Telegraph article on Speechless documentary about universities and ideological capture on BBC

The number of threads there are on Mumsnet about people and their annoying, perpetually late friends… This would be a great addition to those threads. It would be a lovely counterpoint to throw in when the “it’s just rude and I wouldn’t stand for it anymore” comments get a bit repetitive.

It is just rude, though.

I remember being very surprised by the early Peter Boghossian videos which he did at uni campuses.

https://m.youtube.com/@drpeterboghossian?ra=m

There were some universities that contacted security or senior academics to get him off the campus because some people claimed he was causing them harm.

I’m relieved to hear that!

It was broadcast in April.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5518036-anyone-watched-speechless-on-iplayer-and-what-did-you-think?page=1

These programmes were broadcast on the BBC earlier this year. I wondered why The Telegraph had published an article as if this was new news but judging by the number of posters on this thread who have watched the programmes as a result of the article, I guess it's not a bad thing.

She was absolutely being ironic. No doubt about it. Keep watching.

I also watched most of the first episode yesterday and must admit to being put off at first by the documentary maker’s introduction where she describes herself as “cisgender” and “Chelsea boot lefty not a Birkenstock lefty”. I’m still waiting to to see if she was being ironic at this point.

But the extended clips showing spoiled brat students protesting at American universities as well as several interviews with cancelled US academics have been fascinating as well as soul destroying.

I have seen this before. The Smithsonian published a leaflet or poster explaining how being on time was 'white' as were the experimental method etc. About a decade ago, I think. I am not in the US and now can't remember where I found it - but it was depressing.

I watched it and it was good - and frightening. A reminder of how quickly an idea that includes hating someone can spread. I was reminded of the emergence of the National Socialists in Germany (Nazis - a name they hated, since it was what Bavarians called them as an insult).

Thank you, I had no idea for example that the idea of white supremacy was considered to characterise the correct use of language or being on-time. How grim.

I watched the first episode with my teen. We were gobsmacked by the students’ behaviour. It was appalling. I’m planning to watch the second episode with DH tonight.

To be fair, at Evergreen, a lot of the staff were as crazy as the students. Google the Evergreen staff meeting canoe scene.

I can see why it might cause a few ruffled feathers if you pointed straight at someone and shouted "J'accuse!". But just waving your arms about? Does anybody remember the TV science presenter Magnus Pyke? He'd be deplatformed, demonetised, doxed and defenestrated were he alive today.

Oh lord. These universities need to give these kids a stern talking to, and a warning to pull their bloody socks up, or they’re out on their ear.

‘Duh’ indeed!

It’s like an exercise in ‘what new thing can I find to get offended and upset about, in order to keep me centre of attention, and everyone else running around after me’.

It also involves a rather disparaging view of 'non-western' cultures. You don't have to look too hard at the artefacts, architecture or literature of other cultures across the broad sweep of human history to see that people were being very meticulous indeed in their work. Perfectionism as a western, white supremacist notion? Maybe we've 'culturally appropriated' it from elsewhere!

It's very good and very scary. Kathleen Stocks testimony brought tears to my eyes. These are all amazing, strong educators who have been made to suffer so much by these Mao's Children (and their weak, weak managers).

I also suggest (but buckle up!) Brett Weinsteins series of three videos on YouTube about Evergreen

Yep, along with meritocracy, hard work, ability, everything that the people in the West used to make the modern world, is all now 'evil'.

The postmodern theory of knowledge rejects the Enlightenment principles which underpin the traditional Western philosophy that gave us a knowledge based society.

I utterly despair. What a generation of useless puffballs that society has raised. If we are ever invaded by aliens, they'll be the first to go!

Thanks @Veilsofmorning , I work in a uni and I'll check this documentary out.

A quote from the article (bold bit is my own emphasis):

""White supremacy culture” no longer referred to neo-Nazis but, in some academic circles, now included traits such as perfectionism, individualism and a belief in objectivity"

Wow 😬

I've watched this on BBC iPlayer, it is quite eye opening how INSANE some of the students are. If this is what universities are like now then it's no wonder things are so polarised. No critical thinking is done whatsoever. Also, I couldn't fathom just how disrespectful the students were being to the head of the universities, the lecturers and deans. I was at uni over 20 years ago now and it would have never even crossed my mind to speak to anyone like that, never mind the head of the university! Shocking behaviour.

A whole series of videos about the madness at Evergreen State University is on YouTube, including this scene where students demand that the Principal stop moving his hands. Highly recommend, but buckle up- it's nuts!

Watch and smile Cute toddler using hand gestures NOT aggressively!

This will make your day

Trying to add link but failing

Funny enough that's exactly what the manager said when the colleague complained about me making hand gestures when I talked 'I'm not Italian but I use my hands when I speak, it's just one of those things". My colleague had no response because she didn't know what the manager was referring to, I did 😁.

They have obviously never been to a Mediterranean country or watched any cute videos on YouTube of Italian three year olds gesticulating expressively while telling a story: nothing could be further from “aggressive”, which goes to show how American-centric these faddy expressions are.