9 Replies to “Welcome to the party, pal!”

  1. academia is just another form of tribalism

    I found out about that soon after I started grad studies more than 40 years ago. I thought it was just isolated to the department I was in, but, since then, I became convinced that the tribalism was actually part of the academic system.

  2. I think many academics are very insecure, and it manifests in petty backbiting and tribal behaviour. Some in academia are not even that smart.

    1. I believe it as Henry Kissinger, a former academic himself, who said that the reason that academic politics are so vicious is because the stakes are so small.

      And, yes, academics are insecure. I saw that myself both while I was a grad student and while I taught at Armpit College. However, being of strong mind and strong will could be hazardous to one’s career prospects.

    2. That’s because all too many of them understand in their heart of hearts that they’re credentialed but not particularly capable, or intelligent.

      1. That’s because all too many of them understand in their heart of hearts that they’re credentialed but not particularly capable, or intelligent.

        Many of my undergrad professors, at least the ones in my department, had either worked in industry or worked with it. They were good at what they did. Mind you, that was well over 40 years ago when that was considered an asset.

        As for the ones I had in grad school, I wasn’t always so sure. Many of the younger ones in the department where I worked on my last 2 degrees never worked in the field or a design office nor did they ever set foot on a shop floor.

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