Heterodox STEM

Heterodox STEM scrutinizes the impact of ideological trends in academia, focusing on free speech, due process, and the challenges against merit-based systems. It highlights the influence of postmodernism, 'wokism', and DEI initiatives on educational standards, advocating for open debate and intellectual diversity in STEM fields.

Academic Freedom Ideological Trends in Education Merit and Diversity in Academia Free Speech on Campus Intellectual Diversity Critique of Postmodernism and Wokism

The hottest Substack posts of Heterodox STEM

And their main takeaways

Harvard's double standard for Gay

1579 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandal Plagiarism Academic standards Freedom of Speech
  1. Harvard's president was accused of plagiarism but faced no consequences, leading to concerns about double standards.
  2. Students at Harvard face severe punishments for plagiarism, while the university seems to handle allegations against its president differently.
  3. The president's controversies have raised questions about the institution's values and reputation, affecting its students and donors.

Imago DEI at Cornell University

199 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🚌 Education Free speech Critical Thinking
  1. The theme year for Freedom of Expression at Cornell University is controversial, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
  2. There is a concern about the prioritization of DEI over free speech, leading to a culture of fear and conformity on campus.
  3. Efforts are being made to bring in speakers who promote fearless, rational, and civil speech on campus, to counteract the perceived lack of free expression.

Introspection Before Any Possible Course Correction

291 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Freedom of Speech Public Trust
  1. Listening to the Congressional testimony on free speech exposed a lack of consistent application of concepts at universities.
  2. Public trust in higher education has significantly declined based on surveys due to real or perceived failures of universities.
  3. Universities facing public backlash have responded defensively rather than engaging in introspection, potentially leading to further erosion of trust.

Two perspectives on the liberal arts and the humanities

199 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🚌 Education Humanities Literature Philosophy Classics
  1. Liberal arts education in the US may serve different purposes for elites and non-elites, with disparities in expectations and outcomes.
  2. Humanities education is seen as vital for a well-rounded education and understanding fundamental human questions and experiences.
  3. Reading classic literature may play a role in shaping perspectives and values, potentially reducing susceptibility to certain societal trends like 'wokeness'.

How STEM is Sleepwalking into Wokery

270 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🚌 Education STEM Academia Science Identity politics
  1. STEM education is facing challenges with the introduction of ideologies like 'Indigenous science', leading to a shift in traditional approaches.
  2. University environments are becoming increasingly focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion, which can sometimes lead to conflict with academic freedom and rational discourse.
  3. There is a concern among some STEM professors about the impact of ideological pressures on teaching quality, mental health, and innovation within academic environments.
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Does STEM Have Any Value?

177 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🔬 Science Research and Development
  1. STEM significantly contributes to human progress by improving health, wealth, and technology.
  2. STEM fields require dedication and constant learning to stay relevant due to rapid advancements.
  3. Criticism of STEM often comes from misunderstandings and jealousy from other disciplines such as the humanities.

Grievance Training

370 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy History Education
  1. Grievance training in American schools is presenting a one-sided and divisive narrative about land appropriation and cultural genocide.
  2. Teachers are asserting that U.S. lands were stolen from Native Americans, pushing for reparations or land return without room for questioning.
  3. The article argues against collective guilt narratives, emphasizing the importance of individual accountability and due process.

Leaving the AMS

362 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policies Organizations Social Issues
  1. DEI statements as a required component for job applications can have a corrosive effect on the math community.
  2. Compelled speech in DEI statements may lead to a population of conformists in math departments.
  3. The AMS's lack of investigation into compelled DEI statements raises concerns about the impact on the math community.

Between Research and Responsibility: The Invention of Dynamite

99 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💾 History Ethics Inventors Inventions Legacy
  1. The story of Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize is more complex than the myth of him changing his will due to a scathing obituary; it likely stemmed from his interactions with peace advocates and his own beliefs in using weapons for peace.
  2. The development of dynamite involved notable predecessors before Nobel, including Braconnot, Pelouze, and Sobrero, each contributing to the understanding and application of explosive materials.
  3. Alfred Nobel's creation of dynamite revolutionized industries like transportation and mining, but also had negative impacts in warfare, raising ethical questions about scientists' responsibility in discovering dangerous technology.

The radical left has lost its moral compass

384 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Social Issues Ethics Cultural critique
  1. Postmodernism and nihilism have influenced academic institutions, leading to moral relativism and a shift away from open inquiry and tolerance.
  2. The push for 'anti-racism' has sometimes resulted in discriminatory practices, undermining merit-based systems and educational opportunities.
  3. A call to challenge and openly debate harmful ideologies that have infiltrated academic institutions and to reaffirm the importance of objective truth and moral clarity.

Science, Interrupted.

78 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🔬 Science History Persecution
  1. The Lost Scientists of World War II by Sir David Clary recounts stories of scholars from various fields who faced tragedy and miraculous survival during the war.
  2. The stories include Jewish scholars and exceptions like physicist Alfred Lustig, highlighting the fragility of individual fates and the difficulties faced by scholars at risk.
  3. Organizing help for scientists facing war and persecution is crucial, as seen in initiatives like RASA's mentorship program for displaced scientists.

When Academia Becomes a Bad Sitcom

227 implied HN points • 13 Aug 23
🚌 Education
  1. The academia emergency meeting highlighted issues around personal relationships between staff and students.
  2. The meeting led to emotional responses and demands for trainings and policies to address power dynamics.
  3. The situation exemplifies how university bureaucracy can magnify personal issues into campus-wide dramas.

How to Take Back Academia

277 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🚌 Education Diversity Academia Political Change Leadership
  1. It's important to understand and challenge wokism in academia.
  2. Efforts should focus on promoting knowledge of race differences, changing the decision makers on campus, and leveraging political power.
  3. Taking radical action, implementing specific strategies, and not giving up are crucial to reclaim universities from wokism.

On the communist origins of diversity, equality, and inclusion ideology

220 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
💾 History Communism Totalitarianism Ideology Academia Antisemitism
  1. The communist origins of diversity, equality, and inclusion ideology can be traced back to Lenin and Soviet history.
  2. Lenin promoted reducing high salaries and creating ideological control in Soviet Union which has parallels to current movements in academia.
  3. There are alarming similarities between the practices of diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives in academia and the ideological control in the Soviet Union, leading to the censorship of ideas and persecution of dissent.