learning. Let’ not wait for the public to do the job for our students.
I read the judge's profile document (linked in the article) with absolute bafflement. I'm not familiar with these events, so I have no idea what the function of such a document is, but how is it that someone tasked with judging a debate can present as such an openly extreme and unapologetically biased ideologue? It's absurd.
If this judge's profile surprises you, I guess you have not been following what is going on. It is a nightmare. That document is just the tip of the iceberg.
We are in REALLY dire straits. Many are in denial. But our culture is in serious distress.
What I find almost astounding are the "pro-woke" characters who wander into this part of Substack to attack those of us who are expressing concern. They nitpick and badger and threaten others. It is amazing.
I am glad to read about the success of Incubate Debate, which we sorely need. I am also pleased to see the emergence of the MIT Free Speech Alliance, as an alumnus of MIT.
MIT needs to return to sanity, badly. And anything we can do to assist in this effort is critical.
We are fighting against powerful forces. And the stakes are incredibly high. So, we cannot falter.
Yes, Incubate Debate is a great program for us to adopt. Let’s transform our universities from platforms for free expression, regardless of content, into platforms for debate, open critical evaluation and self correction. (1) To do so we would need to self inquire and open our own (Heterodox and FIRE) orthodoxies to debate. (2)
By 1915, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Declaration of Principles on Academic Freedom, concluded that “freedom of inquiry and research” “is almost everywhere so safeguarded that the dangers of its infringement are slight. It (they) may therefore be disregarded in this report.”
So, let’s ask: are we barking up the wrong tree? Are we as orthodox as DEI? We have freedom of speech and we have freedom of inquiry as never before in the history of humankind. So, let’s redefine our aims and focus on restoring scholarly discourse to the university campus. Let’s redefine free inquiry as the introductory step to scholarly discourse. Let’s change campus protests to campus debates.
There're so many important points in this article, I wish the author didn't use the word "Woke Mind Virus". I have no objection to the term myself and am in total agreement. But the term is blatantly divisive enough that it will automatically turn away many people who would've otherwise read to the end. It could've made even people who are left leaning or firmly left think twice. I'm in no way wishing the author to self-censor. I'm only find it a lost opportunity for this article to reach and convince a wider audience.
You are correct, in a way. But this is a pretty desperate struggle we are in. I am not sure a potentially divisive phrase like "woke mind virus" will hurt the cause.
For those who find the term offensive, they are probably beyond reach already.
This is a long term proposition. This is going to take decades because the "other side" has already almost completely conquered the culture. They have the schools and universities, they have the media, they have entertainment, they have the legal system, they have the medical system, they have Big Tech and most corporations, they have finance, and on and on and on. Any effort to rebuild a sliver of sanity is going to be a long hard battle.
Well let's see. You said "still focused on woke". What did you mean, by "still"? That is not an important issue? What do you think Heterodox STEM is about? You think that woke ideology is not a problem in STEM or for Western culture? Should we just ignore it taking over everything? Many advocate this. I encounter them constantly. But, I respectfully disagree.
You think everyone applauding Incubate Debate here is wrong? That this does not "merit special attention"? Really? That seems like a somewhat outrageous claim, to say the least.
So you think these "two debate formats" are just that, something boring and irrelevant, do you? I am not sure these are just two symmetric and equivalent procedures. From what I know, and I have paid attention to this topic for many months if not a year or two, that is not what is going on here.
What is "your point" exactly? Because all I can glean from your post is problematic at best. I could really analyze it more carefully and critically, but I think your post is so ridiculous that it does not warrant anyone spending any time on it.
If you have some brilliant point to make, perhaps you should put some effort into describing it properly so someone else can understand it. I doubt if any of the other readers here can discern what you are attempting to convey.
In fact, your post looked so stupid and trollish that I debated even responding to it. What is the point? Is there a point? Somewhere? Anywhere?
Mr. Frezza wrote: 'Unlike the NSDA, which front-loads its debate questions with heaping helpings of wokeness like “How should the education system be reformed to address systemic inequities?” the last Incubate Debate finals tackled the vexing question “Should college DEI programs be abolished?”'
My point was that a topic like “Should college DEI programs be abolished?” is in essence a similar front-loading of debate questions and may only serve to sustain the inordinate amount of attention paid to the issue of "wokeness".
As for the overt aggression in your response, not only is it ugly, but it leads me to question your understanding of the meaning and entire point of a "Free Speech Alliance".
With all due respect, let me make a suggestion to you. Why not create another debate organization, tailored to your own particular interests and standards?
If the two described here are not to your tastes, make one that is, if this topic is so important to you.
I am sure that Heterodox STEM or any one of numerous other platforms would be interested in publishing an essay or two about your plans.
If you dislike any discussion of woke, then move beyond it. Start a new cultural movement. Do not just complain. Do something.
Ok, you seem to be more than a bit hostile. I guess I was correct. You are a troll.
Whatever...we get them. People who, for whatever reason, are dedicated to the destruction of STEM and even of Western Civilization itself.
And I think free speech is important. Why? To tell people like you what we think of them. You can write nonsense if you like. But do not expect to be unchallenged. You cannot do it with impunity around me.
You clearly have not researched the current state of mainstream debate culture in the US. In fact, I suspect you are a person who thinks there is nothing wrong with it. Sure. That is why it is in its current condition.
If your version of free speech is you get to attack everyone else for meaningless foolishness, and they stay silent in response, then we clearly do not understand each other.
I also think you have no idea what MIT is about. To you, it is just three capital letters, I guess. I found it to be one of the most hellish environments imaginable. And nonsense would be responded to with savage brutality. That is how we get to excellence. But this "MIT way" is under assault. That led to the creation of Heterodox STEM, because people just like you have been demanding that only those with no competency or merit be hired or admitted to MIT. To be "fair".
If you think that is no problem, and that Elon Musk is just a terrible irrelevant jerk, then it would all fit. And if that offends you, then if you were ever to attend a place like MIT back decades ago, I guarantee you would not have been able to last one single week.
You clearly have no idea what you are opining about.
It's so uplifting to come across a piece of good news! Hopefully, not all is lost.
Thank you Bill Frezza and Anna Krylov. Incubate Debate is good news. But let’s also see it as a wake up call. Bill Frezza mentions the "toxic identity-besotted ideological swamp into which K-12 education has devolved" as matter of fact that we have normalized. Is it time for Heterodox Academy and FIRE to focus on the students who are in the “swamp,” subject to "toxic identity-besotted" indoctrination. We are delighted to find a group of students who are "totally uninfected by the Woke Mind Virus." Should we acknowledge the horrific reality of those who are “infected” and calling out for help?
Incubate Debate exemplifies the effort of the public to restore scholarly discourse in education. It defines the public as the actors and the faculty as spectators. Is it time for the educators to do heavy lifting? Should we focus on our responsibility to free our students.
Innumerable people who devote and devoted their lives to the pursuit of knowledge rely on organizations that advocate for academic freedom to guard the sanctity of grade schools and universities as institutions of learning. Let’ not wait for the public to do the job for our students.
This is wonderful! And such a hopeful sign.
I read the judge's profile document (linked in the article) with absolute bafflement. I'm not familiar with these events, so I have no idea what the function of such a document is, but how is it that someone tasked with judging a debate can present as such an openly extreme and unapologetically biased ideologue? It's absurd.
If this judge's profile surprises you, I guess you have not been following what is going on. It is a nightmare. That document is just the tip of the iceberg.
We are in REALLY dire straits. Many are in denial. But our culture is in serious distress.
What I find almost astounding are the "pro-woke" characters who wander into this part of Substack to attack those of us who are expressing concern. They nitpick and badger and threaten others. It is amazing.
I am glad to read about the success of Incubate Debate, which we sorely need. I am also pleased to see the emergence of the MIT Free Speech Alliance, as an alumnus of MIT.
MIT needs to return to sanity, badly. And anything we can do to assist in this effort is critical.
We are fighting against powerful forces. And the stakes are incredibly high. So, we cannot falter.
Yes, Incubate Debate is a great program for us to adopt. Let’s transform our universities from platforms for free expression, regardless of content, into platforms for debate, open critical evaluation and self correction. (1) To do so we would need to self inquire and open our own (Heterodox and FIRE) orthodoxies to debate. (2)
By 1915, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Declaration of Principles on Academic Freedom, concluded that “freedom of inquiry and research” “is almost everywhere so safeguarded that the dangers of its infringement are slight. It (they) may therefore be disregarded in this report.”
So, let’s ask: are we barking up the wrong tree? Are we as orthodox as DEI? We have freedom of speech and we have freedom of inquiry as never before in the history of humankind. So, let’s redefine our aims and focus on restoring scholarly discourse to the university campus. Let’s redefine free inquiry as the introductory step to scholarly discourse. Let’s change campus protests to campus debates.
1. https://journalofcontroversialideas.org/download/article/3/1/236/pdf
2. https://gideonsteinbach.substack.com/p/pedagogical-malpractice?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
So nice to hear this!
Wish this had been around when my kid was still in HS!
Dear Bill,
Thank you so much for this look at sanity and hope. I love the absolute joy and admiration on your face.
thanks,
randy
There're so many important points in this article, I wish the author didn't use the word "Woke Mind Virus". I have no objection to the term myself and am in total agreement. But the term is blatantly divisive enough that it will automatically turn away many people who would've otherwise read to the end. It could've made even people who are left leaning or firmly left think twice. I'm in no way wishing the author to self-censor. I'm only find it a lost opportunity for this article to reach and convince a wider audience.
You are correct, in a way. But this is a pretty desperate struggle we are in. I am not sure a potentially divisive phrase like "woke mind virus" will hurt the cause.
For those who find the term offensive, they are probably beyond reach already.
This is a long term proposition. This is going to take decades because the "other side" has already almost completely conquered the culture. They have the schools and universities, they have the media, they have entertainment, they have the legal system, they have the medical system, they have Big Tech and most corporations, they have finance, and on and on and on. Any effort to rebuild a sliver of sanity is going to be a long hard battle.
"... the last Incubate Debate finals tackled the vexing question “Should college DEI programs be abolished?"
So Incubate Debate is still focused on 'woke', except that it is on the other side of the debate, so to speak.
Why does this then merit special attention? Seems to me like the two debate formats, are two sides of the same coin, like so much else in our world.
Yes, and no. If you think there are no problems currently, then you are probably part of the problem.
:-) Looks like you missed my point entirely.
Well let's see. You said "still focused on woke". What did you mean, by "still"? That is not an important issue? What do you think Heterodox STEM is about? You think that woke ideology is not a problem in STEM or for Western culture? Should we just ignore it taking over everything? Many advocate this. I encounter them constantly. But, I respectfully disagree.
You think everyone applauding Incubate Debate here is wrong? That this does not "merit special attention"? Really? That seems like a somewhat outrageous claim, to say the least.
So you think these "two debate formats" are just that, something boring and irrelevant, do you? I am not sure these are just two symmetric and equivalent procedures. From what I know, and I have paid attention to this topic for many months if not a year or two, that is not what is going on here.
What is "your point" exactly? Because all I can glean from your post is problematic at best. I could really analyze it more carefully and critically, but I think your post is so ridiculous that it does not warrant anyone spending any time on it.
If you have some brilliant point to make, perhaps you should put some effort into describing it properly so someone else can understand it. I doubt if any of the other readers here can discern what you are attempting to convey.
In fact, your post looked so stupid and trollish that I debated even responding to it. What is the point? Is there a point? Somewhere? Anywhere?
Mr. Frezza wrote: 'Unlike the NSDA, which front-loads its debate questions with heaping helpings of wokeness like “How should the education system be reformed to address systemic inequities?” the last Incubate Debate finals tackled the vexing question “Should college DEI programs be abolished?”'
My point was that a topic like “Should college DEI programs be abolished?” is in essence a similar front-loading of debate questions and may only serve to sustain the inordinate amount of attention paid to the issue of "wokeness".
As for the overt aggression in your response, not only is it ugly, but it leads me to question your understanding of the meaning and entire point of a "Free Speech Alliance".
Moving on.
With all due respect, let me make a suggestion to you. Why not create another debate organization, tailored to your own particular interests and standards?
If the two described here are not to your tastes, make one that is, if this topic is so important to you.
I am sure that Heterodox STEM or any one of numerous other platforms would be interested in publishing an essay or two about your plans.
If you dislike any discussion of woke, then move beyond it. Start a new cultural movement. Do not just complain. Do something.
Ok, you seem to be more than a bit hostile. I guess I was correct. You are a troll.
Whatever...we get them. People who, for whatever reason, are dedicated to the destruction of STEM and even of Western Civilization itself.
And I think free speech is important. Why? To tell people like you what we think of them. You can write nonsense if you like. But do not expect to be unchallenged. You cannot do it with impunity around me.
You clearly have not researched the current state of mainstream debate culture in the US. In fact, I suspect you are a person who thinks there is nothing wrong with it. Sure. That is why it is in its current condition.
If your version of free speech is you get to attack everyone else for meaningless foolishness, and they stay silent in response, then we clearly do not understand each other.
I also think you have no idea what MIT is about. To you, it is just three capital letters, I guess. I found it to be one of the most hellish environments imaginable. And nonsense would be responded to with savage brutality. That is how we get to excellence. But this "MIT way" is under assault. That led to the creation of Heterodox STEM, because people just like you have been demanding that only those with no competency or merit be hired or admitted to MIT. To be "fair".
If you think that is no problem, and that Elon Musk is just a terrible irrelevant jerk, then it would all fit. And if that offends you, then if you were ever to attend a place like MIT back decades ago, I guarantee you would not have been able to last one single week.
You clearly have no idea what you are opining about.