As we know, I aspire to work at a learned profession, in a professional atmosphere, as part of a smart and energetic team, and to have a certain degree of autonomy. That is not at all an accurate description of the academic jobs I have had, and I am pointing this out since there may … More I Might Really Become an Investigative Journalist!
Please see Patricia J. Williams on the DOE report, “A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education.” Here is an excerpt from the article, with a key quotation from the report: “Student achievement, which is inextricably connected to institutional success, must be measured by institutions on a ‘value-added’ basis that takes into … More On Academic Freedom and the Spellings Report
THEN: Person: You are the tenured person and the one with the grownup house, so you should host the department party. PZ: How novel and interesting to be in this position. Out of exoticism I will definitely host this party. Besides, it is now my duty to do so. NOW: Person: You are the tenured … More On Collegiality and Service
This is a post I know the Paper Chaser will appreciate. Job candidates, wear your jackets, and ties if applicable, no matter what anyone says! Last year one of ours did not and it was because the instructors and graduate students had told him at the arrival from airport party that it was not necessary. They said … More Why Job Candidates Should Wear Jackets
I This, believe it or not, is the best and most accurate of all online psychological tests. And our featured post for today is Jeremiah Wright for President, by Heart. Wright is in terrible trouble, as we know, because he is not in denial about what this country is doing. He has been asked to … More The Color Quiz
Another of the reasons I do not work with ‘feminist’ or Women’s Studies faculty is that so much of their energy seems to go into justifying the boorish behavior of men. “He means well,” they say, “and he is surely struggling with his behavior and attitude.” The rejoinder “Consider what he did” falls upon deaf … More White Hot
I am revising my paper on “procrastination” which has been accepted by a non-refereed journal after being rejected by one competitive refereed one and one non-competitive refereed one. I think it is a good paper but apparently it is hard to understand and not obedient enough. The non-refereed journal thought the same thing but I … More Al grano (On my article which says actual “procrastination” may be far less prevalent than it is rumored to be)
Now the drums and charangos begin playing and someone shouts ¡adentro! just before the flutes come in with the melody. I am dreaming of summer on the altiplano and beginning to sing the huayno, “Mujer andina, te vengo a contar / mis penas y mis dolores.” I wrote some time ago: “In this novel the … More ¡Adentro!
Here we can read FDR’s first inaugural address, delivered March 4, 1933, and hear him take the oath of office. All current candidates, and especially the Democratic ones, ought to study this text very closely. Richard Parker’s piece on FDR is very much worth reading at the present juncture in our national history. I would … More Franklin Delano Roosevelt
When I was in Reeducation I made a new friend who could not understand why I was depressed. “Why?” he would ask. “You have a lovely job, a lovely house in a nice city, interesting activities, insight, and a positive attitude. Why are you depressed?” “Because I have self hatred,” I would answer. That was … More On Getting the Right Answer
coldhearted scientist وداد 