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In the comments, Lee Smolin says something I agree with: A final word: where ever you go if you leave science you are likely to face the same fight, because it
by bkcooper 11y ago
In the comments, Lee Smolin says something I agree with:
A final word: where ever you go if you leave science you are likely to face the same fight, because it is in the nature of modern life and modern organizations.
I've thought before that much of the criticism of academia (which I've certainly engaged in) mostly reflects disappointment that it was ultimately not all that different from the rest of the world.
- noobermin 11y ago>I've thought before that much of the criticism of academia (which I've certainly engaged in) mostly reflects disappointment that it was ultimately not all that different from the rest of the world. I think that is the disappointment. Reference the article: I often wonder if many people in academia come from insecure childhoods where they were never the strongest or the most popular among their peers, and, having studied more than their peers, are now out for revenge. This including the author, and hell, including me. I'm going to admit: I was idealistic coming into the system, thinking that it was better that the rest of the world because the point of research was supposed to be research, that I would find people who valued cool ideas and interesting science/math/literature, etc, instead of making a quick buck. So, it isn't any different, honestly, only instead of money, the currency of academe is pride[0]. But, one can't live on pride alone, as much as academics try to convince their students. If one is to sell their soul, at least sell it for real currency instead of academic funny money (citations, papers, commitee positions, pats from higher ups). As another replier mentioned, at least work for assholes who will pay you better and in a career that has better prospects than academia. One might say that the ideal it strives for, bettering the world and/or understanding it deeply, was supposed to be what one gained in place of losing income. Without that, why should anyone participate in it? [0] http://100rsns.blogspot.com/2010/10/25-academe-is-built-on-pride.html http://100rsns.blogspot.com/2010/10/25-academe-is-built-on-p...
- jefb 11y agoMy grad school stipend was ~$500 every two weeks pre-tax. I worked like crazy. The football coach made ~250k. I now make over 5 times that.. after taxes. When I left grad school I found many of it's problems present in the corporate world; except that now, compensation is commiserate with responsibility.
- bsder 11y agoCommensurate, not commiserate. You commiserate (sympathize) with the author's plight. And now your compensation is now commensurate (measurably equal) with your responsibility.
- sporkenfang 11y agoHow long did it take you to get your degree, and how many papers did you write to do it?
- rifung 11y agoSorry I have to ask; what do you do that nets you 1.25m after taxes? And does that include shares?
- gjm11 11y agoI'm going to guess he meant 5x the $500/2w he was getting as a grad student, rather than 5x the $250k/year the football coach was getting.