If our exchange led you to reading Upton Sinclair, then it is really worthwhile! I did realize you were just razzing me with the Chicago/commie jab, and I originally responded in kind with a short rejoinder, but then changed my mind and wrote a longer response as there are folks out there who read this board who probably believe that Chicago is a commie enclave, and that isn't true. But I should have made it more of a volley, because I know you appreciate tit for tat. Sorry about that.
For sure Chicago is a place that would harbor fellow travellers, but it is also a place where Milton Friedman would be comfortable teaching and which, just recently, issued the "Chicago principles" which basically said, "if you want trigger warnings and safe spaces, you best pick a different school to go to."
U of C is kind of a unique place. Coming from Princeton (admittedly at a young age), I was struck by the differences between the two institutions. Whereas Princeton is kind of a "we're great, we know it, and we are dedicated to making the world a better place, just watch us," Chicago is more, "I'm sorry, did you have an appointment? Well, come on in anyway and let's have a listen to what you have to say." I will NEVER forget when one of my advisors said to me once, "That's sloppy thinking. Don't do that again." Chicago is a place to think great thoughts, even about trivial issues. Most folks I meet are more impressed that I went to Princeton than Chicago, except for the real academics, where it is the other way around. I think, to a degree, Obama's time there made him less doctrinaire liberal, and more of "an issue at a time" sort of guy, to our benefit.
Yeah, and Jay Berwanger. Of course, also during that era, Robert Hutchins eliminated football from U of C, and tried to do the same with fraternities. He once said, "Football and fraternities are two things that attract students to universities who have no business being there." He was successful with football, but not fraternities.
