Show Notes

Academic Freedom vs. Academic Censorship In The Wake of Covid-19

Today we are diving deep into a topic that’s more relevant than ever – academic freedom and academic censorship, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joining me is my brilliant friend Dr. George F. Tidmarsh. In this week’s episode, we’re exploring the tension between elite academic ideas and the real-world experiences of our friends in the blue-collar American heartland. We’re breaking down the walls of polarization and shining a light on the urgent need for reforms in how funding is distributed in academia. It’s all about ensuring freedom, preventing censorship, and fostering an environment where open and free scientific discourse can thrive!

We’ll talk about the clash that occurred during the pandemic, where debate was stifled and trust in our institutions was shaken. George and I discussed how we can rebuild that trust through truth, civil discourse, and an unwavering commitment to progress. In part inspired by the work I’ve been doing with Braver Angels, Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, we touch briefly on an event that will be taking place at Stanford University in the fall, and the healing that it is sure to inspire.

If you’re passionate about the truth, eager for reform, and ready to join a conversation that’s crucial for the future of our society, this episode is for you! So, buckle up and get ready for another episode you won’t want to miss! 

Takeaways
 

• Academic freedom and academic censorship are important topics to explore, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The clash between elite academic ideas and the real-world experiences of blue-collar workers highlights the need for open and robust debate.
• Reform is needed in the way funding is distributed in academia to ensure academic freedom and prevent censorship.
• Trust and truth are essential in rebuilding public trust in institutions, and civil discourse is crucial in facilitating progress and finding solutions.

Who is Dr. George Tidmarsh?

Dr. Tidmarsh received M.D. and Ph.D. from Stanford University, where he also completed fellowship training in Pediatric Oncology and Neonatology and is currently Adjunct Faculty of Pediatrics and Neonatology. He served as clinical faculty at Stanford for a number of years after fellowship prior to devoting his full time to clinical research and development in order to bring new treatments through the FDA approval process. Dr. Tidmarsh was President, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and a Director of La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company from January 2012 until November 2019. While at La Jolla, Dr. Tidmarsh helped discover the use of angiotensin II for the treatment of shock and led all aspects of the development including approval by the US FDA and the EMA for the treatment of patients suffering from distributive shock. He also led the development of artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria, now pending action for potential approval at the FDA. Dr. Tidmarsh has over 30 years of experience in biotechnology, including the successful clinical development of three FDA-approved drugs. He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Pharma, Inc., a company he founded in 2005. While at Horizon, he led all aspects of development of Duexis, which was approved by the FDA for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. He also founded Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and held senior positions at Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc. (acquired by GlaxoSmithKline) and SEQUUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (acquired by Johnson & Johnson). While at Coulter and SEQUUS, Dr. Tidmarsh led the clinical development of BEXXAR and Doxil, respectively, two FDA-approved anti-cancer agents.

Learn more about and connect with Dr. George F. Tidmarsh online: 

Website: Dr. George Tidmarsh - Stanford

LinkedIn: George-F-Tidmarsh

 

What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!

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