As a person concerned about research staff in universities that signed the compact, today’s article is constructive and solution oriented. Thank you so very much for taking action concerning intellectual freedom in an authoritarian age. That’s also a great summarization title of the problem to be solved.
The wealthy and privileged have made their case by distracting the American people with animated toys and technology. The overwhelming presence of data conflates fantasy with reality, making it difficult for many to see clearly or find truth and fact in the fog created. Nazism is a tool of the obscenely wealthy and privileged to pick the pockets and corrupt the minds of the public.
I thank you for all that you do, utilizing your breadth and depth of knowledge, as well as your passion, to help shed light and open windows of hope and optimism.
I would be happier with the recent Democratic wins, notably the massive victory in New York City, if I felt the Democratic Party was better prepared for the next steps Trump, and others, will take. I take some of my own perspective from the work of Carl Jung on the shadow. When we know and integrate all, or as many of, of the various parts WITHIN OURSELVES, we become readier to be alert to danger. We have seen it within us and we recognize it and we prepare for it.
I know it is easier said than done.
I know that emotions drive intellect, and at times cancel it. I know authoritarianism gives us alternative realities, tells us how to see. I understand that grandiose leaders are often ashamed about their own vulnerabilities, feeling weak.
"Never Underestimate the American People, and I believe that the United States has the potential to defeat this nascent autocracy and come out of it with a stronger, more just, and more democratic democracy." Ruth Ben Ghiat
Further I look forward, with excited anticipation, to the Q&A this week with author Soraya Chemaly.
Thank you so much, Professor, for your shared wisdom. I still believe there are those who will never convert from authoritarianism back to democracy, because it feeds their appetites or their bankrolls. I am still shocked by how many citizens are fine with this. I suspect it will take years to wrest our country back from these hyenas. Sigh.
"...those who will never convert from authoritarianism back to democracy..."
Our current fascism gives license to all the sadists, sociopaths, Machiavellians and narcissists in society, to fly their freak flag. They're MAGA for life.
How do the universities resist the extortion payments demanded by this administration in order to keep their research funds flowing? And how do they resist accepting government oversight of admissions and course content?
I believe that democracy is holding, right now, on the torn threads of the robes of justices who have courage to rule against authoritarian actions within the Republican order, including those of the Supreme Court, but it is becoming clearer that greed rules so many decisions…fear also is a strong influence toward keeping money front and center in their decisions. The 2026 elections will be a crucial part of turning this around and standing democracy back in place.
Better education in history may be necessary. In my public high school years (1950s) we got American history but you'd have to wait until you were in college before you got a good dose of European history. I remember reading Thucydides. It was so interesting that I read it twice. What's really missing is a history course on the subject of tyranny across time and across the world. After that a parallel course on the history of democracy. Both at the high school level. The Federalist Papers after that and I believe our youngsters will get it and we won't have to suffer under wannabe kings like Trump.
I am a double University of Michigan grad (BS, MD)...triple if you count my residency.
The profs for whom this lecture is named are legends; especially Mark Nickerson. I must say that I am surprised at your accepting this "honor," as Michigan Medicine bent the knee to Trump when it agreed to stop gender affirming care to minors [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/news-release/important-update-our-care-services]
I have expressed my profound disappointment by ending all financial contributions to U of M. And I have to wonder why you accepted this arguably dubious honor.
being 80 i survived public education in the 50s, complete with nationalist rah rah indoctrination
and philosophy of inclusiveness... the local Quakers, bucks county pa, provided eye opening
acts of enlightenment that during the Vietnam invasion ran medical/humanitarian aid through the US Naval blockade into Hanoi... nixon being a quaker might have helped... the false flag
golf of tonkin fracas a criminal travesty causing death and dishonor all around... we as a
nation have survived ourselves when we followed the political miscreants into inane military
adventurism as long as the incursions weren't too local... drumpf has seen to invade the
blue/leftist states/cities as attacking enemies, POTUS/PERVERTUS... how's that going?
complete rescue and relief for Democracy is warranted, realizing truth that under the cover
of shared responsibility we must vote as a whole for Constitutional rebirth... reevaluate the
misguided business model that makes us the world supplier of death machines... change our
so called intelligence services from intruding in other nations internal politics... find the
way to a national health provider instead of always a profiteering solution... we've been lying
As a person concerned about research staff in universities that signed the compact, today’s article is constructive and solution oriented. Thank you so very much for taking action concerning intellectual freedom in an authoritarian age. That’s also a great summarization title of the problem to be solved.
thank you for sharing your contribution to the lecture and letting us know of its existence. this helps us meet the challenges each day
The wealthy and privileged have made their case by distracting the American people with animated toys and technology. The overwhelming presence of data conflates fantasy with reality, making it difficult for many to see clearly or find truth and fact in the fog created. Nazism is a tool of the obscenely wealthy and privileged to pick the pockets and corrupt the minds of the public.
Yes, the Nazis were very good at one thing, getting people to see things their way.
I thank you for all that you do, utilizing your breadth and depth of knowledge, as well as your passion, to help shed light and open windows of hope and optimism.
I would be happier with the recent Democratic wins, notably the massive victory in New York City, if I felt the Democratic Party was better prepared for the next steps Trump, and others, will take. I take some of my own perspective from the work of Carl Jung on the shadow. When we know and integrate all, or as many of, of the various parts WITHIN OURSELVES, we become readier to be alert to danger. We have seen it within us and we recognize it and we prepare for it.
I know it is easier said than done.
I know that emotions drive intellect, and at times cancel it. I know authoritarianism gives us alternative realities, tells us how to see. I understand that grandiose leaders are often ashamed about their own vulnerabilities, feeling weak.
Thank you again, Carol
"Never Underestimate the American People, and I believe that the United States has the potential to defeat this nascent autocracy and come out of it with a stronger, more just, and more democratic democracy." Ruth Ben Ghiat
Further I look forward, with excited anticipation, to the Q&A this week with author Soraya Chemaly.
Thank you so much, Professor, for your shared wisdom. I still believe there are those who will never convert from authoritarianism back to democracy, because it feeds their appetites or their bankrolls. I am still shocked by how many citizens are fine with this. I suspect it will take years to wrest our country back from these hyenas. Sigh.
When the tide turns, there will be Nuremberg trials. Homan, Bovino, Noem, Rubio & Miller will have starring roles.
"...those who will never convert from authoritarianism back to democracy..."
Our current fascism gives license to all the sadists, sociopaths, Machiavellians and narcissists in society, to fly their freak flag. They're MAGA for life.
Thanks so very much. Is there a video to be watched ?
it will be on the UMich website
Please post a link to the Lucid substack when they do. Thanks. ✊🦉
Thank you Professor.
Your knowledge of
authoritarianism and
fascism, its presence
here in our country,
especially the
degradation of our
school systems is vital.
How do the universities resist the extortion payments demanded by this administration in order to keep their research funds flowing? And how do they resist accepting government oversight of admissions and course content?
As always,thank you for great information.
Go Blue!
I believe that democracy is holding, right now, on the torn threads of the robes of justices who have courage to rule against authoritarian actions within the Republican order, including those of the Supreme Court, but it is becoming clearer that greed rules so many decisions…fear also is a strong influence toward keeping money front and center in their decisions. The 2026 elections will be a crucial part of turning this around and standing democracy back in place.
✊🦉😉
Inspirational! Thank you for sharing this.
Better education in history may be necessary. In my public high school years (1950s) we got American history but you'd have to wait until you were in college before you got a good dose of European history. I remember reading Thucydides. It was so interesting that I read it twice. What's really missing is a history course on the subject of tyranny across time and across the world. After that a parallel course on the history of democracy. Both at the high school level. The Federalist Papers after that and I believe our youngsters will get it and we won't have to suffer under wannabe kings like Trump.
Does authoritarianism ever really end in the halls of universities? Or does the March of new Resistance begin there?
I am a double University of Michigan grad (BS, MD)...triple if you count my residency.
The profs for whom this lecture is named are legends; especially Mark Nickerson. I must say that I am surprised at your accepting this "honor," as Michigan Medicine bent the knee to Trump when it agreed to stop gender affirming care to minors [https://www.michiganmedicine.org/news-release/important-update-our-care-services]
I have expressed my profound disappointment by ending all financial contributions to U of M. And I have to wonder why you accepted this arguably dubious honor.
being 80 i survived public education in the 50s, complete with nationalist rah rah indoctrination
and philosophy of inclusiveness... the local Quakers, bucks county pa, provided eye opening
acts of enlightenment that during the Vietnam invasion ran medical/humanitarian aid through the US Naval blockade into Hanoi... nixon being a quaker might have helped... the false flag
golf of tonkin fracas a criminal travesty causing death and dishonor all around... we as a
nation have survived ourselves when we followed the political miscreants into inane military
adventurism as long as the incursions weren't too local... drumpf has seen to invade the
blue/leftist states/cities as attacking enemies, POTUS/PERVERTUS... how's that going?
complete rescue and relief for Democracy is warranted, realizing truth that under the cover
of shared responsibility we must vote as a whole for Constitutional rebirth... reevaluate the
misguided business model that makes us the world supplier of death machines... change our
so called intelligence services from intruding in other nations internal politics... find the
way to a national health provider instead of always a profiteering solution... we've been lying
to ourselves, this is just dishonorable...