Study Finds Overheard At UChicago Most Calm, Neutral Discussion Forum

By Nico Aldape

May 2, 2016

A new University of Chicago Department of Sociology study has found that the Facebook group “Overheard at UChicago” is, in fact, the University’s most neutral, objective group discussion forum.

. “This conclusion appears to confirm my team’s research and the anecdotes I hear from students,” said professor and study conductor Melissa Mahrez. “Given any future instance of social media outrage, the study shows it will be handled quietly and maturely.”

With class and house pages typically dominated by requests for apartment sublets, plugging of RSO events, and the gleeful shitposting of rising first-years before matriculation, Overheard’s frequent use as a forum for tense issues, both campus and beyond, made it the perfect campus Internet community to explore. Carried out earlier this year, the study made waves as soon as it started. Given the typical nature of the Internet in general, the results took many by surprise— – except Mahrez.

“One would expect red herrings, ad hominem attacks, and poorly channeled outrage to reduce both the quality of one’s Internet experience and capacity for rational discussion,” explained Mahrez. “Instead, we found that these three worked in tandem as a ‘mutually assured destruction’ and actually convinced everyone to be nice to each other.”

Undergraduate sStudents at the University, many of whom are active on Overheard at UChicago, had a variety of reactions to the study, especially to the finding Mahrez outlined.

“I normally go on Overheard to see if there are any new Dean Boyer sightings or novel expressions of misery, but watching the arguments is really cool too!” exclaimed second-year Jordan Spitzer. “It’s a miracle how they remain objective and focused for at least 20 minutes or so – even Sosc discussion doesn’t stay on topic for that long.”

Lastly, the administration seemed to be pleased with the results of the study.

“This study showcases the positive steps this administration has taken to protect a free exchange of ideas and intellectual discourse,” readsaid a statement from Dean of the College John W. Boyer in a statement released today. “In Democracy in America, Tocqueville wrote that equality of opportunity was fundamental to any functioning society. With the unrestrained opportunity to speak one’s mind on a free social network behind a wall of anonymity, Overheard at UChicago certainly strives toward Tocqueville’s and the administration’s ideals.”