The Academic Voldemort Principle

The Academic Voldemort Principle

https://www.aier.org/article/the-academic-voldemort-principle/

Excerpt: First, proper citations safeguard against the theft of another’s original work. Second, they provide a road map for other scholars to track and replicate a claim, including independently vetting whether a stated reference provides sufficient evidence for an assertion. While crediting another scholar’s work can signal respect for that person’s contribution, this norm acquires even greater importance when an argument is contested. A proper citation allows the reader to independently verify whether one author is fairly and accurately representing the position of his or her opponent. (,,,) That norm is now giving way to one of the most toxic practices of the Far Left — the act of “deplatforming” disliked persons and viewpoints so as to exclude them from a discussion entirely. In the world of scholarly citations, deplatforming entails intentionally refusing to cite or acknowledge an opponent as a source — even when directly responding to their arguments. Consider it the Voldemort principle of academic footnotes, wherein a disliked opponent’s work simply becomes “he who must not be named.” [This article demonstrates how political bias becomes empowered, particularly in an academic setting. Remember that truth remains true, even if said by a known liar. The facts are not changed by who uttered the  words. Ron P.]