Recently I replied to a post on the College Board\u2019s AP Physics Teacher discussion forum, an act that always seems to be a dicey proposition. \u00a0A teacher had asked other AP physics teachers for instructional physics video recommendations. \u00a0I replied with links to one of my favorite video series, the MIT 8.xx introductory calculus-based physics series put together by Prof. Walter Lewin.<\/p>\n
If you are unaware, Prof. Lewin\u2019s lectures have been immensely popular and have been in many ways the \u201cde facto\u201d standard for online physics lectures. \u00a0His preparation was well thought out, his content coverage thorough, his demonstrations engaging, and his performances nearly flawless.<\/p>\n
Recently, however, Dr. Lewin\u2019s lectures have been pulled from the MIT website due to an investigation in which MIT determined that Lewin “had sexually harassed at least one student online.\u201d \u00a0(link here<\/a>). \u00a0You can still find versions on YouTube.<\/p>\n Following my post on the discussion forum, I received several responses from instructors stating that they would not recommend the videos any longer. \u00a0I briefly responded that the quality of the videos didn\u2019t change, therefore even though Lewin may have been acting in appropriately personally, the videos were not affected and retain their educational value.<\/p>\n Several responses were quickly received, ranging from recommendations to use alternate videos to a response stating that posting materials associated with Lewin would be morally irresponsible. \u00a0Though I do understand the concerns, I think disappointment in the behavior of one of our \u201cphysics heroes\u201d is clouding the collective judgment.<\/p>\n If referencing the works of scientists who have had personal ethical or moral failings is the \u201ccorrect response,\u201d we need to recognize how much great work must be thrown away. \u00a0It doesn\u2019t take long to research the personal lives of Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Marie Curie, Edwin Schrodinger, or even Stephen Hawking to find well documented evidence of significant personal life scandals. \u00a0Why is it that referencing their works in the classroom isn\u2019t morally irresponsible, but referencing Lewin\u2019s is?<\/p>\n This same issue surfaces again and again outside just the scientific world. \u00a0Were Babe Ruth\u2019s accomplishments less amazing (especially in relation to other baseball players of his time) knowing his personal behavior off the field? \u00a0Were Pete\u00a0Rose\u2019s 4,192 hits less valuable to his team because he was later found to have a gambling addiction? \u00a0Should the Cosby Show be banned from syndication due to the show\u2019s star alleged indiscretions? \u00a0In working toward my teaching certification, my class studied a book by Bill Ayers, whose past actions could easy label him a domestic terrorist. \u00a0Despite his past, however, as a class we were able to explore and debate the philosophies he promoted in his book in a productive manner. \u00a0We even re-elected a sitting president who lied under oath AND engaged in significant sexual misconduct.<\/p>\n My point isn\u2019t that any of these behaviors are anywhere close to acceptable, nor that we should excuse them. \u00a0Nothing could be farther from the truth. \u00a0My point, however, is that pulling Lewin’s videos punishes the many students who could benefit from them. \u00a0Severing ties with the author, closing the associated discussion forums, and similar actions appear reasonable. \u00a0Removing the good works done by this individual only makes a bad situation worse.<\/p>\n Finally, to say that using the works of a public figure discredited for personal indiscretions is \u201cmorally irresponsible,\u201d when looked at in a wider view, just becomes silly. \u00a0How many library books must you pull from the shelves? \u00a0How many theories and inventions must be destroyed? \u00a0And where do you draw the line on what level of personal indiscretion warrants these actions? \u00a0Is it a felony? \u00a0A misdemeanor? \u00a0Last week I received my first traffic ticket for a broken taillight (which was fixed first thing the next morning) \u2014 does that invalidate what small contributions I\u2019ve attempted to make to my field?<\/p>\n Let\u2019s move back to reality. \u00a0A beloved and popular teacher allegedly screwed up. \u00a0Big time. \u00a0We\u2019re disappointed, and we\u2019re hurt. \u00a0One of our heroes fell. \u00a0I get it, and I\u2019m hurt too. \u00a0But his mistakes don\u2019t invalidate his 40+ years of excellent teaching. \u00a0Our world is just not that simple.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Recently I replied to a post on the College Board\u2019s AP Physics Teacher discussion forum, an act that always seems to be a dicey proposition. \u00a0A teacher had asked other AP physics teachers for instructional physics video recommendations. \u00a0I replied Continue reading Separating Wheat from Chaff #lewin #physicsed<\/span>