Behind the Open Curtain

From the South Bend Tribune: "Religion, horror inspire former Mormon author," featuring a discussion of Brian Evenson's latest book. They're trying to cram an awful lot into that headline, aren't they? I'm less interested in Evenson's writing than in how his unfortunate experience at BYU raises issues related to academic freedom and its limitations. The anonymous letter system seems particularly disruptive — these are generally authored by disgruntled students or jealous colleagues, neither of whom should be empowered to initiate disciplinary inquiries of faculty members in good standing. For a full list of Evenson's works, see his Wikipedia page.

Comments

[Velska]

"Unlike Brown, however, Evenson comes clean on all inserted facts".

That sounds encouraging. Still, there will be people, again, who will take fiction as fact.

I think the Evenson story is an unfortunate example of people wanting to control a little too much of what their neighbors do. What I mean is, what good did censoring literature ever do? I understand the impulse to a certain degree, but still...

According to an experienced psychologist, the worst atrocities are often done by people who are absolutely incapable of imagining the terrors they end up doing. It is as if the ability in us to imagine something, step back and look at it, then decide it's actually appalling and filing it away, gives us ability to empathize with others.

[Matt W.]

According to an experienced psychologist, the worst atrocities are often done by people who are absolutely incapable of imagining the terrors they end up doing.

Not a lot of evidence to support this. On the other hand, The man who killed the amish children last year wrote a letter to his wife saying he was a bad person because of the things he imagined doing. Charles Manson is known for his imagined shenanigans. Porn has been shown to cause changes in the brain based on imagined responses. Several crimes units have reported gangs acting out scenes from GTA, etc. People can not do what they do not think of.

In any case, I am not for rampant censorship, but I do censor what comes into my own home, and into the lives of my 5 year old. (Yes, I even censor bible stories we talk about to a certain extent) Maybe that is wrong of me, by I believe that some things require a certain level of maturity to assimilate. (My kids are 5 and 1, before you judge)

[Justin]

I question how carefully and accurately Evenson treats the Hooper Young case in his latest book.

Aside from that issue, I recently came across an August 1996 speech by then-BYU president Merrill J. Bateman in which he, among other things, addressed the subject of anonymous complaints in responding to plagiarism allegations made against him by an anonymous BYU faculty member. This was about a year after Evenson left BYU. President Bateman said:

"A third concern was and is for a few members of our community who feel the need to hide behind the cloak of anonymity. This is an open university, and I pledge to maintain that atmosphere. Reasonable men and women will differ in their views, but there are established procedures for resolving differences. Heads of departments, deans, and the administration have an open-door policy. The Faculty and Administrative Advisory Councils are additional forums for discussion. The administration has had brown bags with the faculty and staff in the past and will continue to do so. My door is always open, as many of you know.

The Savior also provided a formula for resolving differences. He said:

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [Matthew 18:15–16]

Within the university, anonymous letters regarding faculty or staff are ignored and returned to the person cited. Signed letters are given to the dean, department head, and appropriate faculty or staff for your information and discussion."