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Original poster

Academics criticise traffic light 'safe space' badges at transgender conference

121 replies

stumbledin · 23/09/2019 00:36

The conference title was "Thinking Beyond: Transversal Transfeminisms"

Delegates attending the one-day forum at Roehampton University, south west London, were invited to wear different coloured lanyards to ensure they did not feel emotionally overwhelmed by sharing ideas.

Those wearing red badges did not wish to engage with their fellow academics, while those in yellow did not want to be approached and would only communicate if they made the first move.

Green badges were worn by attendees open to conversations.

Academics could change the colour of their lanyard depending on how resilient they felt at different points of the conference.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/22/academics-criticise-traffic-light-safe-space-badges-transgender/

The original report was in the Times but because of paywall I have used this link. Think the Times had more detailed.

I am more upset by the idea that anyone should think this has anything to do with feminism.

OP posts:
GCAcademic · 23/09/2019 07:23

Surely that goes against the entire concept of academia? Surely ideas need to be challenged and debated? Otherwise it’s not really “academia” and you’re just shouting into an echo chamber?

There is now a significant number of younger academics who see themselves as activists rather than as scholars. They see their role as expounding certain ideological positions rather than to provide rigorous, reliable research which can then be properly debated. I am very worried about how this is all going to pan out, worried not just for the sector but what this means for society at large.

CaptainKirksSpikeyGhost · 23/09/2019 07:17

Reports like this reconcile me to the possibility of human extinction caused by climate change.
We won't die out due to climate change, most of us (the human race) will die off long before that point.What with mass sterilisation and body mutations happening around us.
A master race if people who think will be the only ones left if it continues.

Dyrne · 23/09/2019 07:17

Surely that goes against the entire concept of academia? Surely ideas need to be challenged and debated? Otherwise it’s not really “academia” and you’re just shouting into an echo chamber?

Or maybe that’s just hilariously naive? I admit i’m not in academia.

Can you imagine if that happened at other academic conferences?

“I’ve just written a paper that asserts that eating toenail clippings cures cancer, and no I will not be accepting any constructive criticism or debate”

I also quite like the idea of having a “fuck off” lanyard though

Juells · 23/09/2019 07:14

A yellow badge meant: “I will approach you if I wish to speak.”

Wearing a yellow badge would indicate a staggering level of entitlement and self-importance.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 23/09/2019 07:13

I thought Biggs summed it up beautifully:

In an academic conference in a university — where freedom of speech is fundamental — it is really inappropriate. It suggests the normal discourse of intellectual life is somehow threatening to people’s safety.

CircleofWillis · 23/09/2019 07:11

Just read in the comments
"What happens is two yellow badge wearers want to speak to each other?"

This can be my brain teaser for the morning.

Juells · 23/09/2019 07:10

My first thought was that the article was meant to be published on April 1st.

There aren't enough FFSs in the world.

Artesia · 23/09/2019 07:09

Mumsnet were clearly ahead of the curve on this- these aren’t emoticons at all. We are supposed to use them at the end of posts to signify whether or not we are open to replies.

Envy Angry Smile

CircleofWillis · 23/09/2019 06:58

Interesting how they believe the red dot will protect them from feminists. Somehow I feel that the likes of Julie Bindel's attacker would not be held back by a red dot. Could it be that feminists are - gulp - non-violent?
🤢
(sorry that's the closest my phone gets to a green dot)

GCAcademic · 23/09/2019 06:54

I’d like to know if I get to have a red lanyard so that colleagues and students don’t approach me? Grin. Am absolutely in favour!

CircleofWillis · 23/09/2019 06:53

Absolute Rubbish! I have only ever encountered this before in workshops with Autistic adults who may be feeling overwhelmed.
I'm going to red dot this message as I cannot cope with any answers that might disagree with me 🔴

Germ1360 · 23/09/2019 06:52

"delegates were asked to wear the lanyards for safeguarding reasons" - more evidence that some people do not understand what safeguarding is.

Germ1360 · 23/09/2019 06:49

"What is a woman?" (badge immediately changes to red)

"Hss inclusive feminism gone too far?" - presumably the debate was over whether or not women should be included in feminism or not.

teawamutu · 23/09/2019 06:40

Going from the comments in the Times, I don't think anyone thought it was actual feminists.

Bezalelle · 23/09/2019 06:27

I was invited to submit a paper at this conference! I was half-tempted, but knew they would never accept anything gender critical. I kind of wish I'd gone anyway, but I don't think my blood pressure/sanity would have held up...

NonnyMouse1337 · 23/09/2019 06:25

What on earth is Transversal Transfeminisms? Confused

Speccy12Eyes · 23/09/2019 03:52

while those in yellow did not want to be approached and would only communicate if they made the first move - digressing somewhat, but I need these purely to stop my neighbours talking to me!

DancelikeEmmaGoldman · 23/09/2019 02:52

Reports like this reconcile me to the possibility of human extinction caused by climate change.

ErrolTheDragon · 23/09/2019 00:48

I wonder if anyone actually chose the red or yellow lanyards?

Goosefoot · 23/09/2019 00:40

I can't imagine getting funding to go to a conference where you didn't intend to talk to anyone.

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