Three intrepid academics just perpetrated a giant version of the Sokal Hoax, placing scores of fake papers in major academic journals. Call it Sokal Squared. The result is hilarious and delightful. It also showcases a serious problem with big parts of academia. (Thread.)
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The authors rightly emphasize that topics like race, gender, or sexuality should be the object of serious study. Their problem is that the kind of bullshit that now counts as scholarship in some quarters of the academy does not constitute anything like that. 10/npic.twitter.com/5fxFn5Cav4
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Most likely, the authors will be denounced. Most likely, these areas of "scholarship" won't change. Most likely, deans will keep pretending that their emperor are fully clothed. But after today, there's no more excuse for calling this bullshit out when you see it. 11/11
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(for *not* calling this bullshit out when you see it.)
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Sorry, folks. I loosely used "scores" to mean "lots." The stats as I understand them: Out of 20 papers 7 accepted for publication 7 in process (e.g. R&R, etc.) 6 rejected Impressive. To show you how seriously the hoaxers take the truth,
@HPluckrose was first to point this out.Show this thread -
Last point: Where these "major" journals? These weren't the *best* journals in sociology or poli sci. They won't get you tenure in traditional fields at most Ivies. It's worth stating the obvious: by and large, academia remains a serious search for truth. (Contd.)
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*But* I do stand by the claim that they were "major" journals in their fields. If you want to get tenure in newer departments, like Gender Studies, at serious liberal arts colleges or well-known research universities, publication in these journals will help. A lot. (Contd.)
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And that's the crucial point. Though most parts of academia retain serious intellectual standards, Sokal Squared suggests that you can now be made a professor, and get to teach college kids, by spewing absurd, ideological bullshit. Anyone who waves that off is in deep denial.
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End of conversation
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I think he was the only one.
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