[PlanTaleks]

Many times I can remember sitting in class... like say in Calculus or Biology or even Physics and the professor will all of a sudden stop talking about stuff relating to the class and start trying to get us involved in some RADICAL LIBRUL CAUSE.

"Today we are going to talk about differential equations, but first WE MUST DEFEND A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE!" True, I've been in sciences and it is generally frowned upon However, I have had history and philo profs go off on tangents not too far from this one.

The science ones have different difficulties. More with church stuff then with any 'radical liberal cause'.

[EmxATW5m]

I'm still unconvinced that the widespread liberal orientation of professors indicates systematic bias. It seems that the logical course of action if conservatives want more conservative professors is to encourage young conservatives to become professors.

[MedicineForUs]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
That's an excellent point. And if you read some of the conservatives who write about this point, they come to the same conclusion. However, where they differ, is they say, why don't we set up our own stuff, rather then having to go through places like UC Berkeley and hoping to have a conservative prof come through. That seems like a poor solution - the conservatives should be interested in balance, not the politicization of education. I think it would be bad for the country as a whole for "liberal" and "conservative" colleges to be created.

Additionally, it will take much, much more time, money, and effort to make a whole corresponding set of conservative institutions that can compete academically with existing institutions and have a national presence.

[Phouepou]

Obviouslky there is a deep bias in the MIlitary vs Liberals, since there is a huge inbalance in it between liberals and conservatives. Those damned Biased General!

I have to actually agree with the diplomat. Academia encourages new thinking-by definition conservative thought is not encouraged.

[DraidodaRip]

Originally posted by Sava


Yes, this is true.

Many times I can remember sitting in class... like say in Calculus or Biology or even Physics and the professor will all of a sudden stop talking about stuff relating to the class and start trying to get us involved in some RADICAL LIBRUL CAUSE.

"Today we are going to talk about differential equations, but first WE MUST DEFEND A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE!"

Sava, you really are one of a kind.

Of course a science prof isn't going to rant about abortion in a middle of a calculus class.

But you know, if you attended college, that students are encouraged to challenge traditional thinking especially in the social sciences like philosophy or sociology. Students are encouraged to think about new ideas, to think outside the box and push the envelop. That's an environment that is going to be conducive to liberalism and not conservatism because by definition, conservatism is about accepting the status quo and traditional values.

[Everwondopedo]

Originally posted by The diplomat
Students are encouraged to think about new ideas, to think outside the box and push the envelop. That's an environment that is going to be conducive to liberalism and not conservatism because by definition, conservatism is about accepting the status quo and traditional values. I agree.

But really what this means is that intelligent people are more likely to be liberal.

Because conservatives tend to accept what they are told and don't think critically.

It's not a bias at all. In fact, it's a lot like the free market system.

Those who want to, become educators. And they tend to be liberal thinking.

[Marlboro-oroblraM]

All the smart people are already going to the good universities.

And there are already other "special" schools for everyone else.

[cmruloah]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten

It's already been done, to a certain extent. Just look at the plethora of private think-tanks that have done much to supplant the former role of academia as the source of analysis and recommendations for policy makers, particularly conservative ones. Oh yes!

Organizations such as the Lincoln Group, a Washington based think-tank that was been under contract with the Pentagon helping them plant stories in the Iraqi media!

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...home-headlines

[...]

Though the articles are basically factual, they present only one side of events and omit information that might reflect poorly on the U.S. or Iraqi governments, officials said. Records and interviews indicate that the U.S. has paid Iraqi newspapers to run dozens of such articles, with headlines such as "Iraqis Insist on Living Despite Terrorism," since the effort began this year.

The operation is designed to mask any connection with the U.S. military. The Pentagon has a contract with a small Washington-based firm called Lincoln Group, which helps translate and place the stories. The Lincoln Group's Iraqi staff, or its subcontractors, sometimes pose as freelance reporters or advertising executives when they deliver the stories to Baghdad media outlets.
[...]

[imporrilk]

I recall quite a number of conservatives professors at my college, but then I was a science major. You know, when you made your reputation inventing napalm and the DOD is using huge quantities of your brainchild in an Asian war you really can't dabble in radical politiics.

[vulikox]

Marketing or public relations organizations, especially of an international character, sometimes refer to themselves as think tanks, for example

I guess the Lincoln Group might be called a "think tank" based on this usage of the term, but it's not a commonly accepted one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_tank

[AnimeThat]

hahaha someone didn't read his own link

nice DanS

[leareliovag]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Additionally, it will take much, much more time, money, and effort to make a whole corresponding set of conservative institutions that can compete academically with existing institutions and have a national presence.

It's already been done, to a certain extent. Just look at the plethora of private think-tanks that have done much to supplant the former role of academia as the source of analysis and recommendations for policy makers, particularly conservative ones. The problem with Think Tanks is that they tend to spew ideology without having to go through the pesky details of peer review where they actually have to prove their ideological positions have some merit. Those you get far more partisan hackery out of the think tanks then you do out of acedemia.

[77Dinaartickire]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
It's already been done, to a certain extent. Just look at the plethora of private think-tanks that have done much to supplant the former role of academia as the source of analysis and recommendations for policy makers, particularly conservative ones. Professors have two primary activities; to teach, and to research (publish). The think tanks are quite adept at the latter, but they do not accomplish the former, which is, I believe, the part of academia that those condemning liberal bias have the most problem with.

[RenyBontes]

Originally posted by Jaguar
I hope you all choke.

[caseferter]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


My reading comprehension is just fine sava.
It must be, given that you claimed Sava was the first to throw insults around, and ignored Japher's remarks about liberals and conservatives which came before Sava's post.

And Timexwatch's too...

Perhaps you mean 'my selective reading comprehension is fine'.


...all conservatives are ignorant and closeminded? Sounds like a little bit of prejudice here, sava. Surely you haven't met every single conservative.
Wonderfully ironic, coming from the man who makes sweeping statements about homosexuality....

Met all the gays and lesbians in Canada yet, Obi Gyn ?

[tutkarussia]

Originally posted by Jaguar

Irrelevant cross-arguments make me sad.
I'm not arguing about rights for gays and lesbians- just noting the irony inherent in Obi Gyn's remark :


Sounds like a little bit of prejudice here, sava. Surely you haven't met every single conservative. But then I'm sure as a good Christian, Obi Gyn is familiar with the message implicit and explicit in this:

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Matthew 7:3

[vekiuytyh]

Originally posted by Cyclotron
You're making Jaguar sad.
I never promised him a rose garden.