After a national survey meant to assess the representation of "transgender and gender nonconforming" undergrads in science, technology, engineering and math fields elicited a major dose of sarcasm and insults, five woke researchers have written a paper arguing the responses are proof that "fascist ideologues" are "living ‘inside the house’ of engineering and computer science."
Of 723 responses, only 299 were considered valid, and 50, or 15%, were classified as "malicious." True to form, the researchers -- all associated with Oregon State University -- also claim injury from unwelcome words:
"The malicious words and slurs directed towards our research team had a profound impact on [our] morale and mental health...particularly for one of our graduate student researchers...who was already in therapy for anxiety and depression regarding online anti-trans rhetoric" and "had to be taken off the project to heal from traumatic harm."
Asked about their gender, many respondents identified as attack helicopters, a long-standing meme that mocks woke culture's encouragement of people to "identify" as whatever they want. Comically, the authors took special offense that many respondents specifically chose the best-known attack helicopter:
"It is notable that the specific descriptor of an Apache Attack Helicopter is referenced by several different participants—itself a synthesis and reflection of U.S. military force and the appropriation of Indigenous language by colonizers."
The 28-page paper is titled "Attack Helicopters and White Supremacy: Interpreting Malicious Responses to an Online Questionnaire about Transgender Undergraduate Engineering and Computer Science Student Experiences." It was rejected by multiple engineering-education journals before finding a home at "Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies," which Northwestern University alumni can proudly claim as their alma mater's contribution to society.
“Online memes associated with white nationalist and fascist movements were present throughout the data, alongside memes and content referencing gaming and ‘nerd’ culture,” wrote the authors, who call for academia to face STEM's surging fascist menace head-on, as the survey results demonstrate "social justice STEM education must include perspectives on online hate radicalization and center anti-colonial, intersectional solidarity organizing as its opposition."
There are plenty more word-salads strewn through the 28-page paper. Rather than ranch dressing, they're served with a splash of Marxism:
Keeping in mind that $5 Amazon gift cards were used as an enticement to participate, here's a sampling of the responses that sent the study's lead data analyst fleeing into the arms of a therapist...
Just think: If your wisecracks in our comments are potent enough, you too may find yourself quoted in an alarmist paper at the esteemed Bulletin of Applied Transgender Studies.