Insightful, important essay. I found myself bringing up dignity culture to some students yesterday, vis-a-vis the guillotine. (There was a subtext, since this particular French female student had been among those to complain that I was 'belittling' them by using the Socratic method). The nobles executed before Madame du Barry -- Marie Antoinette -- went to the guillotine with dignity, whereas Du Barry wailed and begged for mercy.
It was ironic how excited she got when describing some medieval torture involving a rat trying to claw its way out of a metal ball.
Anyway, even though Du Barry's wailing sent some modicum of pity in motion, I find dignity ideal. It takes such incredible restraint -- a quality and a skill.
The director who reported the students' complaint to me (they felt "anxious and uncomfortable") advised NOT CHALLENGING THE STUDENTS. There's a heavy, rather oppressive matriarchal atmosphere in this department (the entire university) that places emotion over reason. I see this among friends who can't even read or process any information about Trump in an objective manner. My colleagues are given to catastrophizing. I am obligated to make students feel "safe and comfortable" more so, it seems, than pushing them to think critically.
This isn't going to end well. I don't understand why they fail to connect their causes to actual effects.
I consider this two-post set one of your weakest. It omits so much (particularly some of the analysis you posted recently!) that it fails to present a credible narrative. Just a consistent narrative, which is not saying much.
On the other hand, I look forward to the day you find the courage to write as extensively about Australia and its Aboriginal issues. After all, this is where you live and have firsthand experience—unlike your commentary on the United States, which relies solely on literature.
Insightful, important essay. I found myself bringing up dignity culture to some students yesterday, vis-a-vis the guillotine. (There was a subtext, since this particular French female student had been among those to complain that I was 'belittling' them by using the Socratic method). The nobles executed before Madame du Barry -- Marie Antoinette -- went to the guillotine with dignity, whereas Du Barry wailed and begged for mercy.
It was ironic how excited she got when describing some medieval torture involving a rat trying to claw its way out of a metal ball.
Anyway, even though Du Barry's wailing sent some modicum of pity in motion, I find dignity ideal. It takes such incredible restraint -- a quality and a skill.
The director who reported the students' complaint to me (they felt "anxious and uncomfortable") advised NOT CHALLENGING THE STUDENTS. There's a heavy, rather oppressive matriarchal atmosphere in this department (the entire university) that places emotion over reason. I see this among friends who can't even read or process any information about Trump in an objective manner. My colleagues are given to catastrophizing. I am obligated to make students feel "safe and comfortable" more so, it seems, than pushing them to think critically.
This isn't going to end well. I don't understand why they fail to connect their causes to actual effects.
They already thought Critically and became Critias.
I consider this two-post set one of your weakest. It omits so much (particularly some of the analysis you posted recently!) that it fails to present a credible narrative. Just a consistent narrative, which is not saying much.
On the other hand, I look forward to the day you find the courage to write as extensively about Australia and its Aboriginal issues. After all, this is where you live and have firsthand experience—unlike your commentary on the United States, which relies solely on literature.
What am I omitting?
A lot of variables, and their interplay. I will wait for the other two posts, but I am not holding my breath from what I have read until now.
The State is lost and there’s long since no honor in endless indignities and fear.
Trump but a physic that grants brief reprieve, and organization for war.
Arm yourself, your dignity is in Honor.
(The Black male is a Democratic Party violence vendor, the same relationship exists with cartels and before the Mafia and KKK).