It is always good to hear what you have to say Bob, your analysis always has something to it.
Unfortunately by focusing on trolls you prove yourself correct and incorrect. Correct in regards to your primary frame of reference (pathetic right-leaning American trolls), incorrect overall. You see, in academia, political correctness and many other leftist biases do exist. It has become a part of the culture, and a part of what diffuses into the culture outside of the uni. I have experience here so I can say, in my experience, certain topics and theorists have become taboo, discouraged and highly troublesome for an intellectual within a university to write upon or research.
My PhD project is on understanding Islamist emergence through the application and critical examination of multiple theories (a macro introduction to the issues). A great deal has been written, but reactonary reviews slam a lot of useful contributions calling them racist (an ideology or religion is not a race) or simply calling-out any ideological examination of early Islam or Islamic movements as detrimental to the multi-cultural society, dangerous, intolerent etc etc etc. My field, which is coming together as a new discipline faces these problems every day. And a lot of good work is shoved aside because it is not leftist enough, or considered tolerant enough, even when it concerned with finding and providing answers, being critical (even of sacred cows) is soundly supported by research, established historical fact or simple logic.
When talking about cultural movements, flow on allegiances from decades back it is always difficult to be accurate. Good luck with these types of pieces though Bob.
Unfortunately by focusing on trolls you prove yourself correct and incorrect. Correct in regards to your primary frame of reference (pathetic right-leaning American trolls), incorrect overall. You see, in academia, political correctness and many other leftist biases do exist. It has become a part of the culture, and a part of what diffuses into the culture outside of the uni. I have experience here so I can say, in my experience, certain topics and theorists have become taboo, discouraged and highly troublesome for an intellectual within a university to write upon or research.
My PhD project is on understanding Islamist emergence through the application and critical examination of multiple theories (a macro introduction to the issues). A great deal has been written, but reactonary reviews slam a lot of useful contributions calling them racist (an ideology or religion is not a race) or simply calling-out any ideological examination of early Islam or Islamic movements as detrimental to the multi-cultural society, dangerous, intolerent etc etc etc. My field, which is coming together as a new discipline faces these problems every day. And a lot of good work is shoved aside because it is not leftist enough, or considered tolerant enough, even when it concerned with finding and providing answers, being critical (even of sacred cows) is soundly supported by research, established historical fact or simple logic.
When talking about cultural movements, flow on allegiances from decades back it is always difficult to be accurate. Good luck with these types of pieces though Bob.
