Interesting Substack post from Robert Reich: "The Monetization of Rage"

[neurosis]

keep people dumb enough to vote for us, stake the claim on religious righteousness and patriotism

Is that how stuff like this happens? 

Oklahoma university instructor on leave after failing Bible-based essay on gender

https://apnews.com/article/university-oklahoma-gender-bible-essay-demonic-0fd51985c123737cd372ba609b730541

An instructor at the University of Oklahoma has been placed on leave after a student complained that she received a failing grade on a paper that cited the Bible to assert that the "belief in multiple genders" was "demonic."

For more context.

The assignment was for a psychology class about lifespan development. Students were asked to write a 650-word response to an academic study that examined whether conformity with gender norms was associated with popularity or bullying among middle school students.

""Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs," the instructor wrote in feedback obtained by The Oklahoman. Instead, the instructor said the paper did "not answer the questions for the assignment."

The paper "contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive" the criticism went on. "

[beej]

Is that how stuff like this happens? 

Oklahoma university instructor on leave after failing Bible-based essay on gender

https://apnews.com/article/university-oklahoma-gender-bible-essay-demonic-0fd51985c123737cd372ba609b730541

For more context.

""Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs," the instructor wrote in feedback obtained by The Oklahoman. Instead, the instructor said the paper did "not answer the questions for the assignment."

The paper "contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive" the criticism went on. "

I have no problem with her getting a 0/25 grade. her essay is poorly written. You can read it here:
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2025/12/01/samantha-fulnecky-ou-oklahoma-essay-transgender-bible-what-we-know/87556408007/

my problem would be with the fact that he at the same time criticizes her paper saying that "she used personal ideology over empirical evidence in a science class"

and at the same time criticizes her for "lacking empathy" and "being offensive."  I didn't know empathy and political correctness were requirements of science.

[neurosis]

I have no problem with her getting a 0/25 grade. her essay is poorly written. You can read it here:

And I have no problem with her giving her opinions based on her religious beliefs, but as stated, she didn't follow the assignment (per the article). "did not provide empirical evidence to back her claims using a proven psychological scientific methodology". Her essay had nothing to do with what the assignment was supposed to be about, but rather opinions based on religious ideology, gender, and the article she did the essay on.

And yes, it was poorly written.  It looked as bad as something I would write, and I've never been to college.

[beej]

And I have no problem with her giving her opinions based on her religious beliefs, but as stated, she didn't follow the assignment (per the article). "did not provide empirical evidence to back her claims using a proven psychological scientific methodology". Her essay had nothing to do with what the assignment was supposed to be about, but rather opinions based on religious ideology, gender, and the article she did the essay on.

And yes, it was poorly written.  It looked as bad as something I would write, and I've never been to college.

yes but why list the reasons for a poor grade in a science class as lacking empathy or being offensive? it makes me think that he also was not looking for science.

[neurosis]

yes but why list the reasons for a poor grade in a science class as lacking empathy or being offensive? it makes me think that he also was not looking for science.

Yea, I guess I don't know what the teacher means by that exactly. I didn't think her essay was offensive. I could make an argument for lacking empathy, but who cares. If she cited facts based on "scientific methodology" and it hurt someone's feelings, would that be lacking empathy? 

[beej]

Yea, I guess I don't know what the teacher means by that exactly. I didn't think her essay was offensive. I could make an argument for lacking empathy, but who cares. If she cited facts based on "scientific methodology" and it hurt someone's feelings, would that be lacking empathy? 

the story would be more interesting if we could read the papers that did well in his class.

[Rstewart]

I usually have a great day - I have no social media and I don't watch much news, that's for the Olds

Some of the goobers here get me fired up, I should do better

[neurosis]

I usually have a great day - I have no social media and I don't watch much news, that's for the Olds

Some of the goobers here get me fired up, I should do better

Happy B-day!

[neurosis]

the story would be more interesting if we could read the papers that did well in his class.

I would be curious to see how the same teacher had reacted to a muslim that had written the same type of essay, all opinion based on religious beliefs. Then I would also like to see if the teacher had the same reaction to a muslim, if they would have been put on leave.

[Rstewart]

Happy B-day!

Going to see Tom Segura in a couple hours, currently eating sushi and having a martini

Toast!

[Bucky Cornstarch]

I would be curious to see how the same teacher had reacted to a muslim that had written the same type of essay, all opinion based on religious beliefs. Then I would also like to see if the teacher had the same reaction to a muslim, if they would have been put on leave.

Imagine taking a philosophy class and being assigned to read and discuss the he book of Genesis. Then, imagine evaluating said work the same as you did every other other work thus far, and pointing out it's many discrepancies and fallacies.

Flash forward to when you get your grade on said paper and find that not only did you not do as well as you'd hoped, but that your professor was a major bible thumper.

One of the many things that college taught me was that People Actually Believe That Shit.

[beej]

Imagine taking a philosophy class and being assigned to read and discuss the he book of Genesis. Then, imagine evaluating said work the same as you did every other other work thus far, and pointing out it's many discrepancies and fallacies.

Flash forward to when you get your grade on said paper and find that not only did you not do as well as you'd hoped, but that your professor was a major bible thumper.

One of the many things that college taught me was that People Actually Believe That Shit.

As a christian, I have enjoyed listening to the likes of Christopher Hitchens, Alex O'connor, and Bart Ehrman. So I guess listening to opposing view points with an open mind is not new to me. you should try it.

[mowens]

One of the many things that college taught me was that People Actually Believe That Shit.

Which version of "that shit" are you talking about? Are you talking about the fire and brimstone kind where the preacher screams so much during the sermon that he loses his voice? Where they have strict behavior beliefs?

Are you talking about the kind who follow Jesus's teachings about taking care of the poor and always doing good?

How about the kind where an individual has personal experiences where their faith in God got them through?

What about someone who has had experiences that would sound like bad scripted reality tv if it wasn't true?

Or do you lump them all together?

On the one hand, it would be nice to be so sure and confident about things like religion. On the other, it would be somewhat of a curse to be so close minded about the universe.

[Jeff]

One of the many things that college taught me was that People Actually Believe That Shit.

College also teaches people that there are more than 2 genders and crossdressing men are women.
People actually believe that shit.