[lapsock]

Really? Calling a professor by their first name is a faux pas in academia? Here in Brazil if you call a professor by "Mr. Last Name" they'll think you're a weirdo.

And you know what I think? Why does any random loser get to write an article in the nytimes these days? Back in the good old days it used to be only interesting stuff got written in there. Now I have to waste my time digging through the trash to find an interesting article once a month.

[TezlaKoil]

"Mr. LastName was my father's name! Please, call me Dr. LastName."

[Mediterraneo10]

Different countries have wildly different etiquette in academia. When I began graduate studies in Finland, it really was odd to suddenly be expected to address all faculty, from the freshest docent up to the elderly grand old man of the department, by their first names.

[tnecniv]

Depends on the context.

In the US, I've had a lot of classes where the professor tells everyone to call them by their first name (most people don't end up doing that). Also if you work more closely with them as a research assistant or TA or something, first names are common. I'd feel weird walking into the office of a professor I haven't met before and calling them by their first name, though.

[SimbaOnSteroids]

I'm in America, I never know what to call my professors, they're normally PhD/Masters candidates. Rarely have I had an actual PhD. It makes approaching them in a social/networking context damn near impossible. You can't approach them like you would a stranger because they'll recognize you from class.

[dang]

We've asked you before to stop posting unsubstantive comments to HN. (That includes unsubstantive curmudgeonly rants). If you keep doing it, we're going to have to ban your account.

[Void_]

And you have nothing better to do with your time, then write a reaction to "trash" article written by "random loser"?