Thread by @mayamikdashi

1/ I couldn't get Hassan #Diab's "my story" out of my head- a wonder of narcissism not only in content, but bc he PUBLISHED it. What follows are some highlights & thoughts on what kind of man would ever think this was a good idea
hassandiab.com/my-story/#

#Lebanon #حسان_دياب

2/ Let's start at the beginning, in the first paragraph:
"In a very strange clairvoyant way, I always felt since my early school years that I would be successful in whatever I aspire for"

I'm not sure this deserves a comment other than WOW.

3/A few sentences down, #diab writes ⬇️. Its' interesting that he seems to take his ability to escape the civil war and pursue his education as a personal and unique achievement, rather than as a privilege that very few had. Most of "his peers" lived through a devastating war

4/ he's a mix of Joan of Arc, George W Bush, (whom God also accompanies), & a genetic determinist believing in innate/ born superiority. "Usually, knowledge & experience among other aspects lead to wisdom. However, I was blessed with an innate sense of wisdom from my early years

5/midway, this gem:
"An additional attribute that facilitated my success is that I remained wise enough never to let my success get to my head or my failure get to my heart"

6/ translation: my WISDOM kept me humble enough despite ALL OF THIS SUCCESS to write and SHARE this with you all (You're welcome). SO WISE AND HUMBLE that I never allowed failure be a moment of self reflection and growth.
#Lebanon #حسان_دياب

7/"So far, I have accumulated over 600 citations, with an h-index of 11 and an i10-index of 13."

FYI, I also have an H-index of 11 & an i10 index of 13 --These metrics are bullshit and do not make me fit to be the Prime Minister of a country, even if i am a Sunni on paper 🇱🇧

8/"I was promoted to Professor of Computer Engineering at AUB at the age of 38 and was one of the youngest full Professors at the University."

That IS a big achievement, and it is a GENDERED achievement. for ex, was #Diab responsible for the labor of his household at that time?

9/Feminist scholars underscore this point: male academics advance faster in part bc they are not as burdened by the demands of reproducing a household nor judged by that standard, EVEN if someone is single. Even in a 2 academic household the labor is not equal and is gendered

10/ "I have been described as an entrepreneur, innovator, and an academic leader in higher education. "

Who describes you this way? Who, where, and in what context? WHY WOULD YOU THINK THIS IMPORTANT TO THE WORLD AND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY EYES??!!!

11/ my favorite: While working (sorry, LEADING!) at a private University in Oman, #Diab didnt allow students to wear the hijab while at university. he repeats sexist islamophobic trope that when a woman veils she is part of an anonymous mass with no distinguishing marks:

12/ & of course he has THE RIGHT to make decisions about women's bodies & religious practice. This right is a GIFT to all women in Oman bc he created a "new AMAZING environment." He says this is the "AUB spirit", but women can wear whatever the fuck they want or believe in at AUB

13/ In short, why did I read this and what kind of man would put this online and think it made him look GOOD? I'm saying "man" bc i want you to imagine a female academic saying she was touched by God and destined for greatness and fated to succeed and possesses an innate wisdom

14/ Note that there is NO DISCUSSION of anyone but his mom in the text-meaning no one at all helped him or guided him or shared his success. Also, there is NO discussion of his class status or any other form of privilege that may have given him a head start. #Diab is Ayn Rand's

15/ wet dream; a man who is all work and ego and self. Achievement is individual & a testament to the ethic of hard work that is available to anyone (So if you don't succeed its YOUR FAULT). Class, race, gender, religion-nothing matters bc its all individual genius
#Lebanon

16/ FYI, I'm sure that our politicians are also narcissists. they just haven't actually PUBLISHED EVIDENCE of it in the form of a bio on a homepage online. The End. WOW. #حسان_دياب #Diab