Monday
(1)The great Californian 'brain drain' may be about to begin:
Already the "buzz" among philosophers is that the election of the absurd Schwarzenegger, in a state already facing enormous problems, is going to lead philosophers in California, especially at UC system campuses, to start thinking about leaving.
Those selfish Arnie voters have gone and done it now. See how they like struggling along without their philosophers. Hah! Serves them right.
[My thanks to Crooked Timber for the link.]
Oh, please Lord, please, and would they kindly stop off and pick up the philosophy profs here in Ohio as well on their way out the door! Except for my Phil 151 prof at Miami University. He actually had a mind and was capable of coming up with coherent and original thoughts rather than spewing some regurgitated garbage written 50 years ago by idiots. (He was a retired Army colonel. Who'd have thunk it!)
William Myers
Former Sgt. USA
Posted by Merlin at October 13, 2003 02:00 AM
Oh, please don't throw me in that briar patch!
If every deconstructionist in the UC system leaves, the recall will have helped California beyond Darryl Issa's wildest dreams.
Posted by Joseph K at October 13, 2003 02:29 AM
For goodness sakes, may they not settle here in Arizona.
Some time back I provided an information page about why Arizona is not a suitable place for most Californians.
Of course, the fact that I moved here from California 30 years ago just shows that I was smart to get out early ;-)
Posted by John Moore (Useful Fools) at October 13, 2003 02:42 AM
Please, please, please!!! How can we help this along? I wonder if they'd stop by the East Coast, near Harvard, and convince some of these guys that the US is 'going to hell in a handbasket'?
Go to a country that's FREE. Where they don't have to suffer the indignity of the 'great unwashed' picking Arnie for Governor. Yep, entire country is sure to go downhill now.
They better leave while they can. I hear they may be followed by the infamous 'men in black', pretty soon. Then it will be the black helicopters. All under the control of Bush's Nazi regime, the Jews who control all, the Illuminati, the Masons, and the brainwashed right wing conspiractors.
Flee for your lives. Get out while you can. Don't let the door hit you in your a@@ on the way out. JUST GO.
I bet you'd all love France. France is a great place to live. All that culture and sophistication. All those 'elites' who are obeyed. Go to France and tell us how you all like it so much better. Love to hear from you when you're all settled in.
Posted by Chris Josephson at October 13, 2003 03:59 AM
And Alec Baldwin announced he would leave the U.S. of A. if Bush got elected. He, like the so-called "Professors" in California who mouth the same thing after Arnold was elected, are full of bulls hit.
Can't say it'll be a cold day in Hell before that happens...that eventuality is being reserved for when the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl!
Posted by Macker at October 13, 2003 04:45 AM
To quote Deep Thought wneh confronted by a similar threat...
"And just who would that inconvenience?"
Posted by James A. Wolf at October 13, 2003 05:17 AM
I think the "brain drain" here might be referring to the impact the navel gazers will have when they introduce their genetic material into their adopted countries.
I'm sure whatever foreign far left Universities accepting these useless whining public servants bureaucrap parasites will cease to be brain drains and devolve into brain bogs sans wipe.
Posted by fnyser at October 13, 2003 07:05 AM
Interesting. The migration of these 'kind' folks to other countries will probably drive the more industrious members of those said countries to the US! Case in point: New Zealand.
Incredible strategy. Frikkin brilliant!
Posted by The Wobbly Guy at October 13, 2003 08:06 AM
Hi Wobbly Guy
Are you saying that New Zealand is attractive or repellent to industrious types?
Posted by Sturm at October 13, 2003 12:32 PM
Philisophical Question:
If a left wing film star stood for office, would the intelligentsia complain that politics was being dumbed down? Somehow I don't think so.
All those academics could show how much they care about the Iraqs and Afganis and go and live in Baghdad or Kabul. Or perhaps I am mistaking the reasons behind their opposition to war.
Posted by Jonathan L at October 13, 2003 02:52 PM
As long as they settle in France / Germany / Any Other European Country and not in Texas, this can only be a good thing.
We had an influx of Californians into Austin a while back, and the place went from Hippie Central to Democrat Yuppieville in about three years.
Posted by Kim du Toit at October 13, 2003 04:01 PM
"...is going to lead philosophers in California, especially at UC system campuses, to start thinking about leaving."
Do I need to get dressed up for this, or is it more polite to just send a card?
Posted by Scott Pedersen at October 13, 2003 06:25 PM
fnyser: what a horrifying thought. I didn't think this through far enough. At this point, I'm reasonably certain that the DNA contributions of the sexually active male subset of these professors has been safely confined to their heavily-contracepted students.
What are the projected consequences for the global gene pool of this threatened diaspora? Are there any genetic-epidemiologists who'd care to comment?
Posted by Jonathan at October 13, 2003 06:55 PM
It's a huge assumption to say that the exodus of university professors would result in a brain drain.
But if they are talking about starting to talk about maybe someday thinking about starting to maybe think of leaving, could they take all their Hollywood friends with them? That'd be good, thanks.
Posted by Ann at October 13, 2003 07:14 PM
Ann,
The tern 'brain drain' is being used ironically.
Posted by David Carr at October 13, 2003 08:05 PM
I'm trying to think of a use for a philosopher. I can see taking a few classes in it to improve the critical thinking process if you are in polisci, or compsci, or any number of other courses. But to major in philosophy? Why? To what purpose? What can you do with a degree in philosophy? Two things. You can teach philosophy and you can write books used to teach philosophy. That's not much different from sharks. All they do is eat and make baby sharks. Actually, shark steaks are pretty damn tasty. I wonder what BBQ philosopher tastes like?
Posted by Rossz at October 14, 2003 01:47 AM
Philosophers leaving California? Damn, there goes the last of our native English speaking cab drivers!
I guess we'll just have to tough it out.
Posted by Roy at October 14, 2003 02:17 AM
Now _there's_ a threat. "I don't like these election results! I am so upset, I am...starting to think about leaving!" "(gasp) when do you leave?" "Er. Haven't decided. I'm just in the "starting" phase, you know--then comes "thinking". There's no use rushing things."
Posted by Julesk at October 14, 2003 03:27 AM
"I wonder what BBQ philosopher tastes like?"
Why, chicken, of course.
Posted by JSAllison at October 14, 2003 05:14 PM
And WHERE pray tell, is it common to actually EMPLOY a philosopher?
Posted by Joe at October 14, 2003 06:21 PM
So, is there some sort of fund that I can donate to that allows these so called "philosiphers" out of the USA? Can I help pay some of the shipping costs? Send 'em to "enlightened" france. I'll help pay for the plane ticket.
Posted by Raging Dave at October 15, 2003 01:14 AM
Kim Du Toit
I'm only a Canadian (and therefore a likely target for this imminent emigration) but I somehow doubt that Texas is being actively considered by the fearful eggheads in question.
Posted by rick mcginnis at October 15, 2003 01:45 AM
I hate to sound like a fearmonger, but I bet it won't be long before professors of Ebonia and Womens Studies decide to flee as well.
Posted by John at October 15, 2003 02:56 AM
Philosophy 101: Final exam - 1 question (100 pts)
WHY?
Answering "Why not?" got an A
"Because" got a B
Any other answer got a C
Gotta love some of 'em...
Posted by mojo at October 15, 2003 05:33 PM
I have studied under some of California's "philosophers". One of them allowed my roommate to write a paper about her experience tripping on mushrooms in the redwood forests. Indeed, she even got an "A" for her efforts.
Good riddance. Maybe the ones who remain will actually teach philosophy instead of rhetoric.
Posted by Emily at October 15, 2003 08:55 PM
My respect! Very interesting site - a good resource for everybody!
Posted by nikky at August 21, 2004 02:05 PM
