"The Aristocrats" and how to think with statistics

Now that I have just about finished offering my new class for the first time (how to be an educated consumer of statistics & data), it occurs to me that teaching is a lot like stand-up comedy. Classes need to be workshopped to really be effective. I just debuted 37 hours of material. Take that Louie C. K.!

It also makes me wonder what comedians think is the optimal audience size? Too small and too big both seem problematic. For a class I think it’s around 25. Comedians must have some wisdom here. I bet it is the same for a class and for a stand-up show.

I decided to watch The Aristocrats to do some research.

I want to tell the students about my theory (that classes need to be workshopped) so they will understand what has been going on the last 15 weeks. I also kind of want to tell them about the movie (not assign it, just mention it). It’s really funny after all. But no way. I’m nervous even telling you guys, and you are the responsible internet community. It’s not so much I’m afraid of getting in trouble, though that would seem a strong possibility. 

No, the reason I won’t tell my class about the movie is because I am concerned about their tender sensibilities. Maybe it’s just this group (it’s been awhile since I’ve taught undergrads) and partially it is Wisconsin, but they seem awfully innocent and naïve. I just imagine them breaking down in tears at the obscenity. I know about campus sexual mores. I’ve also watched Game of Thrones with my own teen daughter, so I have a pretty high threshold. But this crosses a lot of lines. 

Upon further reflection (you can’t see, but I’ve been working on this post for days, which makes it seem even more obsessive): I broke down my very small class into different demographics to try to parcel out the variance. I discovered that the three female students who wear hijabs were really driving the effect. In this political climate, it has got to be rough to be a Muslim student (In the actual climate, maybe not so bad. It’s been cold this spring and a hijab could help keep you toasty.) While there are pros and cons to feeling like an outsider to the dominant campus culture, it’s probably not nice to be reminded of one’s disconnect unnecessarily.

Here is what I’m thinking about. Let’s say I do tell the class about this funny movie that contains graphic descriptions of incest, bestiality, and coprophagy. A student might think, “Not for me.” Great. Good decision. But an observant Muslim student might think, “Not for me because I am an observant Muslim student. Another instance where I am disconnected and missing out on the dominant culture. My beliefs and culture are important to me, so it’s worth it. But there is a cost.” (You can see my students are very thoughtful. It’s a good class.). Here’s another scenario. A student decides, “It’s just a movie. Let’s see what all the fun is about.” They get about 10 minutes in as George Carlin gets to his version and are horrified. “This is what people think is funny? I am confirmed in my outsider status.” And that’s not right either. Not everyone thinks this is funny, and that’s kind of the point.

What makes this movie work (if it works) is the thrill of being naughty, a mild reveling in perversity. You of have to understand how the comedians see themselves and this joke with respect to American culture. They don’t think, “Everyone believes this is funny so, let’s joke about it.” They think, “Everyone believes this is horrible, so let’s joke about it.” Being in on the joke requires a careful triangulation of what is an is not acceptable and accepted. (If it is not already clear, this is a complex movie, and not one to bring the kids. They have ratings for a reason.).

What I would like to feel, in the end, is that my students are more or less grown ups and they are owed the respect to be allowed to decide for themselves. But to do that, I have to give them the facts about what the movie is and why it might be good to watch or not (I should probably just have them read my blog).  My problem is that I am trying to come up with a trigger warning. “Watching this movie may make you feel you are weird for not finding it funny, and that you are an outsider. Don’t feel that way.” (I wouldn’t put it like that.)

Those of you who know me, meaning my wife and daughters, know I have been pretty dismissive and patronizing about the whole idea of trigger warnings. “It’s just a book.” Or “Get over it.”  I don’t like changing my mind, so I’m still not going to turn into an advocate. But now I understand (and endorse) one function of trigger warnings. “Don’t think that people think this stuff is OK or normal. Just because you see/hear/read about it, doesn’t mean people think it is fine. In fact, the reason you are probably seeing/hearing/reading about it is because the author wants to make the point it is NOT fine.” That seems like a really good trigger warning, and a message we really ought to give to people if we point them to this stuff.

I do kind of want to end the last day by doing the Drew Carey snap and saying:

…and that is, “How to Think With Statistics”