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> Papers are the currency of academics, and all metrics for grants and careers hinge off it. It hinders cooperation and fosters a cynical environment of trying
by neuromantik8086 9y ago
> Papers are the currency of academics, and all metrics for grants and careers hinge off it. It hinders cooperation and fosters a cynical environment of trying to game the metrics to secure a future in academics.
I honestly can't contemplate who in their right mind would want "a future in academics" where academia is defined as a constant stream of metric gaming rather than actually accomplishing what you originally set out to accomplish.
- TeMPOraL 9y agoImagine it like this: maybe you joined your field (be it software or academia) with dreams of making the world better. So it shouldn't matter to you who does the problem solving, as long as the problems get solved and the world gets better in a timely manner. But then, you've found a gig solving an important problem, with ok-ish pay. And you've also found yourself with dreams of a home, a spouse, maybe children. And suddenly, it starts to matter to you whether or not you get paid, so that you can fulfill your dreams. Maybe someone else could do your important work better than you. But then you won't have money to support your family. So it's gaming time, and now you end up focusing on "a future in <your field>".
- bcoughlan 9y agoCynicism is rife in every industry and walk of life. But I think most people tell themselves "once I get the PhD... once I have a permanent position... once I have tenure..." and by that stage they're institutionalized.