Even when it is actually wise, conventional wisdom is oppressive when misplaced, because on these occasions it interdicts further analysis and thought. Repeating it in such instances, is one of the main forms of bullying which exist in academia. Condescension is a principal attribute of this form of bullying.
Some of the more famous pieces of conventional wisdom are brilliant exercises in denial. Obvious examples are that ease of access to books is no longer necessary for research in the humanities, that “we can do research from anywhere these days,” and that all departments are equally problematic. It is often considered “professional” to believe these and related pieces of conventional wisdom.
However, the Bane which takes the cake, I am declaring Bane of the Week: the idea that if you are not suffering, you are not doing top work. I do not know the origin of this concept but I remember T.A.s and professors from the East trying to inculcate it in us where I went to school. “You look too healthy, happy, and relaxed to be smart, and yet you appear to be smart, I do not understand it.” I always wanted to respond, “If an unhappy, unhealthy look is necessary to intelligence, then you are not bright enough to justify your poor looks.”
I am opposed to the continued existence of this Bane of Virtuous Suffering. Did we not get into our fields of study because they were interesting and fun? If work has been converted into a Space of Pain, is that not a problem? Whence this dour ethic?
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 
“If an unhappy, unhealthy look is necessary to intelligence, then you are not bright enough to justify your poor looks.”
I wish I’D had this thought when I was slogging away at art school. I know of LOADS of professors (and their slavish students) who could have used that comment.
I always wanted to respond, “If an unhappy, unhealthy look is necessary to intelligence, then you are not bright enough to justify your poor looks.”
brilliant!
I have renounced competitive suffering. In graduate school, one particular individual was brilliant at the double whammy. If you were happy, you were obviously not really smart/working because you weren’t suffering enough. If you were anxious or unhappy, then she would always up the ante and I would find myself drawn into a kind of competitive complaining. It took a few years to recognize that this was not a healthy relationship. Later, when circumstances in my new job were indeed rather awful, I found it hard to distinguish between righteous anger as an appropriate response and what felt like a very unhealthy fixation on being a victim. It has taken me a while to recognize this dynamic as a Bane, and to resist the urge to participate in it.
Hahaha, I knew a ‘double whammy’ individual too! I got tired of her eventually but have only realized more recently that she was a textbook case of a verbal abuser !!! Being told to be a victim: that is why I hate my Reeducation, it claimed that this was the way not to be ‘in denial’ … it believed that having some sort of grip on your own life and destiny was to be ‘controlling’ … I think the reason I started to wonder whether the Reeducators were right was that there were so many people in academia who thought like that too. –Z
ah yes – Condescension — it works well in the professional fields also…
great post…i’d love to be the little fly on the wall while you’re telling them off — touche!
“The authority of those who teach is very often an impediment to those who desire to learn.” [Cicero]
I feel that teaching and learning should be appetizing to the palate. So, stay beautiful, happy and smart professor. 🙂
OMG that Cicero quotation is brilliant!
Thanks for this post. I’ve been trying very hard lately to find ways to recapture a little joy in my own work. Encouraging words always help.
I must admit I always struggle with how I think you are using the word bane. Actually I have never heard of it before I read it from you so I had to look it up. So am I to think that it means poison, thus meaning that as you discover this poison you expel it here in “bane of the week” form. Forgive me for being dense, but when I am “away” I am usually too far away to grasp other things.
“Condescension is a principal attribute of this form of bullying.” Totally agree. I often attempt to combat this type of condescension with thinking out incredibly insecure the person must be. If not, why must they be so damn insufferable. I have noticed lately that my loud laughter seems to throw people off. All is left is for me to point at them while I am falling out laughing.
I often write “out” when I am thinking “how.” There must be some connection.
Yes, CM – discovering the poison and expelling it! Here’s the original Bane post, with the OED meanings of the word and examples of usage:
https://profacero.wordpress.com/2006/11/27/three-banes/
I also tend to forget how insecure condescending people must be.
Yes, LP – just remember, they don’t own our work, we do! I keep reminding myself, if I stay at the center of my own work and give myself permission to use my judgment, it gets a whole lot more fun. Always remembering to take full charge, reduces drudgery!!!