Symbolic Capital(ism)

Symbolic Capital(ism) examines the interplay between social justice discourse, inequality, and the influence of symbolic professions. It critiques elite control of symbolic capital, explores knowledge economy impacts, and analyzes socio-political dynamics in academia, politics, and public discourse on various contemporary issues.

Social Justice Discourse Inequality Symbolic Professions Knowledge Economy Political Dynamics Academia Public Discourse

The hottest Substack posts of Symbolic Capital(ism)

And their main takeaways

How Universities Influence Local and Regional Politics

0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Influence Local Politics Regional politics Higher education
  1. Universities have a significant impact on the local and regional politics of the communities they are located in.
  2. Elite universities not only influence local politics but also shape national conversations, policies, and even political leadership.
  3. Universities are not just influenced by the broader societal forces, but they also actively contribute to shaping the political landscape of their communities, creating a mutual and dynamic relationship.

100 Years of Viewpoint Diversity Activism

0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideological diversity Higher education
  1. Many organizations have worked on addressing the lack of ideological diversity over the years, including Heterodox Academy.
  2. Research on how positionality and homogeneity impact knowledge production dates back over a century, but has not had significant institutional impact.
  3. Heterodox Academy stands out by focusing on improving research and teaching through viewpoint diversity, conducting original research, and promoting grassroots reform in academia.

Towards a Holistic Approach to Positionality and Homogeneity in Science

0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 20
  1. Various commitments, like ideology and identity, significantly shape knowledge production, influencing what is studied and how findings are interpreted.
  2. Institutional homogeneity can lead to biased reasoning and prejudices, necessitating a call for diverse perspectives in academia.
  3. Acknowledging and incorporating both ideological and identity commitments is crucial for improving the quality and impact of research and teaching.

Book Review: Refashioning Futures

0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 19
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Diversity Engagement
  1. Critique in modern democracies focuses on attacking opponents' social status and motives, revealing unconscious biases, but has now become a common tool for all groups.
  2. Academic critique has been criticized for losing steam and being turned into a weapon to debunk opposing views, leading to an era of post-truth.
  3. Critique needs to evolve from pure criticism to constructing alternatives, engaging with diversity of viewpoints, and understanding questions within their context for better strategic outcomes.

Universities Have Contributed to America's Civic Crises. They Could Also Help Ameliorate Them.

0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 19
  1. Teach students to move beyond criticism and prioritize civic education and engagement to help address America's civic crises
  2. Encourage universities to build students' affirmative capacities alongside their critical capacities for effective social change
  3. Educate all students about biases, cognitive distortions, and strategies to mitigate them for improved thinking and constructive engagement
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Ideological and Demographic Diversity Are Best Pursued in Tandem

0 implied HN points • 29 Apr 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Demographics Ideology Diversity Education
  1. Pursuing ideological and demographic diversity together is important. People from various backgrounds offer different perspectives.
  2. Party affiliation doesn't always align with ideological leanings. Understanding the differences can help bridge cultural gaps.
  3. Ignoring ideological diversity in educational settings can exclude historically marginalized groups. True diversity includes perspectives beyond race and ethnicity.

Towards an Ascetic Antiracism

0 implied HN points • 08 Nov 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Inequality
  1. Meaningful action in antiracism is more important than just feeling or believing the 'right' things.
  2. Systemic racism is upheld not just by individual beliefs, but by behavioral patterns and unjust resource allocations.
  3. Performative antiracism can sometimes serve as a social currency for elites, creating divisions and reinforcing racist narratives.

The Media Really Is Obsessed With Trump

0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Coverage Election insights Media influence
  1. The media has an extreme obsession with covering Trump, leading to significantly more coverage than any other president in modern U.S. history.
  2. Television news outlets, including cable news, also spend a disproportionate amount of time covering Trump, with him receiving about double the airtime compared to other prominent figures.
  3. Media's obsession with Trump has led to record ratings and increased revenue, but has also resulted in potentially harmful consequences such as eroding trust in journalism and neglecting coverage of other critical events.

Some Awkward Truths About the "Big Lie"

0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 22
  1. Polls and surveys should be approached with caution, as respondents may deliberately provide misleading or false information.
  2. Public polarization on factual matters often stems from politicization, and incentives can influence respondents to answer more accurately.
  3. Despite concerns over political violence, behaviors often do not align with attitudinal data, and the appetite for political violence in the US appears to be low.

Longitudinal Trends: Ideological Diversity In Universities v. Surrounding Communities

0 implied HN points • 04 Feb 19
🚌 Education Ideological diversity Universities Communities Faculty Politics
  1. Universities are becoming more ideologically homogenous, mirroring the political leanings of the communities they are embedded in.
  2. There is a longitudinal correlation between the political leanings of faculty at universities and their surrounding communities.
  3. Addressing the ideological imbalance in academia may require extending access and opportunity to a broader swath of the population, outside of just influencing attitudes within academic circles.

How the Clintons Revolutionized U.S. Politics... Twice

0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
  1. Bill and Hillary Clinton transformed the Democratic Party and U.S. politics twice, setting the stage for contemporary American politics.
  2. The Clintons rebranded the Democratic Party in the 1990s, shifting its focus to symbolic capitalists and aligning with the knowledge economy.
  3. Despite controversies, the Clintons' influence on the Democratic Party led to significant electoral shifts, especially among post-graduate and college-educated voters.

Book Review: The WEIRDest People in the World

0 implied HN points • 29 Nov 20
  1. The book 'The WEIRDest People in the World' explores how the traditional family structure, shaped by the Western Church's Marriage and Family Program, has had a profound impact on Western Civilization.
  2. The evolution of societal norms around sex, marriage, and family structure has led to significant differences between Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic (WEIRD) countries and the rest of the world.
  3. The acceptance of gay marriage and transgenderism within WEIRD cultures can be seen as adaptations that actually reinforce the traditional family model, rather than threatening it.

Why Reflexivity Is Important for Both Research and Activism

0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 20
  1. Reflexivity is essential in understanding society. It allows us to see beyond ourselves and comprehend societal dynamics more accurately.
  2. Socio-cultural positioning influences behavior. People in certain social groups may exhibit typical behaviors, like relying on authorities in conflicts or resorting to direct confrontation.
  3. Analytical egalitarianism urges treating all involved equally. It emphasizes understanding everyone's role, including analysts themselves, in shaping and maintaining societal structures.