Professors from across the country have long been lured to Florida’s public colleges and universities, with the educators attracted to the research opportunities, student bodies, and the warm weather.

But for a swath of liberal-leaning professors, many of them holding highly coveted tenured positions, they’ve felt increasingly out of place in the Sunshine State. And some of them are pointing to the conservative administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as the reason for their departures, according to The New York Times.

DeSantis, who was elected to the governorship in 2018 and was easily reelected last fall, has over the course of his tenure worked to put a conservative imprint on a state where moderation was once a driving force in state politics. In recent years, DeSantis has railed against the current process by which tenure is awarded, and with a largely compliant GOP-controlled legislature, he’s imposed conservative education reforms across the state.

  • r3g3n3x@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    The liberal brain drain. There are people at all levels of influence and all levels intelligence in all states nudging things in their chosen direction.

    Those in position to influence red states cultivate social inertia based on faith and tradition instead of critical thinking or collective betterment. This is why authoritarianism prospers in this places and will continue to do so. Edit: forgot my point in my rambling: these brains do not drain and in fact desire this outcome.

    Before any red supporters roast me, the left manipulates based on social cues and utopian promises. Their rabble is generally more critically thinking and educated, but opens themselves to hubris and idealistic naïveté.

    Individuals with the ability and will to move away from perceived hostile environments increasingly are, and to places where they can live in an echo chamber. You can’t fault them, but as is discussed elsewhere, the effects on society at large in this age are concerning.

      • r3g3n3x@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        My position and argument are vague because proper nuance requires more effort and I don’t waste time debating online. I present my opinion, perspective, and insight. Take it or leave it and move on. Save your energy for meatspace where it is more valuable.

          • r3g3n3x@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            You seem frustrated. Me too. Online words change nothing. True view altering events rarely come from random internet discussion. You either seek the knowledge yourself and form a new opinion or have a good faith discussion with another in real time where shared space gives you a connection and ties your words to your identity (externally and internally). That’s where proper nuance is found. I’ve come to this conclusion after many revelations about personal unhappiness and choose to devote my energy to better pursuits. I’m happier now.

            I wish you better days.

    • samus12345@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      If an echo chamber is somewhere that most people aren’t hateful bigots, then yes, I’ll take the echo chamber.

      • r3g3n3x@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Don’t blame ya. Just an academic curiosity in where it leads is all I have.

        Society at this point is too large and has too many factors out of the control of individuals without power or money. Even if you find a hook to rally the masses against those in control ( see ows or blm) keeping the fire lit over distance via the internet and social media requires talent and energy to organize in the face of the current power and money that run the show. While the economy is fucked we’re all too busy keeping our heads above water to even get there in the first place.

        Consolidating politics and energy into proper physical camps by moving to be around like minded individuals so we can get movements out of the virtual realm and into the physical one surely can’t hurt.