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

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.

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.

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.

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.