[PhoenixWright]

Wow for an institution like MIT to offer a professorship to someone so clearly uncrdentialed sends a horrible signal to faculty and students. I will not talk about this persons lack of credentials because apparently that's a personal attack but I will say that academia and professorsship has everything to do with the philosophy of a subject not just its practice. I would never hire a surgeon who never went to medical school or a rocket scientist who didn't have a phD. Maybe they've achieved knowledge outside of academia, if that's the case that's where they should practice there skills, but to now have them share that unique and disorganized philosophy with students trying to learn structurally is unfair to the hard work and sacrifice those students have made to be able to get to MIT in the first place. They've earned the right to be taught and mentored by someone who has taken the same path they have and put in the time and admirable effort to study their subject academically.

Our prestigious universities like MIT are institutions that are aspirational to so many. Those who have taken the long and arduous path from student to researcher and then professors deserve the fruits of there labor. This is a slap in the face to so many people who have dedicated their lives to the advancement of knowledge.

[obmelvin]

It's also a pretty big insult to say that Ito doesn't deserve the job solely because he doesn't meet a cookie cutter list of credentials. MITs Media Lab is an amazing position and there is no way in hell they would've given the position to someone that doesn't wholey deserve it. Just look at the appointment of the head researcher for YC basic income project. New PhD student chosen over tenured professors from great institutions. Obviously, not everyone is the exception, but some people have qualities that aren't going to be noticed by someone reading an Internet article.

This sends a signal to students in the same way bill Gates sends a signal to students saying "drop out and you'll become a billionaire." you'd be an idiot to try and exactly replicate the unconventional paths of certain successful individuals. Do you really think just because he didn't follow the same path he can't help students ? Do you really think he doesn't bring things to the table that others don't? Do you really think he will stop students from getting what you mention from, I don't know, everyone else who went through the same path? Give me a break.

[edocecrous]

There's a word for this, and it's the word MIT used: "Professor of the Practice".

You wouldn't a huge portion of the university's faculty to be untrained in research or teaching -- that would be like running a software company where everyone has great ideas but no one knows how to lay down LOCs. But one person here or there who has something significant to bring to the table can be good for the institution.

> but to now have them share that unique and disorganized philosophy with students trying to learn structurally is unfair to the hard work and sacrifice those students have made to be able to get to MIT in the first place.

The author is not directly involved in leading a research group or in teaching. He's a director -- a vision/leadership role. And if he ever were to take up either teaching or advising research, he'd probably receive support and guidance from people who do have Ph.D.'s and have learned the long way around how to research/teach.

Again, that model obviously doesn't work well if you have a huge number of people like this, but one here or there can be a positive thing.