Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
lemire.me
Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
1–10 of 55 posts
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#2How to get the best out of people is a millennial long question. Egyptians used whips and slaves, we have been using money and propaganda lately, but everyone uses something that may or may not be the most optimal method. The issue is that people are individual and respond differently each time you ask them. My condolences on the loss of life (I too have felt like the world was asking far too much of me and I had no way out) but suicide is rarely the answer. Quitting your job, going to live in Montana for a while, having far too many beers, considering that everyone around you is an asshole, those are good options. And yes, I know it is real hard to climb out of those dark mental holes and realize this, but damnit you have to try.
If there was 2 things I wish the whole world could know, truly know deep down, they would be that you personally are worth all the stars in the heavens, all the grain in the fields, all the water in the oceans, and that everyone else is worth exactly the same amount; that we are all priceless.
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#3Life is an 'anxiety machine.'
Claiming academia killed this specific man is in extremely bad taste. And if we're speaking in generalities, I'd need to see evidence that academic positions correlate with higher rates of suicide.
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#4Going into academia seems like the dumbest thing only smartest people do.
Jump into a job market where you compete against the bright and ambitious individuals who will do everything to out-work you to fight for a small prize pool.
The ending will most likely not be a happy one.
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#5My girlfriend is getting her PhD. We are planning a vacation right now. She works in a lab as a researcher, which is not a "real job" since she's getting her PhD. There are no specific regulations for vacation time, or anything for that matter. However, she's unsure how long she can take for vacation, and unsure whether she should ask her P.I. This is an example of the irony of academia.
On one hand, the lack of clear policies and regulations governing academia is one of its greatest advantages, because it gives your mind space to explore, and expands creative freedom. If you want to work from 5pm - 3am, nobody will stop you. Ultimately you work for your own advancement, set your own goals, and plan your own schedule.
On the other hand, when other people are involved, especially those with "seniority" like P.I.'s and advisors, it's no longer obvious what decisions you should make. You need to consider more than just yourself, but the lack of regulation creates ambiguity in the "politics" of academia. How do you balance the expectations of those with some power over you, with the expectations you have of yourself? I imagine this question is a source of pressure for many academics, especially those who are extrinsically motivated.
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#6I didn't stay in formal education beyond high school so I can't really comment, but from that article:
"Unfortunately, some of his colleagues felt that he did not secure sufficiently large research grants. So he was to be fired."
However, Imperial College' statement on his passing claims otherwise:
"Contrary to claims appearing on the internet, Professor Grimm’s work was not under formal review nor had he been given any notice of dismissal."
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcolleg...
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#7My girlfriend is getting her PhD. We are planning a vacation right now. She works in a lab as a researcher, which is not a "real job" since she's getting her PhD. There are no specific regulations for vacation time, or anything for that matter. However, she's unsure how long she can take for vacation, and unsure whether she should ask her P.I. This is an example of the irony of academia. On one hand, the lack of clea…
"I'm planning on taking a vacation from DD/MM to DD'/MM'. Are there any conflicts in the lab for that time period?". If the answer is no, she can put it on the shared calendar and have her mind at peace. If he says yes, then you can move the vacation to before/after the conflicts. (If the PI is formally opposed to any vacation, then it's a larger problem)
I used to be a PhD student (although I dropped out), so I know the ironies of academia too well. But for situations like this, clear communication in advance solves 99% of problems (and this is not specific to academia).
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#8"There is no trace of evidence that you can get the best out of people at high-level tasks through pressure and competition. The opposite is true. Worried people get dumber. They may be faster at carrying rocks… but they do not get smarter."
That last sentence is a great turn of phrase.
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#9I didn't stay in formal education beyond high school so I can't really comment, but from that article: "Unfortunately, some of his colleagues felt that he did not secure sufficiently large research grants. So he was to be fired." However, Imperial College' statement on his passing claims otherwise: "Contrary to claims appearing on the internet, Professor Grimm’s work was not under formal review nor had he been given…
More fully:
"Contrary to claims appearing on the internet, Professor Grimm’s work was not under formal review nor had he been given any notice of dismissal. It is standard practice at Imperial to conduct both informal and formal performance management. Professor Grimm’s line manager met with him on a number of occasions to see how the College could help him to develop more competitive grant applications, for example through internal peer-review, collaborations and letters of support. Discussions included talking about the best place for him to do his science, both inside Imperial and outside, and, with Professor Grimm’s permission, his line manager made enquiries about opportunities on his behalf."
So this may still be a situation of pressure being brought to bear, just in some manner other than via formal review.
Re: Academia as an ‘anxiety machine’
#10My girlfriend is getting her PhD. We are planning a vacation right now. She works in a lab as a researcher, which is not a "real job" since she's getting her PhD. There are no specific regulations for vacation time, or anything for that matter. However, she's unsure how long she can take for vacation, and unsure whether she should ask her P.I. This is an example of the irony of academia. On one hand, the lack of clea…
Not to pick on your girlfriend but I've seen a variant of this phrase so often that I'm kind of baffled:
"the lack of clear policies and regulations governing academia is one of its greatest advantages, because it gives your mind space to explore, and expands creative freedom."
Are the folks in academia so creatively stunted that they can't find freedom outside of the ivory tower?
It seems like such a silly argument.