Important Philosophical Point

"Do-do-do-do-do-do-do a-ah"
-2raumwohnung

My Important Philosophical Point receives an assist from the 2raumwohnung song, "Es wird Morgen," I've quoted above. The point is not really philosophical at all: why quote a pop song, unless it's incredibly famous, before making a serious point? First, if only a select few people know it, the rest of your readers are apt to skip over it. Second, maybe that was the point, since you're trying to seem cool. It's not cool, it's lame. Third, if it's a song, the words have a lot less meaning without the music. And a related Fourth, most pop song lyrics are pretty insipid without the music. That's the point of the t-shirt that follows up serious, existential statements like "To be or not to be" with "Do-be-do-be-do -Sinatra."

So cut it out.

Ms. Mentor's advice

I just got done reading a bunch of advice columns by Ms. Mentor, who answers questions from academics in quandries. Most of those who write her are on or are about to be on the job market, are early in their first jobs, or about to go up for tenure. (There are some regular old grad students thrown in for good measure, facing issues like sexual advances from professors, choosing a diss. director, etc.) Most of the advice boils down to: don't whine, bite your tongue, and play the game. Sage advice for me, currently in a visiting job and about to apply for tenure-track positions.

So, no whining from me. I'll offer just a sampling of her answers to give an impression of the career I've chosen, which, in fact, I do love:

Question: I've always done my homework and gotten A's through 25 years of school, spent every second at my desk, taught herds of students, attended every meeting ever called, published half a hundred articles, and finally have tenure. Is it now safe to eat junk food, sign up for match.com, and watch Desperate Housewives?

Answer: Yes.

Ray and Sean