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Okay, I try not to dunk on Twitter knobs, but this is just...
Federal judges: *issues extensive, exhaustively reasoned and cited dismissal rulings on Trumpâs lawsuits in several states, explaining lack of standing and other failures*
Trump supporters: âLEARN CIVICS, LIB!â
Federal judges: *issues extensive, exhaustively reasoned and cited dismissal rulings on Trumpâs lawsuits in several states, explaining lack of standing and other failures*
Trump supporters: âLEARN CIVICS, LIB!â
One of the most baffling parts of the regressive right is their deep belief that they gained the grand sum of all human knowledge about all subjects by 12th grade.
They are angered by the meer suggestion that the world is more complicated than what we teach 16-year-olds.
They are angered by the meer suggestion that the world is more complicated than what we teach 16-year-olds.
Like, not to go all annoying educator/academic here, but thatâs a fascinating construction of a community epistemology.
A reliance on authority for meaning-making is a well-established phenomenon in development theory, but the choosing of authority-source isnât as characterized
A reliance on authority for meaning-making is a well-established phenomenon in development theory, but the choosing of authority-source isnât as characterized
I donât think the Baxter-Magolda self- authorship model is the be-all-end-all of development theory. But, I do think itâs a useful model for thinking the epistemological development of people whose lives align with the predominant social narrative (esp white cis-het people.)
Baxter-Magoldaâs model focuses on how young adults move from a space of external definition (authorship) of reality, knowledge, meaning, and values to an internal, âself-authoredâmanner of understanding those things.
It grows out of higher ed student affairs work & research.
It grows out of higher ed student affairs work & research.
Self-Authorship theory was intended to help design better campus environments and co-curricular activities in order to facilitate student development along the self-authorship path.
But I think itâs useful to use some of the ideas in it to look at the Epistemology of the Right.
But I think itâs useful to use some of the ideas in it to look at the Epistemology of the Right.
One of the critical components of development in the self authorship model is intersecting cognitive dissonance & support for making meaning of that dissonance.
W/o cognitive dissonance, thereâs no development. W/o support, cognitive dissonance leads to regression/retrenchment.
W/o cognitive dissonance, thereâs no development. W/o support, cognitive dissonance leads to regression/retrenchment.
I know this has a bit of a touchy-feely, coddle/pity the Right feeling in this context, and thatâs definitely not my intention.
I am not advocating a âletâs hand-hold our oppressors through education because we can fix themâ position.
I am not advocating a âletâs hand-hold our oppressors through education because we can fix themâ position.
But, itâs important to take notice of the ways in which the people in power on the Right have worked to minimize any cognitive dissonance their followers might experience.
Also to cut them off from any support which might help them make meaning of dissonance they do encounter.
Also to cut them off from any support which might help them make meaning of dissonance they do encounter.
This entire process of self authorship works differently for people whose experiences differ significantly from the predominant narrative or those in their vicinity. (Thereâs actually good critical theory written about this.)
Cognitive dissonance is inherent part of our lives.
Cognitive dissonance is inherent part of our lives.
Essentially, it is hard to rely on authority for meaning making when authority consistently runs counter to your experience.
Moving to a space of self-authorship is a survival tactic for marginalized people.
Itâs not a perfect, but it is a very different development pathway.
Moving to a space of self-authorship is a survival tactic for marginalized people.
Itâs not a perfect, but it is a very different development pathway.
This is why criticisms of echo chamber is on the right and left are not equal. Itâs not there isnât danger, particularly for the cis straight white able folks on either side.
But, for all the flaws of liberalism, itâs not nearly as invested in AVOIDING learning.
But, for all the flaws of liberalism, itâs not nearly as invested in AVOIDING learning.
This is also a huge part of why conservatives want to deride colleges and universities as âliberal/lefty indoctrination operationsâ.
Higher Ed (esp residential undergrad) is designed (with research) to systematically get people to examine what their parents taught them.
Higher Ed (esp residential undergrad) is designed (with research) to systematically get people to examine what their parents taught them.
Now, that system is 100% designed for and by cis straight able white people. Even the âdiversityâ movement largely focused on how diverse campuses were good *for white students*.
Education lags wayyy behind in utilizing critical theory lenses in its work.
Education lags wayyy behind in utilizing critical theory lenses in its work.
But, from a pedagogical and development standpoint, the entire higher education modelâ from your general education requirements to your dorm activitiesâ is designed to move students through a set of growth milestones to an evaluative, critical epistemological position.