Harvard is ranked last in free speech rankings | Greg Lukianoff and Lex Fridman

TL;DR

Michigan Technological University ranks first in freedom of speech, while Harvard University ranks last.

Transcript

we uh first did a test run I think in 2019 about 50 and we've been doing it for four years now always trying to make the methodology more and more precise to better reflect the actual environment at particular schools um and this year the number one school is Michigan Technological University which was a a nice surprise uh the number two school was... Read More

Key Insights

• 😜 Michigan Technological University ranks at the top of the freedom of speech rankings, showcasing their commitment to fostering open discourse.
• 😯 Harvard University's negative ranking suggests significant obstacles to freedom of speech on campus.
• 😜 University of Chicago's drop in ranking reveals the importance of recognizing diverse student groups for a strong freedom of speech environment.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did University of Chicago drop in the freedom of speech rankings?

University of Chicago dropped due to their refusal to recognize a chapter of Turning Point USA, making an argument that existing conservative groups were sufficient. This decision downgraded their ranking.

Q: How did Harvard University perform in freedom of speech rankings?

Harvard University received the lowest ranking, with a score of negative 10.69. Despite criticism of the methodology, including arguments about the significance of certain scholars, Harvard still remained at the bottom.

Q: Which universities had successful de-platforming attempts?

The bottom five universities, including Penn, Georgetown, Fordham, and the University of South Carolina, had a high rate of successful de-platforming attempts. Penn and Georgetown had a 100% success rate.

Q: What is the fastest way for a university to rank poorly in freedom of speech?

The fastest way for a university to reach a low or zero ranking is through frequent de-platforming, where speakers are consistently canceled in response to objections from student groups.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The rankings for freedom of speech at universities have been done for four years, with efforts to improve accuracy.

• Michigan Technological University and Auburn University are among the top-ranked schools, with UVA being the most prestigious.

• University of Chicago dropped in the rankings due to a case involving a student group's rejection.