Critics are upset that the University of Manchester is
allowing what they call a PhD in masturbation.
What do I mean by that?
Well, there is a student working toward a PhD.
His name is Carl Anderson and
apparently some people are not pleased with what his research entails.
Anderson was researching the show to genre of Japanese comic
books which center around pre pubescent and
pubescent male characters depicted in a suggestive or erotic manner.
I'm just gonna stop real quick and say I think it's weird, but I'll continue.
In the abstract for this project, which has been published by the university.
Anderson decided he wanted to understand how individuals experience
sexual pleasure when reading shota, okay, great.
So, in order to do this, Carl actually spent three months masturbating
to the comic book and taking detailed notes of his thoughts and feelings.
The notes got to do the notes >> Right afterwards, hold on now
>> The notes sticky sometimes, but
he manages to get through it.
>> [LAUGH] >> He says, quote, I happen to live alone
during this experiment >> Really [INAUDIBLE]
>> And I had newly become single after
a long relationship.
These factors probably contributed to my willingness and
eagerness to explore this method.
Now, politicians and members of the public were outraged
after reading about this PhD research.
Conservative MP Neil O'Brien even took a took particular offense to this and
said, why should hardworking taxpayers in my constituency have to pay for
an academic to write about his experiences masturbating to Japanese porn [LAUGH].
So now the university is re evaluating the research.
University of Manchester spokesperson said, the recent publication in
qualitative research of the work of a student now registered for
a PhD has raised significant concerns and complaints,
which we are taking very seriously.
We are currently undertaking a detailed investigation into all aspects of their
work, the processes around it and other questions raised.
It is very important that we look at the issues in depth, Genk thought.
>> Okay, at first I thought they were saying that it was important for
him to look at those issues in depth and mission accomplished.
But no, there's reevaluating.
I get and so, look, is it absurd, of course, it's absurd.
But who's the judge?
Well, there's little people to judge professors that are gonna say yes,
you get a PhD or yes, it makes sense to do a PhD.
I think I would have said no,
[LAUGH] Right,like don't I wouldn't go in that direction.
It doesn't seem that helpful.
Afterwards I took notes.
That's not good research.
What is that?
>> Yeah, look, we haven't read his research.
I don't know if there's value to it.
I feel uncomfortable judging one way or the other without having read it.
But with that said, I can understand why people would be put off by this,
but I also would caution anyone, I do see this as a slippery slope, right?
Because you do have a board of experts who
determine like they sign off on the research.
They sign off on whether or
not the PhD candidate can move forward with what they want to research.
I would leave it to them.
I'm less interested in having Rando conservative MPs,
make decisions about what someone should or shouldn't be able to research.
>> Well, we actually are curious what you think.
So, we actually have a poll on this.
No pun intended, is it okay to spend public money on a PhD candidate
who masturbates as part of his research?
Yes or no?
>> Go to T Y T dot com slash polls to participate in that poll
>> T Y T dot com slash polls, look,
at the end of the day, I'm with Anna.
Let him go.
He probably apparently already let it go.
But, okay, it's, I wouldn't do it.
Obviously not even close, but I'm gonna let the experts decide.
I'm not, government officials shouldn't be interfering with research,
no matter how absurd it sounds to us.
>> Poor wanker.
>> Well, he took a shot at it.