How Far Can Free Expression Go in Education?

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The discussion centers around a controversial performance by a Columbia University professor who stripped while showing a 9/11 tape during a physics class, sparking debates about the limits of artistic expression in education. Participants reflect on their own experiences with unconventional teaching methods, including an anecdote about an art instructor at Sonoma State University who was fired for allowing students to create "butt prints." The conversation questions how far is too far in educational settings, with some expressing disbelief at the professor's methods and others finding humor in the situation. The effectiveness of such performances in teaching complex subjects like quantum mechanics is also debated, with many participants suggesting that a more traditional approach would be preferable. Overall, the thread highlights the tension between creativity and educational standards in academia.
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:
 
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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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