This article is wonderful and reminded me of when I was a grad student in Astronomy. It was trendy for certain academic circles to "Take Science Down a Notch" pointing out flaws, etc. Once, a prof overheard us talking about this and said something powerful:
Science is done by humans and is influenced by human nature. However, when y…
This article is wonderful and reminded me of when I was a grad student in Astronomy. It was trendy for certain academic circles to "Take Science Down a Notch" pointing out flaws, etc. Once, a prof overheard us talking about this and said something powerful:
Science is done by humans and is influenced by human nature. However, when you compare the scientific endeavor with other human endeavors, it is far from the worst thing humans have done and, in fact, it looks pretty special in comparison.
I apply that to the United States of America - it was founded and run by humans and is influenced by human nature. However, when you compare the USA against other nations, it is far from the worst country humans have founded and it looks pretty special in comparison.
Too many in Academia today compare America against some ideal that has never existed and seemingly delight in finding ways it comes up short. They never judge America in the context of a nation of flawed humans trying to do the best they can. They hold America to a standard that no group (including Academia itself) could ever live up to.
When I meet these folks I challenge them: "If America is that bad, there must be dozens of nations that are more socially equitable - nations we can emulate. Can you list ten of them?"
Too many in academia compare America to an unattainable ideal and delight in finding flaws. They set a standard for America that no group (including academia) can meet. The USA isn't the worst nation ever founded.
This article is wonderful and reminded me of when I was a grad student in Astronomy. It was trendy for certain academic circles to "Take Science Down a Notch" pointing out flaws, etc. Once, a prof overheard us talking about this and said something powerful:
Science is done by humans and is influenced by human nature. However, when you compare the scientific endeavor with other human endeavors, it is far from the worst thing humans have done and, in fact, it looks pretty special in comparison.
I apply that to the United States of America - it was founded and run by humans and is influenced by human nature. However, when you compare the USA against other nations, it is far from the worst country humans have founded and it looks pretty special in comparison.
Too many in Academia today compare America against some ideal that has never existed and seemingly delight in finding ways it comes up short. They never judge America in the context of a nation of flawed humans trying to do the best they can. They hold America to a standard that no group (including Academia itself) could ever live up to.
When I meet these folks I challenge them: "If America is that bad, there must be dozens of nations that are more socially equitable - nations we can emulate. Can you list ten of them?"
Too many in academia compare America to an unattainable ideal and delight in finding flaws. They set a standard for America that no group (including academia) can meet. The USA isn't the worst nation ever founded.