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by whymauri 1468 days ago
The closer I got to my PIs and their friends/enemies in various academic departments, the more I realized that university departmental politics are more stereotypically 'high school drama' than anything I actually experienced in high school! My god, professors can be so petty.

Don't consult a self-perceived expert on a field on a project you're considering? Uninvited from their July 4th BBQ.

Standing up for a junior tenure-track faculty who a senior person doesn't like? Have fun getting work done while scheduled to teach the 800 person remedial chemistry class, disparagingly called 'chemistry for artists.'

Need some equipment but you forgot to wish me happy birthday? Sorry, unforeseen maintenance lol. Oh please.

2 comments

As has been attributed to Sayre: "Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low."
So true, lol. Stoner by John Williams does a good job of showing this.
Great novel.