Should I speak up in class to insane professors when they talk about political and economic fallacies? For example, bailouts don't work (when they say the contrary), taxation and inflation is theft, governments have monopolies in courts of law and counterfiting money, etc. I don't think the students in my classes even understand wtf I'm saying and these are accounting students, supposedly free enterprisers, am I right?
They are so stupid. To be fair, it's a very stupid part of the country as well. I know every city is pretty dumb, but here they vote about 75% democrat. So even if I say anything I don't think it does any good.
As a student, I'm going to tell you what I feel.
Save your breath, and the added stigma of being "that guy" that holds up class. It's jsut better off that way, besides you aren't goign to convert people in class, or at least, the likelihood is very small.
existence is elsewhere
Keep in mind what your goal would be.
You can pretty much forget about convincing your professor. So maybe your goal could be to not allow him to speak as easily. Another goal could be to give fellow students alternative ideas. If that is the case then you want to phrase your comments as understandable as possible. It's also smart to always keep your cool and realize that getting heated doesn't help you reach your goal of showing fellow students other ideas. Questioning propositions is also a reasonable approach. Just a very simple question: how do you know? (in response to the various interventionist claims)
Well... If your goal is to not get laid through college.
because expressing intelligence and assertiveness is not an attractive trait?
Where there is no property there is no justice; a proposition as certain as any demonstration in Euclid
Fools! not to see that what they madly desire would be a calamity to them as no hands but their own could bring
They are so stupid.
then don't bother. I wouldn't if I were you, though I still imagine how things would have been different if I knew what I know now in my political class back in the days when I was in school... But I simply didn't care about politics or even economy (phewww).
P.S. but maybe you can try making some "smart-ass" remarks (about taxation, voting, free-association), it's fun to see a reaction of statists
(english is not my native language, sorry for grammar.)
You're from MA, aren't you? ;-)
Seriously, though, I'd say it depends on the circumstances, the character of your professor and, most importantly, how you correct your professor. Even if your professor is a know-it-all-wannabe jerk, there are ways to discuss with him/her the issue at hand w/out straight out calling him stupid. I.e. rather than yelling out "you're wrong!", which will inevitably get you on his shit list, be more indirect, such as "assuming it works fine in the short term, what about long run consequences when all banks/countries know they will be bailed out? wouldnt that reduce their incentives to improve and remain competitive?" You're still saying the same thing, but in a far more polite and productive manner. At the very least, you can set yourself up for an interesting conversation. that's how i do it with my communist former roommate and, guess what, we're good friends inspite of our massive disagreements.
So, in short, i'd say it shouldn't be a problem, just make you're polite and discrete about it and try to get a discussion out of it. At the very least, he'll see that you can think critically and outside the box.
good luck :-)
true...to an extent. As a TA and student (as well as being a former "that guy" in high school), the stigma is not always as bad as it seems. I used to hold up on my own when pointing out and discussing problems such as these with my high school teachers. Sure, i got labeled a "dork" (a title I am quite proud of :-), but also found out that my fellow students greatly respected my intelligence and own opinion, rather than just absorbing the BS taught in class.
I suppose as long as OP doesn't go gung-ho about pointing out every silly little thing, I'd say it's fine.
I must confess I'm one of "those guys", though I'm not as much anymore and did so in physics and not economics lectures. It's nice in a way, with the hard sciences, when you ask questons the professors don't think you're trying to trip them up and try to help you to the best of their abillity, as long as it's not holding up the class too much. I'm not sure, but I wonder if the environment would be less welcoming in economics classes and subjects with political implications.
"When the King is far the people are happy." Chinese proverb
For Alexander Zinoviev and the free market there is a shared delight:
"Where there are problems there is life."
I might have to take a government class next semester. If I do, I am going to do all the research backwards and forwards and just sit in front ripping on the professor the entire time. Its going to rock.
CoolUserName: Should I speak up in class to insane professors when they talk about political and economic fallacies? For example, bailouts don't work (when they say the contrary), taxation and inflation is theft, governments have monopolies in courts of law and counterfiting money, etc. I don't think the students in my classes even understand wtf I'm saying and these are accounting students, supposedly free enterprisers, am I right? They are so stupid. To be fair, it's a very stupid part of the country as well. I know every city is pretty dumb, but here they vote about 75% democrat. So even if I say anything I don't think it does any good.
Just ask questions, whether serious or not. Otherwise, you are betraying the point of a "lecture".
If I wrote it more than a few weeks ago, I probably hate it by now.
I remember when I took a Constitutional Law class, when it came to the Sherman Act, child labor laws, or the National Industrial Recovery Act, my professor haaaaaaaated me!
I am in the same boat as you as a college student. I always speak up in class, but then again I live in Texas and people here are a bit more independent than in other parts of the country even though I live in the most liberal part of Texas (Austin). Before I speak I always make sure that I can thoroughly back up and defend my arguement. In my experience if you can back up what you say most professors, even though they may disagree with you actually enjoy and appreciate your interest since most of the other kids could care less.
But of course you will never change his/her opinion, but you may at least plant the seeds of truth in some other students head on which they will draw upon at some later date. I also find that once me or someone else breaks the ice and questions what is being taught that others will join into the debate often in your defense. So I say go for it as long as you can explain yourself and keep your cool. I have even met with my professors after class in their offices to discuss things and they seem to appreciate my opinions even if they are 180 degrees in the opposite direction.
Arvin: I discovered that I am smarter than most teachers I've had so far.
I discovered that I am smarter than most teachers I've had so far.
Why do you call them your "teachers", then?
Arvin: You're going to college to get educated[...], not to take part in lectures[.]
You're going to college to get educated[...], not to take part in lectures[.]
He was asking only about how to act during lectures. So you should interpret my response in that context.
Speaking up is fine, just be a bit more Socratic than how some people are on here.
Don't be the arrogant SOB that says he or she is smarter than all the teachers. That's both annoying and untrue.
OMG! Girls actually believe in free markets and freedom! And cute ones at that! Thanks, Nielsio, that video gave me new hope of someday being more than a loser who sits at his computer watching Ron Paul videos all day. Maybe someday I'll even have a girlfriend.....maybe.
In regards to OP, I am (hopefully) going back to college as a sophomore in the fall. I might as well just say where I'm going. Middlebury in Vermont. Yes, one of the most liberal (in the bad sense) places on Earth. Personally, I am excited to be "that guy" like Sarah. On the other hand, my strategy is to avoid all the classes where I would disagree with everything and be arguing with everyone all class. For example, my brother just took Macroeconomics at Middlebury and had to read a textbook by Paul Krugman. I'd much rather read Mises in my spare time, and pass on the Keynsian lectures (not that it isn't valuable to read the mainstream viewpoint, just much more valuable to become well-versed in the Austrian school).
I want to be a doctor, so I am planning to take lots of science and major in molecular biology/biochemistry. That way, I won't have to argue about politics and economics. But in my spare time, I want to wake up as many people as possible as efficiently as possible. So this means talking to people with less brainwashing or libertarian leanings, and starting a campus group to spread the ideas in larger events. I'm interested in making friends, but just as interested in achieving liberty. And a few girls would be nice, too.
"Should I speak up in class to insane professors when they talk about political and economic fallacies? "
I would say yes. But I would recommend asking thought provoking questions, as if you are really interested in the answer. For example, the bailouts. Ask the professor what would have been done with the money instead. Ask him how he knows it would not have been better spent other ways. That way the class get's to hear an opposing view. Just make sure you do not get into an argument, you will lose, because the professor is always right. If he makes a point you cannot address at that exact moment, think about it, and bring it up in a later class, saying you thought about it and you had another question about it.
At most, I think only 5% of the adult population would need to stop cooperating to have real change.
For example, bailouts don't work (when they say the contrary)
Good point.
taxation and inflation is theft
That's just libertarian BSing.
governments have monopolies in courts of law
Who denies that?
counterfiting money
Production is not counterfeiting.
I go to UT at Austin and have never been impressed by professors in the social sciences. There's no quality control on their disciplines. They don't ever test history or philosophy in real life.
Thanks everyone! Great responses. I think I will err on the side of caution and only speak when I can’t bear it anymore. Awesome vid Nielsio.
As far as getting laid, TANSTAAFL! lol
You know (this isn't just directed at the OP) there is a difference between "disagrees with me" and "is stupid." Just a thought.
Save your breath, and the added stigma of being "that guy" that holds up class.
Hayekianxyz "likes" this.
"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"
Bob Dylan
My opinion, if you want to speak up. Be very prepared. You have to back up rigoursly whatever you disagree with the professor about. What few liberal arts classes I had, that's the one thing that people who disagree with the professor fail to do.