I once heard a story about Andy Warhol. It concerned a number of paintings, which appeared on the art scene and which critics all agreed were amongst the finest pieces he’d ever produced. When Warhol himself saw them, so the story goes, he claimed he’d never set eyes on them before and they were nothing to do with him. The critics, however, were undaunted and claimed that Warhol was either being mischievous or that he was simply mistaken and the paintings remain, to this day, attributed to the artist.
Now, on the one hand, you have to admire their balls; but on the other, you have to say. ‘What the f***!’
I recalled this tale when a family member recently received a comment on a dissertation, which served as a reminder (if one were needed) that, in certain respects, academia has a great way to go before it can be admitted into the real world. Now, I know academics have long felt like a breed apart and I have to say, I have heard of this sort of thing elsewhere – particularly in music - but it, nevertheless, brings one up short. Having decided to research the works of a well-respected American author, the student made contact with said author and asked if they would assist by answering a number of questions. The author graciously agreed and the student received a number of short, yet thoughtful and informative replies, which were duly referenced in the dissertation.
Back came the comment from the assessor, that the student was taking the author too much at their word and that, whatever the author thought, the real motives behind the work were not as the author believed but what critics of the works had already shown and wondered that the student had not realised this to be the case.
Humility has never been much of a concern for academics but one wonders, on hearing stories like this, the extent to which arrogance is an essential feature of their job descriptions.
Now, on the one hand, you have to admire their balls; but on the other, you have to say. ‘What the f***!’
I recalled this tale when a family member recently received a comment on a dissertation, which served as a reminder (if one were needed) that, in certain respects, academia has a great way to go before it can be admitted into the real world. Now, I know academics have long felt like a breed apart and I have to say, I have heard of this sort of thing elsewhere – particularly in music - but it, nevertheless, brings one up short. Having decided to research the works of a well-respected American author, the student made contact with said author and asked if they would assist by answering a number of questions. The author graciously agreed and the student received a number of short, yet thoughtful and informative replies, which were duly referenced in the dissertation.
Back came the comment from the assessor, that the student was taking the author too much at their word and that, whatever the author thought, the real motives behind the work were not as the author believed but what critics of the works had already shown and wondered that the student had not realised this to be the case.
Humility has never been much of a concern for academics but one wonders, on hearing stories like this, the extent to which arrogance is an essential feature of their job descriptions.
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