# Is Evergreen State College the canary in the coal mine, foretelling the death of higher education? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 2, 2017, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914 "2017-06-02T05:53:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/121 "2017-06-07T18:31:16Z")
[Here’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doUn0WY33YU&t=1s) the faculty turning on each other. Gosh, I have no idea where these students get their crazy notions of respect and tolerance from Disclaimer: I’m using the video version with rightist social commentary and satire because it’s got captioning. The raw version video, you can’t understand what she’s saying. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/122 "2017-06-07T19:02:03Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Do you hope that the media starts covering this in a nuanced, reasonable way, or are you happy for the rightwing media to continue to be as unreasonable and unfair and fundamentally dishonest as the worst of those students are being? The information that I’ve gleaned about Evergreen has come from many videos showing the behavior of the worst of these students, and showing Bridges pathetic pandering demeanor and humiliation in meeting with them; from Bret Weinstein’s interviews (Weinstein himself is clearly a progressive liberal); and from public statements from officials and various groups including academics at the college. The only part the rightwing media has played in this is in hosting videos; and many of the videos are extended continuous takes, not potentially misleading snippets. Unless the videos are fake, the rightwing media have played no part in influencing my own views on events here. For sure, I will be happy if the regular media give more coverage to the wider behavior of the looney-tunes parts of the radical academic left and its influence on students. More important, I hope that the remaining sane and civilized majority on the liberal left stop ignoring and minimizing what a travesty a _significant_ part (not a tiny minority) of the academic left has become. Identity politics taken to preposterous extremes, “safe spaces” as an excuse to silence anyone they don’t agree with, “de-platforming”, mob intimidation of even other progressive liberals whose views aren’t aligned with the dogmatic progressive party line. It’s an embarrassment when the only people speaking out for what I thought were traditional fundamental liberal values are right-wing trolls. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/123 "2017-06-07T19:40:44Z")
“De-platforming” is a new one on me. Is that the same as the heckler’s veto? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/124 "2017-06-07T20:49:42Z")
As I’ve seen others note in other comments section…capitalism will sort it out, assuming they arn’t defunded. Their incoming freshman class will take a hit like Missouri has. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/125 "2017-06-07T21:36:06Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > “De-platforming” is a new one on me. Is that the same as the heckler’s veto? > > Regards, > Shodan Aka “no platform”. > **[No platform](https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/No_platform)** > > No platform is the practice of preventing someone — either through policy or through protest — from spreading their ideas through a particular event or website. The term generally applies to rescinding an invitation to someone asked to speak at an... ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/126 "2017-06-07T21:42:27Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Blackguard, you have altered my quote! Please advise what hour of the morning would be convenient for my footman to deliver your thrashing. > > Your Humble, etc. > **elucidator,** Duke of URL 😕 Huh. Sorry about that. No idea how it happened. No need for your footman; I’ve been thrashing myself all day as it is (mostly Slayer but some Municipal Waste and Exodus too). ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/127 "2017-06-07T22:01:23Z")
Piffle. I’m a Dad, I have no dignity left to preserve. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/128 "2017-06-07T22:08:11Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The information that I’ve gleaned about Evergreen has come from many videos showing the behavior of the worst of these students, and showing Bridges pathetic pandering demeanor and humiliation in meeting with them; from Bret Weinstein’s interviews (Weinstein himself is clearly a progressive liberal); and from public statements from officials and various groups including academics at the college. The only part the rightwing media has played in this is in hosting videos; and many of the videos are extended continuous takes, not potentially misleading snippets. Unless the videos are fake, the rightwing media have played no part in influencing my own views on events here. > > For sure, I will be happy if the regular media give more coverage to the wider behavior of the looney-tunes parts of the radical academic left and its influence on students. More important, I hope that the remaining sane and civilized majority on the liberal left stop ignoring and minimizing what a travesty a _significant_ part (not a tiny minority) of the academic left has become. Identity politics taken to preposterous extremes, “safe spaces” as an excuse to silence anyone they don’t agree with, “de-platforming”, mob intimidation of even other progressive liberals whose views aren’t aligned with the dogmatic progressive party line. It’s an embarrassment when the only people speaking out for what I thought were traditional fundamental liberal values are right-wing trolls. Yeah that’s the tactic now. Label advocating free speech as racists, trolls, and other disingenuous terms. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/129 "2017-06-07T22:13:30Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Yeah that’s the tactic now. Label advocating free speech as racists, trolls, and other disingenuous terms. Patriot Act? Free speech zones? Right to work laws? Defense of Marriage Act? Internet Freedom Act? Yeah, it’s the tactic _now_. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2017, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/130 "2017-06-07T22:20:58Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Patriot Act? > Free speech zones? > Right to work laws? > Defense of Marriage Act? > Internet Freedom Act? > > Yeah, it’s the tactic _now_. :rolleyes: What does right to work and marriage have anything to do with free speech? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/131 "2017-06-08T00:10:04Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > The information that I’ve gleaned about Evergreen has come from many videos showing the behavior of the worst of these students, and showing Bridges pathetic pandering demeanor and humiliation in meeting with them; from Bret Weinstein’s interviews (Weinstein himself is clearly a progressive liberal); and from public statements from officials and various groups including academics at the college. The only part the rightwing media has played in this is in hosting videos; and many of the videos are extended continuous takes, not potentially misleading snippets. Unless the videos are fake, the rightwing media have played no part in influencing my own views on events here. Please don’t think I was responding to you. If you’re treating this fairly–which as near as I can tell means recognizing that the vast majority of Evergreen students weren’t involved in this, and that nobody was forced to leave campus, and that there’s very little evidence anyone was pressured to leave campus–then I’m not talking to you when I talk about the need to recognize nuance. If you’re not one of the people calling for defunding this school, then I’m not addressing you in this case. If you think there hasn’t been stupid and deceptive rightwing media coverage of this, however, please let me know, so I can point you to the relevant links. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/132 "2017-06-08T00:32:49Z")
Incidentally, [Neo-Nazis are posting flyers around campus trying to recruit white people for the upcoming race war](http://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/06/07/25198365/neo-nazi-group-posts-flyers-at-evergreen-state-college-after-student-demonstrations). Between that, and the threats of mass murder on campus, definitely what we should be concerned about is a bunch of teenagers acting like assholes, and the pomo profs who won’t punish them. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/133 "2017-06-08T01:20:58Z")
FTLOG, what is ‘‘po-mo’’? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/134 "2017-06-08T01:24:36Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > FTLOG, what is ‘‘po-mo’’? Post-modern. When I was in college we called them post-toasties, but that never took off. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/135 "2017-06-08T01:35:37Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Post-modern. When I was in college we called them post-toasties, but that never took off. [Ohhhhh.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGLzm-Gy0dQ) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/136 "2017-06-08T01:56:50Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > What does right to work and marriage have anything to do with free speech? A bachelor’s question. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/137 "2017-06-08T01:58:09Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > [Here’s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doUn0WY33YU&t=1s) the faculty turning on each other. Gosh, I have no idea where these students get their crazy notions of respect and tolerance from > > Disclaimer: I’m using the video version with rightist social commentary and satire because it’s got captioning. The raw version video, you can’t understand what she’s saying. The girl at 5:00 telling the professors that if they leave now no harm will be done to them looks like the red hair girl in the photo of this article: [Leftist student group at Evergreen begins ‘community policing’ university with baseball bats](https://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/06/07/leftist-student-group-at-evergreen-begins-community-policing-university-with-baseball-bats/) > [@](#): > > According to the professor, the student said, “Because I had shown some criticism to the protest that was occurring on campus in earlier weeks I have become targeted and harassed by a wide number of students on campus. Recently, there have been a number of students who patrol lower campus with weapons like baseball bats and tasers who claim to be making the campus safer but in reality are making campus more hostile.” ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/138 "2017-06-08T04:33:14Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Yeah that’s the tactic now. Label advocating free speech as racists, trolls, and other disingenuous terms. Perhaps it should be telling that those most loudly espousing free speech are the ones demanding it to _be neo-nazis._ ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/139 "2017-06-08T06:08:16Z")
Truly, if you are looking for clear-eyed, non-partisan reporting, _The Blaze_ is the place to go. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2017, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914/140 "2017-06-08T07:15:57Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Perhaps it should be telling that those most loudly espousing free speech are the ones demanding it to _be neo-nazis._ Assuming I parsed your statement correctly, why wouldn’t the supposedly liberty loving left be out free speeching neo Nazis? Is free speech no longer a liberal ideal? Is bat wielding intimidation and assault the right thing for students to do. It’s a bit odd that a private joke will get one disinvited to Harvard yet actual intimidation and campus disruption gets capitulation. Weird how academia panders so selectively. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evergreen-state-college-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-foretelling-the-death-of-higher-education/787914.md?page=8)