On Dec 2, 2004, at 2:24 PM, John Walsh wrote:
John Chambers writes:
Hmmm ... I see conflicting evidence here. If he's an academic, he should be completely at home with no-holds-barred discussions. Things like misattribution of quotes, quoting out of context, and blatant misrepresentation of others' ideas are the order of the day in most of academia, and especially in fields such as archaeology.
Perhaps it's because he's still working on a degree. Students tend to be
somewhat isolated from this kind of academic banter, in my experience at least
(except, of course, from their thesis advisor and from other students). This is
partly because potting students is not sporting, and partly because, once they
get a paying job, they tend to put on weight and slow down, and become easier
targets.
Even then, it all depends on the context. Take a typical innocent
everyday academic remark, such as "I've carefully considered your position, and
for reasons A, B, and C, I've decided it has no merit whatsoever." When said in
conversation in an office in front of a blackboard, it means, "I'm skeptical.
Please convince me you are right, after all. A, B, and C may help." However, the
same statement published in an academic journal means "I want to have a lifelong
feud with you."
Forget all of that. Making big bucks in the real world is far more interesting. Allows me to afford my real life, which is playing music.
To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
