en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/427238 Comments by chadn737 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/mpatterson/2009/05/31/a-conservative-journey-through-literary-america-part-6-mamet-of-tarsus/#IDComment22954335 A little off topic, but let me respond to the "why there aren't conservatives in academia" argument, which may or may not have relevance to the "why there aren't conservatives in the arts" argument. I am a PhD grad student in Biology, conservative, and Christian. As a grad student, I am essentially in the academic establishment. I work directly with the faculty and aid in teaching the undergrads. I frequently find myself at parties held by my professors. I think the dearth of conservatives has a great deal to do with the fact that academia is so overwhelmingly liberal. So overwhelmingly liberal is the atmosphere of the upper echelons of academia that I was loathe for the longest time to fully expose myself. I know the cross necklace I wore oft times brought about comments, but still the inherent assumption is that I was a pinko on the inside. This last election finally brought about my greater exposure when I found myself at a faculty house party listening to one professor decry how horrid the right-wing media was towards Obama. When I pointed out the treatment of Sarah Palin, this was met by a moment of shock, followed by blustering replies. I was finally exposed to a wider audience, somehow I had managed to slip in. Now, through this, I have not been met by outright dislike or hatred, and some even value my opinion all the more because I represent a viewpoint not common to that world. Despite this, however, the overall atmosphere and implicit assumption that everyone is liberal makes it unpleasant at times. Derogatory generalizations of Conservatives is commonplace and the political activism of faculty makes it uncomfortable for you to speak your own mind. As a grad student, there is always a level of hesitation in being confrontational on matters not necessarily related to your studies and work. To actually reach the level of tenured faculty, the student must first complete their Ph.D. which can last 4-7 years on average. In the sciences this is typically followed by one or two postdoctoral positions each lasting around 3 years. Then one becomes an assistant professor and it is 5-7 years before you can achieve tenure. That's a bloody long time scraping yourself up the ladder and given the politics of the university, this means also maintaining a level of good relations with a large number of faculty who are not only liberal, but vocal and sometimes almost militant about it. That's around 15 years, give or take, for the conservative to survive in hostile territory, with no guarantee of success at the end. In comparison, private industry tends to be more conservative in nature and with the prospects of larger salary, is a far easier route. So if I had to explain it, its not because conservatives are less intelligent. Its not because their view of the value of academics is somehow inherently different. Rather I would chalk it up to the shear unpleasantness of trying to survive in a politically hostile environment with no guarantee of success. Few people are willing to actually put up with all that. I myself would like to stay in academia, but as the environment wears on me, I find myself increasingly considering other career routes. I have even at times, God forbid, considered caving and just becoming a liberal. Though I know nothing of the world of the arts and literature, I wonder if it is not similar. Mon, 1 Jun 2009 04:05:30 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/mpatterson/2009/05/31/a-conservative-journey-through-literary-america-part-6-mamet-of-tarsus/#IDComment22954335