Note This, and other "what the campus community has to say" sites were originally intended as friendly, chat-room-like areas for exchanging casual thoughts. Having recently been (mis)quoted in the national press from this page, I have elected to remove the "what the campus community has to say" areas from SWIRL. At some future point they may be reinstated as protected chat rooms. While this is unfortunate, I believe it is in the best interests of our contributors. --Warren Hedges, SWIRL administrator

The original remarks on the page: Judith Butler's ideas are sophisticated enough that people usually simplify them in cartoonish ways. Engaging her in a profound way necessitates an understanding of an intimidating list of difficult thinkers: Hegel, Lacan, Irigaray, and Riviere. Not to mention a familiarity with Nietsche, Freud, A.J. Austin and Foucault. Probably one of the ten smartest people on the planet, and damn her--he said admiringly--she's only 34.

David Meyers has noted that the quote above originally misspelled Nietzsche's name and incorrectly listed A.J. instead of J.L. Austin, errors I corrected when they were pointed out to me via email. As a glance around this web pages will confirm, I am a poor speller. If you notice spelling errors, please email me and I will correct them. He also might have noted that Butler was 34 when she published her ground breaking Gender Trouble, but 41 in 1997 when the remark was posted. As written, the post may give the impression that she was 34 in 1997.

It was unfortunate to be quoted at all. It was even more unfortunate, however, to be quoted so irresponsibly. For a camp response to the entire intrusion, see Rockem Sockem Nussbaum.