The Dissidents The Dissidents

Join co-hosts Chris and Joia and get to know one of the founders and board members of the Institute for Liberal Values, Jennifer Richmond. Jennifer believes we are at our best when protecting individual rights and freedoms. Hear her stories and discover how Jen’s background in International Relations has shaped her understanding and advocacy for Free Speech. And don’t forget to check out the book she recently co-wrote with W.F. Twyman, Jr: Letters in Black and White: A New Correspondence on Race in America

 

See: https://ilvalues.org/

In this week's episode we talk about public speech as a mechanism for thinking, learning, and reflection. Elizabeth is joined by the founders of 1776Forward, Chris Bush and Joia Houheneka, for a discussion about how speaking aloud may impact our worldviews and relationships. We refer to an article that inspired us to think aloud about the impacts of community, word choice, and modes of communication on private and public attitudes, decision making, and creativity. We end on a positive note by considering how relevant metaphors (thinking of speech as play and free speech advocacy as a journey, not a fight) might help us all enjoy participating in liberal discourse.



Podcast notes
https://1776forward.com/
https://www.compactmag.com/article/private-thought-and-public-speech/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

This week Mike and Elizabeth discuss how we interpret others' decision-making motives and whether our assumptions make it more difficult to have liberal conversations. As a starting point, we reference research in which participants reasoned about their own and others' choices in different contexts. One study examined motives attributed to Trump and Clinton voters just days before the 2016 election. In all cases, others' decisions were assumed to reflect superficial motives.





Podcast Notes:

Barasz, K., Kim, T., & Evangelidis, I. (2019). I know why you voted for Trump: (Over)inferring motives based on choice. Cognition, 188, 85–97. 

Co-hosts Chris and Joia are delighted to bring on their first guest. James Petts is a barrister (the equivalent of a trial attorney) in London, England where he focuses on commercial and Chancery (property) cases, especially those involving fraud or dishonesty. To him, liberalism is fundamentally the rigorous reasoned inquiry in all aspects of life, particularly in ethics – this includes the understanding that concentrated coercive power is inherently dangerous. 





Podcast Notes:https://institute-for-liberal-values.circle.so/c/liberal-values-concepts/

This week Mike and Elizabeth discuss grade inflation and beliefs about teaching and learning, particularly among radical left college professors.  A recently published survey of state university professors confirmed previously documented trends of declining standards and grade inflation. Political orientation emerged as the most useful predictor of beliefs and attitudes about these trends.  We discuss the numerical findings, the open-ended responses, and authors' interpretation regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, merit, and the future of higher education.  






Podcast Notes:



Horowitz, M., Haynor, A. L., & Kickham, K. (2023). “Undeserved” Grades or “Underserved” Students? Faculty Anxieties and Eroding Standards in the Corporate University. Higher Education Politics & Economics, 9(1), 43–84

In this introductory episode, co-host Joia interviews co-host Chris. In addition to being one of the co-founders of 1776 Forward, Chris is a real estate investment and development executive and entrepreneur who is currently focused on a mission to bring greater beauty, efficiency, and new modes of living and working to the built environment. His philosophical approach includes a dedication to promoting the cause of philosophical liberalism.



See: www.1776forward.com