How Far Can Free Expression Go in Education?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the limits of free expression in educational settings, particularly in the context of unconventional teaching methods and controversial presentations. Participants share anecdotes and reactions to a specific incident involving a professor's provocative approach to teaching quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants recount an anecdote about an art instructor at Sonoma State University who was fired for having students create "butt prints," raising questions about the boundaries of artistic expression in education.
  • A participant references a professor who uses a provocative method involving stripping to teach quantum mechanics, suggesting that such approaches may not be effective for serious learning.
  • Others express skepticism about the effectiveness of the professor's teaching style, with one participant describing it as potentially embarrassing and lacking substance.
  • Several participants share links to videos related to the discussed teaching methods, indicating mixed reactions to their content and presentation.
  • There are humorous remarks about the absurdity of the situation, with some participants making light of the unconventional teaching methods.
  • One participant notes that the incident has gained significant attention online, with varying opinions on the professor's edginess and teaching effectiveness.
  • Another participant humorously speculates about the portrayal of similar situations in popular media, such as "The Big Bang Theory."

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the appropriateness and effectiveness of unconventional teaching methods, with no clear consensus on where the limits of free expression in education should lie. Some find the methods entertaining, while others criticize them as lacking educational value.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific incidents and teaching styles without providing detailed evaluations of their educational impact, leaving the discussion open to interpretation and further exploration.

DiracPool
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I knew there was a reason I wanted to be a physics Prof...

http://news.yahoo.com/columbia-prof-strips-shows-9-11-tape-during-021232869.html

I got my undergraduate degree from Sonoma State University (SSU) in California back in the 90's. SSU was popularly known as "Granola U" in the California State University system for its liberal hippiesh ideals, just on par with Humboldt university not too far away.

I remember this one anecdote where an art instructor was fired for having his students produce "butt prints" in class, whereby they dropped their pants, sat in paint, and then "printed" their art on construction paper laid out on the floor. This was a big deal because the Granola U'ers thought this was protected as freedom of expression in the educational system.

But how far is too far. Thoughts?
 
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Two feet past the edge of a cliff is too farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr splat!
 
MathAmateur said:
Two feet past the edge of a cliff is too farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr splat!

If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room!
 
DiracPool said:
I knew there was a reason I wanted to be a physics Prof...

http://news.yahoo.com/columbia-prof-strips-shows-9-11-tape-during-021232869.html

I got my undergraduate degree from Sonoma State University (SSU) in California back in the 90's. SSU was popularly known as "Granola U" in the California State University system for its liberal hippiesh ideals, just on par with Humboldt university not too far away.

I remember this one anecdote where an art instructor was fired for having his students produce "butt prints" in class, whereby they dropped their pants, sat in paint, and then "printed" their art on construction paper laid out on the floor. This was a big deal because the Granola U'ers thought this was protected as freedom of expression in the educational system.

But how far is too far. Thoughts?
It's amazing to see how easily you guys are entertained...
 
zoobyshoe said:
It's amazing to see how easily you guys are entertained...

LOL. Touche..
 
From the article: http://news.yahoo.com/columbia-prof-...021232869.html

"In order to learn quantum mechanics, you have to strip to your raw, erase all the garbage from your brain and start over again," Hughes said.

I wouldn't recommend hiring this guy as a private tutor for your daughter's college physics course...:eek:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zdjfRQRHeE


Here is the video, interesting approach but not sure about the effectiveness at actually doing anything besides inducing embarrassment.
 
Jarwulf said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zdjfRQRHeE


Here is the video, interesting approach but not sure about the effectiveness at actually doing anything besides inducing embarrassment.

Great find Jarwulf. I can't believe I just watched the stupidest thing I've ever seen. After all that falderall, he comes out talking like a woose. What was the point of all that? And did I hear him say the entire treatment of QM was going to be in that one hour class? Bizzarro..

The most pathetic thing of all is I think he borrowed his "mojo" performance from that scene in Oliver Stone's "The Doors" where Jim showed his amateur work in film class, Nazi's included. At the end of that showing, Jim said, "I quit." I wonder if at the end of Hughes, performance, they say, "you're fired."
 
Wow.
 
  • #10
That stripping professor guy is all over the internet this week! There is a news aggregate website I frequently read and the comments are "that guy is so edgy, what a great professor", but I would hate to be in that class. Less stupid presentation, more physics please.
 
  • #11
Soon, something like this will appear on The Big Bang Theory.

Zz.
 
  • #12
ZapperZ said:
Soon, something like this will appear on The Big Bang Theory.

Zz.
It already has in some form my good man :smile: although I don't know how much homotopy and homology theory freshman at Columbia know ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiSGsHT1vLo
 
  • #13
WannabeNewton said:
It already has in some form my good man :smile:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiSGsHT1vLo

I was just about to post that. Curse you WBN!


/Leibniz Rules!
 
  • #14
QuarkCharmer said:
/Leibniz Rules!
Oh heck no you di - int. Be jealous of my superior youtubing abilities mortal!
 
  • #15
"Quantum Mechanics, Explained by Interpretive Dance". Hmm.

What's next, "Maritime Law, in Haiku"?
 

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