#1191 - Peter Boghossian & James Lindsay
Peter Boghossian is a philosophy instructor, activist, author, speaker, and atheism advocate. He is a full-time faculty member at Portland State University. James Lindsay has a Ph.D. in mathematics and a background in physics and is also the author of three books.
Episodes with Peter Boghossian
Categories
Key Takeaways
Absurdity in academia can be highlighted through extreme research topics.
This approach reveals how serious issues can be masked by nonsensical scholarship.
The peer review process in academia often overlooks ridiculous claims.
Understanding this can help identify flaws in how academic credibility is established.
The Civil Rights Movement is being used to advance contemporary political agendas.
This highlights the manipulation of historical movements for modern activism.
Post-modern philosophy has significantly shaped current social justice ideologies.
Understanding this influence is crucial for analyzing today's political discourse.
The term 'problematize' is used to analyze social issues critically.
This highlights a growing trend in academia to dissect and critique various societal norms.
Watch the full episode of #1191 - Peter Boghossian & James Lindsay.
Episode Timestamps
Critique of Academia Through Absurd Research Papers
- Discussion highlights absurd academic papers critiquing social justice ideologies.
- Critics argue academia is filled with nonsensical research and ideas.
- Participants share experiences of publishing extreme papers to expose flaws.
Critique of Modern Social Justice and Power Dynamics
- Discussion on the co-opting of the Civil Rights Movement for modern politics.
- The influence of post-modern philosophy on contemporary social justice narratives.
- Concerns about stifling creativity in media due to political correctness.
Analyzing the Problematic Nature of Allyship in Academia
- Discussion revolves around the concept of problematizing allyship in academic papers.
- A controversial paper titled 'Going Back Door' is mentioned, addressing transphobia.
- Critique of academic trends in grievance studies and their implications are highlighted.
Academic Freedom and Controversies in Education Discussed
- Professors face backlash for controversial academic ideas and teaching methods.
- Tenured positions protect academics, but also create challenges in addressing dissent.
- Students are encouraged to avoid uncomfortable discussions, harming intellectual growth.
Discussion on Title IX and Competitive Victimhood in Academia
- Title IX violations create a chilling effect on open discussions in universities.
- Students feel pressured and afraid to voice opinions on sensitive topics.
- Competitive victimhood emerges as a cultural phenomenon in current societal debates.
Redefining Diversity and Inclusion in Today's Society
- The concept of diversity has been distorted in modern discourse.
- Equity and equality are often conflated, leading to misunderstandings.
- Academic ideas are sometimes seen as a form of 'money laundering' knowledge.
Discussion on the Intersection of Ideology and Masculinity
- The conversation critiques the ideology of masculinity and its societal impacts.
- Trump's influence on societal anger and masculinity is explored throughout the discussion.
- The panel addresses how academic research can sometimes lack merit and clarity.
Critique of Cultural Power Dynamics in Comedy and Health Narratives
- Discussion highlights the tension between comedy and political correctness in modern humor.
- The conversation critiques the concept of health privilege and fat acceptance narratives.
- Emphasizes the influence of cultural power on societal norms and communication.
Exploring Weight Stigma and Intersectionality in Society
- Weight stigma and its impact on societal perceptions were critically examined.
- Intersectionality was discussed in the context of race and body image.
- The idea of competitive victimhood among marginalized groups was highlighted.
Debate on Free Speech and Campus Culture Challenges
- Students face issues with free speech on college campuses today.
- Enrollment declines reflect broader societal issues regarding discourse and ideas.
- Social media's impact leads to entitlement in expressing opinions without merit.
Discussion on the Infantilization of Young Adults and Ideological Diversity
- The infantilization of young adults limits critical thinking and ideological engagement.
- There is a growing concern over the dominance of identity politics in education.
- The need for diverse voices in academia to foster intellectual resilience is emphasized.
Debate on Whiteness and Jewish Identity in Academia
- Discussion on critical whiteness studies and Jewish identity's academic representation.
- Critique of identity politics and its impact on political discourse.
- Examination of cultural appropriation issues surrounding modern celebrations like Halloween.
Discussion on Cultural Appropriation and Academic Trends
- Cultural appropriation in costumes raises concerns and reactions among societies.
- Academics express fears about ideological conformity impacting education and discourse.
- Public sentiment is shifting positively towards challenging cultural narratives.
People Mentioned
Helen Pluckrose
Academician, Critic of social justice in academia, Academic
James DeMor
Academic, Critic of social justice in academia
Gad Saad
Professor, Public Intellectual
Brett Weinstein
Media Personality, Professor, Public Speaker, Academic
Megan Kelly
Media Personality
Lisa Wade
Author and Scholar
Charlotte Cooper
Author, Activist
Heather Heying
Academic, Media Personality
Tom Nichols
Author, Politician
Jordan Peterson
Psychologist, Author, Media Personality
Bo Rothstein
Political Scientist
Nick Christakis
Academician
Mike Naina
Filmmaker, YouTuber
Places Mentioned
Portland, Oregon
City
Santa Monica
City
Sweden
Country
Books Mentioned
The Coddling of the American Mind
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
Notable Quotes
"Literally filled nonsense, taught nonsense people live nonsense bubbles."
Discussing the quality of academic research.
"Rape culture queer performativity dog parks Portland, Oregon."
Citing an example of an outrageous published paper.
"They've actually tapped throw around term, post-modern notion everything society power dynamics."
Discussing how post-modern philosophy has infiltrated social justice rhetoric.
"Like, agree that. preposterous. life we're talking about."
Commenting on the absurdity of certain social justice arguments.
"Everything problematize everything. Dog parks problematize everything."
Discussing the tendency to critique all facets of society.