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His title at Oxford was 'Professor', and he was addressed as 'Tony'. He made incoming DPhil (PhD) students a cup of tea individually in his office at the Compu
by robotresearcher 8mo ago
His title at Oxford was 'Professor', and he was addressed as 'Tony'.
He made incoming DPhil (PhD) students a cup of tea individually in his office at the Computing Laboratory. It was a small group, but still I appreciated this personal touch.
- tialaramex 8mo agoI never met Tony, but I liked his work. I'm not much of a one for tea, but I don't think either of my PhD supervisors ever bought me a drink - I didn't finish (got cancer, I'm fine now†, some cancers are very curable, but frankly I was struggling anyway so it was a good excuse to quit) and I'm sure it's traditional to buy something a bit harder than a cup of tea if you pass, but I didn't get that far. Anyway my point here was just a PSA that honorary degrees "don't count". If somebody only has an honorary doctorate but insists on being called "Doctor" they're an asshole. In fact, even outside University I know a lot of MDs and PhDs and in most contexts if they insist on the title "Doctor" they're an asshole even though they're entitled. † Well not fine, I'm old but I think that's an inevitable side effect of surviving so the alternative was worse.
- BitsAndObjects 8mo agoThere's having An honorary degree... and then there's having 6 of them plus numerous other awards, and all the achievements to back them up :) Regardless, I've met people with only honorary doctorates, and it's a mixed bag when it comes to preferred titles. Often, though, the ones that really care, soon acquire a 'superior' title anyway, so it ends up becoming a moot point.
- robotresearcher 8mo agoYou’re right. And ‘Professor’ comes and goes with the job, independent of degrees held.