The Eternally Radical Idea

The Eternally Radical Idea is a blog focused on free speech, the consequences of cancel culture, and the impact of administrative decisions on academic freedom. It explores issues within higher education, censorship, societal norms, and the importance of diverse viewpoints and open dialogue for progress and innovation.

Free Speech Cancel Culture Academic Freedom Higher Education Reforms Censorship Impact of Administrative Decisions Cultural and Societal Norms Viewpoint Diversity Historical Perspectives on Censorship Freedom of Thought

The hottest Substack posts of The Eternally Radical Idea

And their main takeaways

Harvard, Claudine Gay & “The Silver Spoon Rule”

3518 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
  1. Smart people are good at rationalizing their beliefs, even if they may not be correct. It's a well-documented phenomenon observed in various studies.
  2. Plagiarism accusations against Claudine Gay led to rationalization and downplaying of the issue, showing bias in response.
  3. There's a need for reforms in higher education institutions like Harvard, focusing on free speech, competition, and cutting administrative bloat.

Professor Mike Adams’ suicide still haunts me

4265 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
  1. Cancel Culture can have severe consequences, as seen in the tragic suicide of Professor Mike Adams after facing backlash for his provocative commentary.
  2. The role of provocateurs in society, from comedians to edgy commentators, has historically been recognized as important in challenging societal norms and fostering critical thinking.
  3. The harshness and inhumanity of cancel culture, combined with the pressure of the culture war, can have serious impacts on individuals' mental health, leading to tragedy.

A Tale of Two Congressional Hearings (and several AI poems)

1474 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
  1. AI poses threats to free speech and knowledge creation, particularly in terms of regulatory capture and government oligopoly on AI.
  2. The Congressional hearing on AI and free speech showcased a divide in focus between Democrats and Republicans, revealing different concerns and priorities.
  3. The use of AI for censorship highlights the issue of AI bias and the dangers of regulatory capture, emphasizing the importance of diverse AI models and avoiding governmental intervention.

Mill’s Trident: An argument every fan (or opponent) of free speech must know

1533 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
  1. Free speech is crucial regardless of whether you are wrong, partially wrong, or completely correct.
  2. Dissent and contrary viewpoints are essential for refining beliefs and seeking truth.
  3. Free speech is necessary for challenging assumptions, preventing misinformation, and improving understanding.

Welcome to the Conformity Gauntlet!

1749 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
  1. Higher education pressures promote conformity over truth
  2. Diversity, equity, and inclusion statements serve as political litmus tests
  3. Freedom of thought is increasingly restricted in academia, even for tenured professors
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The New Victorians

1356 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
  1. Cancel Culture is being compared to historic mass censorship events in U.S. history
  2. The American Victorian era is seen as a close parallel to modern Cancel Culture
  3. Similarities are drawn between modern-day 'book banners' and censors of the Victorian era

Killer Mike! John Cleese! Bill Maher! Oh my!

1493 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
  1. In 2023, free speech advocates like Killer Mike made significant impact, signaling challenges for society.
  2. FIRE's College Free Speech Rankings revealed top and bottom performing universities, emphasizing the importance of protecting free speech on campuses.
  3. Greg Lukianoff's interactions with John Cleese and Bill Maher highlighted the importance of open dialogue and defending free speech in various settings.

My ‘Real Time’ with Bill Maher and the ‘new’ campus free speech crisis

1552 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
  1. During the interview with Bill Maher, they discussed the importance of distinguishing between speech that implies something and speech that actually says it.
  2. The conversation highlighted that the campus free speech crisis is not new, and data shows that incidents of censorship on campus have been escalating, especially targeting professors.
  3. The discussion brought to light the ideological shift on free speech between old-school liberals and younger left-leaning individuals, emphasizing the need for reevaluation and awareness of free speech issues.

Join me in signing ‘A Vision for a New Future of the University of Pennsylvania’

1238 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
  1. There are discussions on free speech at universities, with some advocating for more censorship.
  2. A proposed vision for the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes intellectual diversity, civil discourse, and political neutrality.
  3. There is hope for positive change in how elite colleges approach free speech, with some leaders showing willingness to uphold academic freedom.

Mr. Lukianoff goes to Washington & introducing FIRE’s Campus Deplatforming Database

412 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Artificial Intelligence First Amendment Podcast
  1. Greg Lukianoff testified before the House about AI threats to free speech, emphasizing the risks of AI in monitoring, flagging, and censoring individuals.
  2. FIRE introduced Campus Deplatforming Database, aiming to track incidents of censorship on college campuses.
  3. The intersection of law and AI is explored through historical reviews, highlighting the impact of technology on free speech and legal norms.

The Selective Memory of the “New McCarthyism” Crowd

1179 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
  1. Free speech on campus has been in crisis for a long time, not just recently.
  2. People who once denied the existence of Cancel Culture are now facing its consequences, leading to a new awareness.
  3. Selective memory is causing critics to overlook the longstanding issue of Cancel Culture and its impact on free speech.

President Magill: Giving admins even more power over free speech at Penn is a terrible idea

1061 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
  1. Giving administrators more power over free speech at universities can have negative consequences.
  2. Preserving free speech on campus is important to protect minority viewpoints and prevent censorship.
  3. It's essential to resist the urge to increase administrative control over free speech, as it can lead to repression and a double standard in protecting speech.

The state of free expression in China & 'Canceling' in Quillette

511 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
  1. Quillette featured an excerpt on 'Canceling' in the latest issue, discussing how students adjust to campus culture.
  2. A response was made to how free speech has worsened in the last 10 years, challenging a review of 'Canceling' in The New York Review of Books.
  3. Various blog posts by FIRE addressed issues like banning 'furryism' in schools and unconstitutional restrictions on protests.

Meeting John Cleese While Naked

1375 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
  1. The author had a surreal experience of being invited by their lifelong idol, John Cleese, for an interview about their book.
  2. Meeting John Cleese exceeded the author's expectations, and the experience was delightful and memorable.
  3. The interview with John Cleese contains important data on campus cancelations and offers concrete steps toward addressing the issue.

The Inaugural ‘Weekend Free Speech Update’ (1/6/2024)

707 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
  1. The post discusses news and updates related to free speech, including incidents at universities.
  2. There is a section highlighting FIRE's blog on topics like adult-entertainment alter egos and Harvard reform.
  3. The post also features other news, interviews, and a 'Song of the Week' recommendation.

"You have to be consistent"

1081 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
  1. Consistency is key for success.
  2. Personal discomfort can sometimes lead to positive outcomes.
  3. Issues in elite schools may need particular attention.

Is the sudden discovery by campus leaders of political neutrality and freedom of speech for real?

1513 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
  1. Many colleges and universities have recently expressed support for free speech and academic freedom, potentially as a matter of convenience rather than true belief.
  2. In the past, universities have shown inconsistency in upholding principles of free expression, often succumbing to external pressures and censorship.
  3. Despite recent gestures towards promoting freedom of speech and political neutrality, there is a need for universities to demonstrate long-term commitment and consistency in defending these values.

Weekend Free Speech Update

550 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
  1. Reporter fired for moonlighting as a comedian got his job back
  2. Higher education can pressure conformity over truth
  3. FIRE is hosting a Free Speech Leadership Summit for high schoolers

Cancel Culture is happening on a historic scale, Part 2

982 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
  1. History shows that even censorship affecting a small number of people can have significant cultural and societal repercussions.
  2. The Sedition Act of 1798 criminalized certain speech about the president and Congress, creating fear and stifling dissent in the public.
  3. The Sedition Act remains a dark mark in American history, highlighting the danger of compromising free speech principles for short-term gains.

Galileo’s Replacement Speaker

1356 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
  1. Cancel culture can harm societal trust in experts by punishing academic opinions and thought experimentation.
  2. The uptick in cancel culture since 2014 has led to fear, conformity, and low viewpoint diversity in higher education.
  3. Cancel culture affects both sides of the political spectrum, making professors less likely to take risks or engage in candid discussions.

Welcome to The Eternally Radical Idea!

1513 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
  1. Cancel Culture poses a significant threat to free speech and academic freedom on a large scale.
  2. Free speech is a powerful and historically radical idea that promotes progress and innovation.
  3. The choice is between supporting free speech and risking societal decay.

Cancel Culture is happening on a historic scale, Part 1

1159 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
  1. Cancel Culture is occurring on a historic scale, breaking patterns of censorship in American history and happening despite strong legal speech protections.
  2. Campus Cancel Culture in the past decade has shown a significant rise in campaigns to punish professors for protected speech, with over 1,000 campaigns and nearly 200 professors fired.
  3. Compared to responses post-9/11, the recent Hamas attacks have seen fewer instances of campus censorship, although some business leaders are seeking to blacklist students supporting Hamas.

Canceling the anthropology talk doesn’t stop the talk

1257 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
  1. Cancellations of talks often backfire by amplifying and multiplying conversation on the topic, rather than stopping it.
  2. Discussions of difficult and contentious topics should be had intelligently to benefit from diverse perspectives.
  3. Expert insights on high-level topics are valuable, and avoiding these discussions can lead to missed opportunities for learning and understanding.

The perfect gift for someone who assures you Cancel Culture is a hoax

1081 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
  1. Cancel Culture is real and more dangerous than some realize, especially thriving on college campuses.
  2. Oppose censorship even when it affects those you may disagree with, because it can harm innocent people.
  3. Cancel Culture affects a wide range of individuals and is not just about marginalized groups asserting power.

Meet My "Canceling of the American Mind" Co-Author

1179 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
  1. Collaboration between different generations brings fresh perspectives and complementary skills.
  2. Cancel Culture has significant impacts on journalism, leading to challenges for journalists seeking diverse viewpoints.
  3. A personal journey of discovery can lead to a deep appreciation for the importance of free speech.

What universities' responses to 9/11 can tell us about what happens next on campus

923 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
  1. After 9/11, universities faced challenges in defending academic freedom and free speech, leading to a brief improvement in appreciation for these values on campus.
  2. Recent events showing universities' responses to statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict indicate a rediscovery and reaffirmation of academic freedom and freedom of speech.
  3. Institutions may face criticism and pressure when taking political stances, highlighting the importance of maintaining institutional neutrality to avoid censorship and dissenting voices being suppressed.

The Trillion Dollar 'Underdogs'

707 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
  1. The U.S. higher education industry is enormous, valued at over $1 trillion, which is more than industries like food and beverage, electricity, and even some countries' GDPs.
  2. Higher education institutions hold immense wealth and influence, with a collective endowment of $932 billion and tangible assets adding up to about $711 billion.
  3. Despite its power and wealth, higher education often prefers to position itself as 'speaking truth to power' rather than acknowledging and rationalizing its own influence.

Talking Free Speech with Lex Fridman

589 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
  1. The conversation covered topics from Cancel Culture to freedom of speech and even delved into surprising subjects like the Book of Job.
  2. There were mentions of resources like FIRE's College Free Speech Rankings and documentaries such as 'Can We Take a Joke?'
  3. A proposal was made to transform social media platforms into spaces for seeking truth rather than perpetuating Cancel Culture.

Yes, the last 10 years really have been worse for free speech

41 HN points • 24 Jan 24
  1. The last 10 years have seen a decline in free speech, especially on college campuses.
  2. Cancel culture is a recent phenomenon that has significantly impacted speech on campus since 2014.
  3. Efforts to promote free speech on campuses have been made, but significant challenges remain, requiring major reforms.

More big ideas for reforming higher ed

3 HN points • 02 Nov 23
  1. Reforming higher education requires big experiments like de-bureaucratization, eliminating political litmus tests, and fostering free speech and academic freedom.
  2. Donors should support new educational institutions to create competition against elite colleges and push for much-needed reform.
  3. Conduct independent surveys on university performance, hold academic research accountable through outside evaluation, and insist on First Amendment standards across the board to drive major improvements in higher education.