Comments on: Daily Gut: Tenure

By: Glen

Glen — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:22:42 +0000

Is there anything Greg doesn't complain about. Jesus!

By: CBI

CBI — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:00:28 +0000

Actually, a graduate from a *good* English Lit program is well suited to a number of jobs, especially those which involve communication. But, like with any undergraduate education, it only prepares one to step in and learn after getting hired. (That's one reason why summer internships and the like are so important.)

By: davidmc

davidmc — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:01:38 +0000

Shades of gender studies of course.

By: davidmc

davidmc — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:59:31 +0000

I was thinking the same thing!

By: Darkwolf

Darkwolf — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:40:56 +0000

Indeed, we must not distract from praise training.

By: Lex

Lex — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:16:24 +0000

I've seen it, too. It'd be sadder if it wasn't so repulsive. It's like trying to help heal a drug addict who thinks they're empowered by their drugs. They should just rename the whole spiel—women studies, gender studies, NOW, etc.—"Daddy Issues, Inc."

By: Lex

Lex — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:11:55 +0000

That took me a second. Well done.

By: Darkwolf

Darkwolf — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:44:30 +0000

yes, some things are best left to nightmares.

By: Darkwolf

Darkwolf — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:33:28 +0000

*grins* I am an engineer. we know how design situations for beneficial outcomes.

By: carnaby

carnaby — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:20:24 +0000

Sorry to be a naysayer, but tenure is important. It does, unfortunately, protect a lot of kooks, but it also protects a few folks like Richard Lindzen. The following would not be possible without tenure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmGiiNQ0yHQ

He takes on MIT's president. Without tenure he'd be in a lot of trouble. With tenure, the MIT pres can sit on it, Malph.

To get tenure, you have to do good academic work and toe the line. Once you have proven yourself, you are free to do what you like, say what you like, and reach any conclusion you like. This is an excellent system, and a right that you earn with tenure.

That said, the problem here is with the gender studies program itself, not so much with tenure in the program.