Postmodernism in Academia

The Postmodernist Capture of Academia: Tracing the 'Long March Through the Institutions'

The infiltration of postmodernist thought into academic institutions has profoundly reshaped intellectual discourse, challenging established norms and methodologies. This transformation, often referred to as the 'long march through the institutions,' has led to significant shifts in how knowledge is produced, disseminated, and critiqued.

Understanding the 'Long March Through the Institutions'

The term 'long march through the institutions' was coined by German socialist Rudi Dutschke in the 1960s. It refers to a strategy of enacting radical change by infiltrating and transforming established societal structures from within, including universities, media, and political organisations. This approach emphasises the importance of cultural and ideological struggle in achieving political change. The postmodernists have adopted this idea and pushed for meritocracy to be removed as it is 'colonialist' and 'elitist' in favour of academic and institutional appointments being based on 'lived experience'. This has led to a number of mediocre, inadequate postmodernists gaining power and with that power filling positions with their equally useless and inadequate co-conspirators. This is how, one by one they have taken control and changed laws and social policy. As a rule of thumb, the more obviously captured an institution is, the more useless, inadequate and unfit for purpose it will be simply because those embedded there are mindless ideologues who are very often not qualified or skilled at anything whatsoever except in being an oppressed postmodernist activist.

Education Standards

I am sure that you have probably heard someone say, "education standards aren't what they used to be..." or maybe you are the one who says it? Either way, the statement is correct. Every year standards are being lowered to ensure that students pass and the failure rates are not exposed for all to see. Why is this? Well, put simply we hardly have any good, properly qualified teachers anymore. In 2019 Australian Universities charged money for delivering 'teaching' that was in many cases non existent. That year only 17% of those in 'teaching' positions were actually properly qualified teachers and that rate has definitely dropped from then thanks to the swingeing, budget driven cuts in 2021-23.

Think about that for a minute. This is University, the supposed pinnacle of education and learning. In effect our Doctors, Teachers, Scientist, Lawyers and Nurses are still getting degrees but are not being taught. How is that achieved? Well it doesn't take a genius to figure out that standards must be dropped to do this. Your next question should then be, why are there no teachers? Many graduate but due to the insanely bad education policies of multiple governments leave for less stressful and far more lucrative lives in alternative professions, others have left due to political interference and the blatant lies of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion that has invaded schools and universities. Yet more have been cancelled, or have self cancelled because they were not prepared to cede their professional pride and integrity to the invasion of postmodernist zealots. And you might ask, who filled their places, who are the 83%? A rag tag assortment of 'teacher's pets', professional student activists and totally unsuitable individuals who lack qualifications but have a 'lived identity' that somehow 'qualifies' them to be an Assistant Professor, or they have a Doctorate like a former colleague, in the "gender identity" of Disney characters!

A prediction based on this, as a qualified teacher of over 35 years experience, this will not end well for anyone and recent students should be organising a class action against Australian Universities for fraudulently lying about 'teaching fees'.

Undermining of Science and Objective Truth

The basis of all our human knowledge is under serious threat thanks to postmodernist institutional capture as postmodernism states that truth is not an absolute, universal concept but rather a construct shaped by language, power dynamics, and cultural contexts. This perspective has significantly influenced various academic disciplines, leading to a reevaluation of established scientific facts and methodologies.

In the realm of science, postmodernist thought has introduced a critical stance toward the idea of objective knowledge. It questions the possibility of achieving unbiased, value-free understanding, suggesting that all knowledge is influenced by social and cultural factors. This perspective challenges the foundational principles of the scientific method, which relies on objectivity and empirical evidence.

The postmodernist critique extends beyond academia into the broader societal understanding of truth and information. By promoting the idea that all narratives are equally valid, it has contributed to the proliferation of misinformation and the blurring of lines between fact and opinion. Now, according to the postmodernists the ideas, beliefs, and feelings of 17-year-old "Jennifer" - whose real name is Adrian, and who spends all his time online watching sissy porn and spreading conspiracy theories about "transgenocide" - are considered just as valid as those of Professor Richard Dawkins, a world-renowned evolutionary biologist whose work on gene-centered evolution, natural selection, and the biological reality of sex has shaped modern science. This environment has facilitated the rise of "fake news," where subjective interpretations are presented as equally credible as established facts.

The concept of "fake news" is not a recent phenomenon but has been exacerbated by postmodernist thought. By challenging the existence of objective truth, postmodernism has created a fertile ground for the spread of misinformation. This environment allows for the dissemination of misleading narratives and outright falsehoods, as the distinction between truth and falsehood becomes increasingly blurred.

Postmodernism's emphasis on subjective experience over objective fact has led to a cultural shift where personal feelings and opinions are often prioritised over empirical evidence. This shift undermines the credibility of information and knowledge, making it increasingly difficult to discern truth from falsehood. The elevation of "lived experience" over objective analysis has contributed to a societal environment where misinformation can flourish unchecked.

• Medical Research and Evidence-Based Medicine: Postmodernist critiques have influenced medical research, leading to a focus on patient narratives and experiences. While this approach has value, it has also been criticised for potentially overshadowing empirical evidence and scientific rigour. For instance, the emphasis on individual patient stories can sometimes lead to the neglect of broader, evidence-based guidelines. And lies about the sex of participants corrupt vital medical research in areas like sex based cancers.
• Climate Debate: The scientific consensus on climate has been challenged by postmodernist perspectives that question the objectivity of scientific data. Despite most scientists telling us that the environment and the climate are linked, the postmodernist confusion and influence has pushed a deliberately false narrative that conflates environmental threats with impending climate catastrophe. This has contributed to public confusion and debate, hindering collective action on important environmental issues. By promoting the idea that all viewpoints are equally valid, postmodernism has facilitated the spread of misinformation regarding climate science.
• Public Health Messaging: During health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, postmodernist scepticism toward scientific authority has led to the proliferation of conspiracy theories and misinformation. This environment has made it challenging to disseminate accurate information and implement effective public health measures. The questioning of expert consensus has allowed false narratives to thrive, undermining public trust in health guidelines.

When 18 Nobel Laureates challenge the climate catastrophe narrative and expose corruption in research, it’s clear the debate is far from settled. Science thrives on scepticism, not consensus, yet funding is overwhelmingly directed toward studies that reinforce crisis-driven policies, while dissenting voices are silenced. This isn’t just about science - it’s about money and power. Trillions are tied up in green energy, carbon credits, and regulatory schemes, creating a system where research is shaped by financial and political interests rather than objective inquiry. If the science were truly settled, open debate wouldn’t be suppressed.

Timeline of Postmodernist Influence in Academia

• 1960s-1970s: Emergence and Integration - Postmodernist ideas began to permeate various academic disciplines, including literature, philosophy, and sociology. The works of thinkers like Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida introduced concepts that challenged traditional epistemologies and methodologies.
• 1980s: Institutional Adoption - Universities and academic journals increasingly incorporated postmodernist perspectives into their curricula and publications. This period saw the establishment of departments and programs dedicated to postmodern studies.
• 1990s-Present: Mainstream Dominance - Postmodernist frameworks became dominant in various fields, influencing research methodologies, curriculum development, and academic discourse. The emphasis on deconstruction and relativism has led to a reevaluation of established knowledge.

Examples of Postmodernist Influence in Australian Academic Institutions

• University of Sydney - A significant centre for postmodernist thought, hosting scholars who have contributed to the development of postmodern theory.
• University of Melbourne - Established one of the first departments of Cultural Studies, integrating postmodernist theories.
• Australian National University (ANU) - Influential in incorporating postmodernist perspectives into philosophical analysis.

Implications and Critique

The integration of postmodernist thought into academia has led to a more critical and relativistic approach to knowledge production. While this has fostered diverse perspectives, it has also been critiqued for undermining objective standards and promoting intellectual relativism. In short, an ideology where nothing and everything are true and false, equally and at the same time is nothing but nonsense. While some will spend time desperately trying to analyse something which says there are no rules, but at the same time demands we accept this argument, is simply not wasting any time on. It is no different to a child who lies to suit and throws tantrums when those lies are simply not believed. To call postmodernism philosophy insults philosophers. To call it an idea insults the intellect of an amoeba.

But "what about Schrödinger," I hear someone say, "wasn't his cat both alive and dead at the same time?" Absolutely. Schrödinger’s cat paradox was a serious thought experiment designed to illustrate the absurdity of applying quantum mechanics to macroscopic objects. He was highlighting a real and unresolved issue in quantum theory - namely, the problem of measurement and superposition. His work had rigorous scientific and philosophical grounding, even if it was later misinterpreted or oversimplified in popular culture.

Postmodernists, on the other hand, revel in obscurantism, relativism, and intellectual sleight of hand, often deliberately avoiding clarity to dodge refutation. They claim that all meaning is subjective, that objective truth is an illusion, and that language constructs reality rather than merely describing it. Unlike Schrödinger, who sought to clarify a genuine scientific conundrum, postmodernists generate confusion for its own sake, using jargon-laden nonsense to undermine knowledge rather than expand it.

Schrödinger’s paradox was a challenge to scientific interpretation; postmodernism is an attack on the very notion of interpretation itself. The difference is stark.