The closer I got to my PIs and their friends/enemies in various academic departments, the more I realized that university departmental politics are more stereot

The closer I got to my PIs and their friends/enemies in various academic departments, the more I realized that university departmental politics are more stereotypically 'high school drama' than anything I actually experienced in high school! My god, professors can be so petty. Don't consult a self-perceived expert on a field on a project you're considering? Uninvited from their July 4th BBQ. Standing up for a junior tenure-track faculty who a senior person doesn't like? Have fun getting work done while scheduled to teach the 800 person remedial chemistry class, disparagingly called 'chemistry for artists.' Need some equipment but you forgot to wish me happy birthday? Sorry, unforeseen maintenance lol. Oh please.