Excellent essay! Thank you for clarifying what is necessary for democracy to survive. I had not thought about the two areas of journalism and academia. Thank you for your continued efforts to speak the truth and to provide those of us that have eyes to see a measure of validation and comfort from your words.
"Rot at the Top!" What Dr Lee describes here is an advanced case, in academia, of "rot at the top". That surprises me. In politics, yes, where rot at the top has long been the operative principle in the United States. It is also the principal cause of our current societal dysfunction. But academia is supposed to be the keeper of the flame, the holiest of holies. Sadly, if Dr. Lee is correct, the flame has gone out too in academia and academia is just another hustle. This is how nations, societies die.
It's my sense, in my own work and more broadly, that those in power need to control outside voices, render them relatively inoffensive, in order to keep their power and control going. In my case (my most recent post on virtue signalling) I was talking about movements for social change, but it applies very much here as well - it's fine to talk in general terms about dangerousness, but to apply it to those in power threatens donations and grants, therefore must be quieted and disassociated from the business that universities become. How will we resolve the most pressing issues of our age if speaking truth to power is only punished?
Thank you, Dr. Lee, for an insightful and truthful article. The God in our country is now money. Unregulated capitalism has not served us well. The banks and universities are simply its soldatos.
“This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind, for here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.”
Thomas Jefferson was a Unitarian.
The 7 principles of Unitarian Universalism are:
1) The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2) Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3) Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4) A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5) The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6) The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7) Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
These are all very useful to me when I feel the chaos and split into “Them vs US” the tribalism mentality.
Thank you. This may seem minor in comparison to your essay: I was, technically still am, a member of a "professional" musicians fraternity. On our campus the rule was that all professional organizations had to be co-ed. We had had a couple of women in our chapter membership. We petitioned our national organization to allow us to have women and men in our organization because of this rule. They denied us this potentially enriching opportunity. We tried several times. Ultimately, the national org said they'd rather have us accept, in my opinion, a downgrade to the status of a social frat. I mean no offense but we are supposed to be professional. Most of us were highly disappointed. We sacrificed our professional status for misogyny and dogma.
Excellent essay! Thank you for clarifying what is necessary for democracy to survive. I had not thought about the two areas of journalism and academia. Thank you for your continued efforts to speak the truth and to provide those of us that have eyes to see a measure of validation and comfort from your words.
💯. Every word. Thank you for the good fight and making good trouble.
"Rot at the Top!" What Dr Lee describes here is an advanced case, in academia, of "rot at the top". That surprises me. In politics, yes, where rot at the top has long been the operative principle in the United States. It is also the principal cause of our current societal dysfunction. But academia is supposed to be the keeper of the flame, the holiest of holies. Sadly, if Dr. Lee is correct, the flame has gone out too in academia and academia is just another hustle. This is how nations, societies die.
Well said! Thank you for your communication skills and leadership.
It's my sense, in my own work and more broadly, that those in power need to control outside voices, render them relatively inoffensive, in order to keep their power and control going. In my case (my most recent post on virtue signalling) I was talking about movements for social change, but it applies very much here as well - it's fine to talk in general terms about dangerousness, but to apply it to those in power threatens donations and grants, therefore must be quieted and disassociated from the business that universities become. How will we resolve the most pressing issues of our age if speaking truth to power is only punished?
Thank you, Dr. Lee, for an insightful and truthful article. The God in our country is now money. Unregulated capitalism has not served us well. The banks and universities are simply its soldatos.
Thank u
“This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind, for here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.”
Thomas Jefferson was a Unitarian.
The 7 principles of Unitarian Universalism are:
1) The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2) Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3) Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4) A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5) The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6) The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7) Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
These are all very useful to me when I feel the chaos and split into “Them vs US” the tribalism mentality.
Thank you. This may seem minor in comparison to your essay: I was, technically still am, a member of a "professional" musicians fraternity. On our campus the rule was that all professional organizations had to be co-ed. We had had a couple of women in our chapter membership. We petitioned our national organization to allow us to have women and men in our organization because of this rule. They denied us this potentially enriching opportunity. We tried several times. Ultimately, the national org said they'd rather have us accept, in my opinion, a downgrade to the status of a social frat. I mean no offense but we are supposed to be professional. Most of us were highly disappointed. We sacrificed our professional status for misogyny and dogma.