Greg Lukianoff, President of FIRE, discusses the current state of cancel culture, revealing surprising stats on schools with the best and worst free speech ratings. They also explore the broader significance of academia, alternative hiring criteria, and the origins of cancel culture in 2014. The conversation touches on the rise of shout downs, the value of elite schools, the decline of free speech on campuses, the varsity blues scandal, and the concept of unhappiness.
Cancel culture is most prevalent in elite colleges, causing shout downs and violence in response to speech.
The pressure to attend elite colleges is driven by the belief that it guarantees success and protects against downward socio-economic mobility.
Social media exacerbates mental health issues among young people, incentivizing victimhood and apocalyptic thinking, but encouraging rational analysis can combat negative effects.
Deep dives
The Strength of Cancel Culture and its Impact on Professors
According to data, the worst years for cancel culture on college campuses, particularly affecting professors, were 2020 and 2021. Cancel culture is concentrated in elite colleges, with shout downs and violence in response to speech increasing. The increase in administrators and the lack of viewpoint diversity contribute to the unfriendly free speech environment. The mass bureaucratization of higher education has created a culture of safetyism, where students are taught to catastrophize, follow their feelings, and see themselves as victims.
The Disproportionate Focus on Elite Colleges and Prestige
The obsession with getting into elite colleges stems from the belief that it guarantees success and protects against a downward socio-economic spiral. The emphasis on prestige and the fear of falling out of the upper class contribute to the pressure of achieving academic success. Parents invest significant time and effort in their children's lives, driving them towards prestigious universities to secure their future, perpetuating the idea that success and happiness are directly tied to attending elite schools.
The Role of Social Media and its Effect on Mental Health
Social media, with its billions of eyes and voices, has exacerbated mental health issues, especially among young people. The constant comparison, fear of missing out, and exposure to extreme ideas and catastrophizing narratives can lead to anxiety and depression. Incentivizing victimhood and teaching students to think in apocalyptic terms further contributes to unhappiness. Encouraging an internal locus of control and rational analysis can help combat these negative effects and promote healthier perspectives.
The Value and Impact of Reading the Bible
Reading the Bible can provide fascinating insights and perspectives. Each book carries its own weight, with stories ranging from the mundane to the trippy. While some parts may seem irrelevant, every chapter offers unique glimpses into historical traditions and the human experience. The New Testament, often seen as less exciting, presents action-packed narratives that challenge preconceptions. Engaging with the Bible can offer a deeper understanding of religion, history, and culture.
Questioning Conventional Wisdom: Always Trusting Your Feelings
The conventional wisdom of always trusting your feelings is generally bad advice. Relying solely on emotions can cause distorted thinking, catastrophizing, and irrational decision-making. Taking a rational approach, such as using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, can help minimize cognitive distortions and promote more balanced thinking. Analyzing situations objectively and considering both logical and emotional factors leads to better decision-making and overall well-being.
On this episode of World of DaaS, Auren and Greg delve into the current state of cancel culture. Greg reveals surprising stats on which schools are the best and worst for free speech in 2024 and breaks down the escalating levels of shoutdowns and violence observed on campuses in 2020 and 2021.
Beyond campus dynamics, the discussion expands to the broader significance of the situation in academia and what the value of a degree should be in the workforce. Greg advocates for a shift in focus from degrees as a metric of value, and talks about what smart companies are looking towards for alternative hiring criteria. Auren and Greg also explore of the origins of cancel culture in 2014, tying in historical lessons on censorship and highlighting the interplay between free speech and the contemporary culture of safetyism.
