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Faculty To Grad Students: Go Work 80-Hour Weeks!
New submitter Ian Paul Freeley writes "Controversy has erupted after a departmental email from faculty to astrophysics graduate students was leaked. Key tips for success in grad school include: 'However, if you informally canvass the faculty (those people for whose jobs you came here to train), most will tell you that they worked 80-100 hours/week in graduate school. No one told us to work those hours, but we enjoyed what we were doing enough to want to do so...If you find yourself thinking about astronomy and wanting to work on your research most of your waking hours, then academic research may in fact be the best career choice for you.' Reactions from astronomy blogs has ranged from disappointment to concern for the mental health of the students. It also seems that such a culture, coupled with the poor job prospects for academics, is continuing to drive talent away from the field. This has been recognized as a problem for over 15 years in the astronomy community, but little seems to have changed. Any tips for those of us looking to instigate culture change and promote healthy work-life balance?"
Astronomy students don't want reality checks, Romney doesn't want healthcare, and muslims get mad when you draw cartoons of Allah.
What's next, children don't want Santa?
When the foot seeks the place of the head, the line is crossed. Know your place. Keep your place. Be a shoe.
One out of three ain't bad.
Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
This sounds shockingly similar to the (possibly still-ongoing, I'm not sure) controversy over 36-hour shifts for doctors. The only real justification is "We did it when we were young, so today's young'uns should do it too! Never mind what the data says!"
Fortunately, black holes can't sue for malpractice.
I hate to break it to you, but the eventual application of your research (if any) will primarily help rich people make even more money.
Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
This is a well written and funny letter: http://hardass-6owwz.posterous.com/listen-up-you-whiny-bitches
yeah, come back and tell me you feel the same way after some sleep-deprived grad student overlooks a rogue asteroid that flattens your state.
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
I do! That means I'm not being treated by a resident that hasn't slept in 72 hours.
Any insufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology.
To improve work / life balance, just do all your astronomy during regular business hours.