Free speech! No beating around the bush this time.
So, there was a recent court case that is in the great machine of our Federal Court system. Case goes like this: a professor, in a constitutional law class (as I recall) is discussing affirmative action. He makes comments that, while possibly provocative, were meant to foster debate in his classroom. His comments were not inappropriate to either the class (constitutional law) or the subject matter (a government policy). Two students, finding his remarks offensive, get the student organization of which they are a part involved. This student organization then claims – based on the statements of these two students – that the professor said inappropriate, racially insensitive, things. These are the facts of the case as I remember them -except for a couple I’m neglecting for dramatic effect – and if I am incorrect in any particulars the spirit of the issue is there. The professor sued for defamation on his character, because the things said by the organization were untrue, as both sides now admit.
The question is whether or not the professor, being the professor, should be allowed to sue them, as students. The dean of this college says no on the grounds that it will prevent active debate and will act as a detriment to the overall learning of all students if students do not feel safe saying what they believe.

I was discussing this case with some friends (after the discussion began in my Constitutional Issues class) and the friends were concerned about the entire case, as I was telling it to them. I told them the facts in the same order I have listed them here, and then proceeded to say “the student organization proceeded to tell the dean and the college community the untrue remarks about the professor…” My friends were still uncomfortable about the idea of a professor suing students. And I continued “… and every local media source that would listen.” And then my three friends, in unison, went ‘oh okay then that is totally defamation.”
Without going into my beliefs on the subject, I feel it is not unfair to say that the inverse of the dean’s perspective could also be true: as a professor, I would be afraid to teach in a way that is conducive to engaging students if I was constantly afraid of being defamed while I had no recourse.

So in short, North Central fans: intelligent conversation inside and outside the classroom. Take that.

On the COW front, we had a ball at Medieval Times, and everyone hopes we can return next year.

Classes are relatively wrapping up, which will prove interesting for all manner of reasons, not the least of which being folks’ concerns about final projects.

I was (yesterday) recognized as the Outstanding Major in Computer Science, so that was quite exciting. I shared the award with my fellow blogger, Kelsey Wiseheart, which was pretty nifty. During our professor’s speech on us, our professor mentioned the subjects of our respective honor’s theses. While I was trying to keep somewhat of a lid on mine, my professor spoke in a way that now compels me to speak more openly about its subject, so here goes.
The nutshell version is that I feel that story-based, non-episodic, single-player role playing games are in a serious decline as a sub genre (to those of you who play them: when is the last time you saw a new one?) and I believe I know a possible cause and I believe I have a possible solution.
Quite the challenge, I know. But frankly I feel its a sub genre worth saving, and I hope it isn’t lost to the ages amidst massively multiplayer role playing games and role playing games that are mission-based, or episodic.

Oh, and for everyone who won awards yesterday, congratulations. I know many of you, and I’m glad to see that everyone did so well.

Okay, I know I have more to say, but I lost the thread. Many apologies.

Good luck everyone!

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 3:54 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response.