1/ I want to comment about this study, but first I want to make one thing clear: My comment is not about Cory. I’m not faulting her. My comment is about the studies like this and their possible effects relative to the mission of Heterodox Academy. https://twitter.com/ImHardcory/status/1266349632034127873

2/ My comment:

On one hand, from an academic social science standpoint, the question of left-right diffs is understandably fascinating.

On the other hand, from an “Can we all get along?” standpoint, studies like these seem not only beside the point, but worse, divisive.

3/ It’s clear that people tend to fear, and even hate, that which they do not understand.

And, as Jon Haidt has pointed out, a key to reducing partisan divisiveness is to emphasize our similarities and common interests rather than our differences.

4/ Therefore, it would seem that key tactics of Heterodox Academy would include 1) fostering better understanding and 2) highlighting common interests.

5/ But, it seems to me, studies like this do the opposite of both of those things.

They feed the beast of MISunderstanding.

They emphasize differences.

6/ In this way, Heterodox Academy’s continuous promotion of studies like this seems to be counterproductive to its mission of increasing intellectual diversity and decreasing partisan bias in academia.

7/ I do not question the goals of Heterodox Academy, nor do I question the heartfelt good intentions of its members, but...

8/ ...since actions speak louder than words, I just wonder sometimes if Heterodox Academy has really thought through the message its actions sometimes convey.