Harvard tell Trump to pound sand

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not JUST about Harvard. He is attacking academic institutions in general, the war just happened to start with Harvard. All fascists attack institutions of free thought and eduction and then replace them with their own version.

Harvard hasn't encouraged free thought in decades.

This kind of vapid, baseless generalization just makes it clear that you had no chance of going to Harvard.

Really? You think they encourage and welcome those with conservative political views to speak and matriculate there?!

Of course they do. Maybe more classic conservatives than Trump 'conservatives' (given that it's a pretty anti-intellectual take).

Someone gave a whole list above of conservatives who went to Harvard (eg, Elise Stefanik). And most graduates -- the males at least -- of HBS are conservative.

DP.

Not quite true. Most Harvard students feel quite uncomfortable expressing contrary political views. Especially true for moderate and conservative students.

“ While 41 percent of liberal students reported feeling comfortable discussing controversial topics, only 25 percent of moderates and 17 percent of conservatives felt similarly.”

Moreover, “ Slightly more than a quarter of the class of 2024 respondents said they only like to engage socially with people who share their political beliefs. Only 29 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.”

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/2/10/survey-results-controversial-opinions/

Now compare this with the general public or a sampling of workplaces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not JUST about Harvard. He is attacking academic institutions in general, the war just happened to start with Harvard. All fascists attack institutions of free thought and eduction and then replace them with their own version.

Harvard hasn't encouraged free thought in decades.

This kind of vapid, baseless generalization just makes it clear that you had no chance of going to Harvard.

Really? You think they encourage and welcome those with conservative political views to speak and matriculate there?!

Of course they do. Maybe more classic conservatives than Trump 'conservatives' (given that it's a pretty anti-intellectual take).

Someone gave a whole list above of conservatives who went to Harvard (eg, Elise Stefanik). And most graduates -- the males at least -- of HBS are conservative.

DP.

Not quite true. Most Harvard students feel quite uncomfortable expressing contrary political views. Especially true for moderate and conservative students.

“ While 41 percent of liberal students reported feeling comfortable discussing controversial topics, only 25 percent of moderates and 17 percent of conservatives felt similarly.”

Moreover, “ Slightly more than a quarter of the class of 2024 respondents said they only like to engage socially with people who share their political beliefs. Only 29 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.”

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/2/10/survey-results-controversial-opinions/

So students at Harvard feel uncomfortable speaking up and saying they support the person and party that would like to basically end Harvard. Gee, who would have imagined that?

I question your assumption that this is a new phenomenon.

This is not Trump's agenda....millions of people voted for this to happen. So no, it is not a new phenomenon. And hate on Harvard all you want. It's a free country.

Does that mean Harvard needs to make you feel at ease going there and hating on them? Why? They probably both attract and encourage admission of students that support their institution, not want to destroy their institution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not indoctrination that educated people being less right politically.

It's *because* they are educated, critically thinking people that they tend left.

Exactly. These right wing nuts are terrified of educated people.

Why the red states are at the bottom with education in this country.

Liberals in government have the USA testing last among developed nations. While spending exponentially more per student.

Only liberals are capable of such failure

I guess you are forgetting all of those red states who rate at the bottom for education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not indoctrination that educated people being less right politically.

It's *because* they are educated, critically thinking people that they tend left.

Harvard required DEI statements from all faculty members.

That isn’t critical thinking, it is textbook indoctrination.

Yes, because there is a civil rights act which these organizations have to adhere to unless or until the Congress repeals the Act.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not JUST about Harvard. He is attacking academic institutions in general, the war just happened to start with Harvard. All fascists attack institutions of free thought and eduction and then replace them with their own version.

Harvard hasn't encouraged free thought in decades.

This kind of vapid, baseless generalization just makes it clear that you had no chance of going to Harvard.

Really? You think they encourage and welcome those with conservative political views to speak and matriculate there?!

Of course they do. Maybe more classic conservatives than Trump 'conservatives' (given that it's a pretty anti-intellectual take).

Someone gave a whole list above of conservatives who went to Harvard (eg, Elise Stefanik). And most graduates -- the males at least -- of HBS are conservative.

DP.

Not quite true. Most Harvard students feel quite uncomfortable expressing contrary political views. Especially true for moderate and conservative students.

“ While 41 percent of liberal students reported feeling comfortable discussing controversial topics, only 25 percent of moderates and 17 percent of conservatives felt similarly.”

Moreover, “ Slightly more than a quarter of the class of 2024 respondents said they only like to engage socially with people who share their political beliefs. Only 29 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.”

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/2/10/survey-results-controversial-opinions/

Now compare this with the general public or a sampling of workplaces.

Would be interesting, but (a) I’m done with homework today, and (b) I’d argue that a universities should be far more welcoming to unpopular opinions than workplaces or social settings.

Look, I think Pinker had it exactly right in his NYT op-ed: there are plenty of legitimate reasons to criticize Harvard and seek reform, none of which justify Trump’s war of annihilation against it.

I think the best approach here is to speak honestly about Harvard’s shortcomings while also opposing Trump’s actions.

I don’t think that minimizing Harvard’s mistakes benefits anyone, especially Harvard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not JUST about Harvard. He is attacking academic institutions in general, the war just happened to start with Harvard. All fascists attack institutions of free thought and eduction and then replace them with their own version.

Harvard hasn't encouraged free thought in decades.

This kind of vapid, baseless generalization just makes it clear that you had no chance of going to Harvard.

Really? You think they encourage and welcome those with conservative political views to speak and matriculate there?!

Of course they do. Maybe more classic conservatives than Trump 'conservatives' (given that it's a pretty anti-intellectual take).

Someone gave a whole list above of conservatives who went to Harvard (eg, Elise Stefanik). And most graduates -- the males at least -- of HBS are conservative.

DP.

Not quite true. Most Harvard students feel quite uncomfortable expressing contrary political views. Especially true for moderate and conservative students.

“ While 41 percent of liberal students reported feeling comfortable discussing controversial topics, only 25 percent of moderates and 17 percent of conservatives felt similarly.”

Moreover, “ Slightly more than a quarter of the class of 2024 respondents said they only like to engage socially with people who share their political beliefs. Only 29 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.”

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/2/10/survey-results-controversial-opinions/

So students at Harvard feel uncomfortable speaking up and saying they support the person and party that would like to basically end Harvard. Gee, who would have imagined that?

I question your assumption that this is a new phenomenon.

This is not Trump's agenda....millions of people voted for this to happen. So no, it is not a new phenomenon. And hate on Harvard all you want. It's a free country.

Does that mean Harvard needs to make you feel at ease going there and hating on them? Why? They probably both attract and encourage admission of students that support their institution, not want to destroy their institution.

You misunderstood both my point and my position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not JUST about Harvard. He is attacking academic institutions in general, the war just happened to start with Harvard. All fascists attack institutions of free thought and eduction and then replace them with their own version.

Harvard hasn't encouraged free thought in decades.

This kind of vapid, baseless generalization just makes it clear that you had no chance of going to Harvard.

Really? You think they encourage and welcome those with conservative political views to speak and matriculate there?!

Of course they do. Maybe more classic conservatives than Trump 'conservatives' (given that it's a pretty anti-intellectual take).

Someone gave a whole list above of conservatives who went to Harvard (eg, Elise Stefanik). And most graduates -- the males at least -- of HBS are conservative.

DP.

Not quite true. Most Harvard students feel quite uncomfortable expressing contrary political views. Especially true for moderate and conservative students.

“ While 41 percent of liberal students reported feeling comfortable discussing controversial topics, only 25 percent of moderates and 17 percent of conservatives felt similarly.”

Moreover, “ Slightly more than a quarter of the class of 2024 respondents said they only like to engage socially with people who share their political beliefs. Only 29 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.”

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/2/10/survey-results-controversial-opinions/

So students at Harvard feel uncomfortable speaking up and saying they support the person and party that would like to basically end Harvard. Gee, who would have imagined that?

I question your assumption that this is a new phenomenon.

This is not Trump's agenda....millions of people voted for this to happen. So no, it is not a new phenomenon. And hate on Harvard all you want. It's a free country.

Does that mean Harvard needs to make you feel at ease going there and hating on them? Why? They probably both attract and encourage admission of students that support their institution, not want to destroy their institution.

You misunderstood both my point and my position.

My bad. Maybe if I had had the opportunity to go to Harvard I would have not made that mistake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not indoctrination that educated people being less right politically.

It's *because* they are educated, critically thinking people that they tend left.

Harvard required DEI statements from all faculty members.

That isn’t critical thinking, it is textbook indoctrination.

Yes, because there is a civil rights act which these organizations have to adhere to unless or until the Congress repeals the Act.

You are equating forced/compelled speech with enforcing the civil rights act?

Jesus Christ. Burn the whole thing down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not indoctrination that educated people being less right politically.

It's *because* they are educated, critically thinking people that they tend left.

Harvard required DEI statements from all faculty members.

That isn’t critical thinking, it is textbook indoctrination.

Yes, because there is a civil rights act which these organizations have to adhere to unless or until the Congress repeals the Act.

You are equating forced/compelled speech with enforcing the civil rights act?

Jesus Christ. Burn the whole thing down.

Yes, let's get away from merit and just go back to white male legacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not JUST about Harvard. He is attacking academic institutions in general, the war just happened to start with Harvard. All fascists attack institutions of free thought and eduction and then replace them with their own version.

Harvard hasn't encouraged free thought in decades.

This kind of vapid, baseless generalization just makes it clear that you had no chance of going to Harvard.

Really? You think they encourage and welcome those with conservative political views to speak and matriculate there?!

Of course they do. Maybe more classic conservatives than Trump 'conservatives' (given that it's a pretty anti-intellectual take).

Someone gave a whole list above of conservatives who went to Harvard (eg, Elise Stefanik). And most graduates -- the males at least -- of HBS are conservative.

DP.

Not quite true. Most Harvard students feel quite uncomfortable expressing contrary political views. Especially true for moderate and conservative students.

“ While 41 percent of liberal students reported feeling comfortable discussing controversial topics, only 25 percent of moderates and 17 percent of conservatives felt similarly.”

Moreover, “ Slightly more than a quarter of the class of 2024 respondents said they only like to engage socially with people who share their political beliefs. Only 29 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.”

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/2/10/survey-results-controversial-opinions/

Now compare this with the general public or a sampling of workplaces.

Would be interesting, but (a) I’m done with homework today, and (b) I’d argue that a universities should be far more welcoming to unpopular opinions than workplaces or social settings.

Look, I think Pinker had it exactly right in his NYT op-ed: there are plenty of legitimate reasons to criticize Harvard and seek reform, none of which justify Trump’s war of annihilation against it.

I think the best approach here is to speak honestly about Harvard’s shortcomings while also opposing Trump’s actions.

I don’t think that minimizing Harvard’s mistakes benefits anyone, especially Harvard.

I agree, and I expect that they are.

My point is that some of the challenge for universities comes to them from society at large, where people have gotten increasingly nasty and intolerant towards people unlike themselves.

The poll of students doesn't necessarily reflect the views or aims of the institution and people handling admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not indoctrination that educated people being less right politically.

It's *because* they are educated, critically thinking people that they tend left.

Harvard required DEI statements from all faculty members.

That isn’t critical thinking, it is textbook indoctrination.

Yes, because there is a civil rights act which these organizations have to adhere to unless or until the Congress repeals the Act.

DEI is a blatant violation of The Civil Rights Act. That’s the point.

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking that Liberty University ought to lose their federal funding. They have very few liberals on campus, and they are overtly Christian in values, which is inherently anti-semitic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not indoctrination that educated people being less right politically.

It's *because* they are educated, critically thinking people that they tend left.

Harvard required DEI statements from all faculty members.

That isn’t critical thinking, it is textbook indoctrination.

Yes, because there is a civil rights act which these organizations have to adhere to unless or until the Congress repeals the Act.

You are equating forced/compelled speech with enforcing the civil rights act?

Jesus Christ. Burn the whole thing down.

If you think being forced to speak is a violation of your rights, a job called PROFESSOR is not for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not JUST about Harvard. He is attacking academic institutions in general, the war just happened to start with Harvard. All fascists attack institutions of free thought and eduction and then replace them with their own version.

Harvard hasn't encouraged free thought in decades.

This kind of vapid, baseless generalization just makes it clear that you had no chance of going to Harvard.

Really? You think they encourage and welcome those with conservative political views to speak and matriculate there?!

Of course they do. Maybe more classic conservatives than Trump 'conservatives' (given that it's a pretty anti-intellectual take).

Someone gave a whole list above of conservatives who went to Harvard (eg, Elise Stefanik). And most graduates -- the males at least -- of HBS are conservative.

DP.

Not quite true. Most Harvard students feel quite uncomfortable expressing contrary political views. Especially true for moderate and conservative students.

“ While 41 percent of liberal students reported feeling comfortable discussing controversial topics, only 25 percent of moderates and 17 percent of conservatives felt similarly.”

Moreover, “ Slightly more than a quarter of the class of 2024 respondents said they only like to engage socially with people who share their political beliefs. Only 29 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.”

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/2/10/survey-results-controversial-opinions/

So students at Harvard feel uncomfortable speaking up and saying they support the person and party that would like to basically end Harvard. Gee, who would have imagined that?

I question your assumption that this is a new phenomenon.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not JUST about Harvard. He is attacking academic institutions in general, the war just happened to start with Harvard. All fascists attack institutions of free thought and eduction and then replace them with their own version.

Harvard hasn't encouraged free thought in decades.

This kind of vapid, baseless generalization just makes it clear that you had no chance of going to Harvard.

Really? You think they encourage and welcome those with conservative political views to speak and matriculate there?!

Of course they do. Maybe more classic conservatives than Trump 'conservatives' (given that it's a pretty anti-intellectual take).

Someone gave a whole list above of conservatives who went to Harvard (eg, Elise Stefanik). And most graduates -- the males at least -- of HBS are conservative.

DP.

Not quite true. Most Harvard students feel quite uncomfortable expressing contrary political views. Especially true for moderate and conservative students.

“ While 41 percent of liberal students reported feeling comfortable discussing controversial topics, only 25 percent of moderates and 17 percent of conservatives felt similarly.”

Moreover, “ Slightly more than a quarter of the class of 2024 respondents said they only like to engage socially with people who share their political beliefs. Only 29 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed with that statement.”

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/2/10/survey-results-controversial-opinions/

Now compare this with the general public or a sampling of workplaces.

Would be interesting, but (a) I’m done with homework today, and (b) I’d argue that a universities should be far more welcoming to unpopular opinions than workplaces or social settings.

Look, I think Pinker had it exactly right in his NYT op-ed: there are plenty of legitimate reasons to criticize Harvard and seek reform, none of which justify Trump’s war of annihilation against it.

I think the best approach here is to speak honestly about Harvard’s shortcomings while also opposing Trump’s actions.

I don’t think that minimizing Harvard’s mistakes benefits anyone, especially Harvard.

NP here. I don't think it benefits anyone to put Harvard's problems on equal footing with Trump's attempt to dismantle one of the most respected institutions of higher education. And Pinker's op-ed was not aimed at criticizing Harvard. By contrast, he was saying that whatever truth there might be to criticisms of Harvard, they are relatively minor in impact...as evidenced by the fact that he is still a professor in good standing there.

Trump is taking a page straight out of the fascist handbook, and we're arguing about hiring practices?