Live data from Hacker News

Texas college professor tries to flunk his whole class

washingtonpost.com

1–10 of 69 posts

Re: Texas college professor tries to flunk his whole class

#5
There's not enough information for a fair opinion on the matter.

The professor felt devalued from class behaviour, so he "made himself scarce". After establishing credibility by telling us about his past experiences and successes, he quits for reasons we can all empathize with. Scarsity, social proof and authority are 3 of the six principles described by Cialdini's Influence.

Re: Texas college professor tries to flunk his whole class

#6
Seems like he just had a nervous breakdown. He should probably take some time off, recover, and maybe take a job that requires less social interaction. Being a good teacher (no matter the age of the student) is draining and requires a lot of patience and emotional intuition.

Re: Texas college professor tries to flunk his whole class

#7
Even though this incident sounds more personal than idealistic, it keeps bringing back up the question of the purpose of universities.

I am okay with universities being a medium of education, where one can take any courses they want, and passing and failing is irrelevant (MOOCs?)

I am okay with universities being a place to enjoy four years of camaraderie and self exploration before committing to life or career goals.

I am okay with universities being a stamp of selection, i.e you were good enough to get into harvard so you must be smart.

However, universities try to be all three and fail miserably at all of them, while leaving students in a large debt that most are unable to reconcile with what they got out of it, along with a life-long 'average gpa' that barely reflects abilities.

Re: Texas college professor tries to flunk his whole class

#8

There's not enough information for a fair opinion on the matter. The professor felt devalued from class behaviour, so he "made himself scarce". After establishing credibility by telling us about his past experiences and successes, he quits for reasons we can all empathize with. Scarsity , social proof and authority are 3 of the six principles described by Cialdini's Influence .

I imagine this is one of those situations where the truth will never be available. All participates have taken sides, and have skewed / omitted / shaped their own stories for their own interests.

I wish we had a black box recorder for organizational and cultural failures.

[edited tone to convey agreement]

Re: Texas college professor tries to flunk his whole class

#9
post #7

Even though this incident sounds more personal than idealistic, it keeps bringing back up the question of the purpose of universities. I am okay with universities being a medium of education, where one can take any courses they want, and passing and failing is irrelevant (MOOCs?) I am okay with universities being a place to enjoy four years of camaraderie and self exploration before committing to life or career goals…

I think you are confusing "universities" with "USA universities", specially when it comes to debt and GPA.
Post reply on HN