The Importance of Being Earnest
Terry was musing (ranting) last night about institutional values and the importance of being earnest. Looking at the people who advance in certain institutions that will remain unnamed, it seems that the primary qualification for recognition, responsibility, and grooming for higher positions is earnestness, rather than, oh, say academic brilliance or excellence. Smart skeptics are passed over or ignored while the earnest mediocre advance (having facial hair and a deep voice seems to facilitate the process as well... too bad Wifey won't let him re-grow that '70s 'stache...). Of course, the earnest and brilliant may also advance, but the brilliance is a happy side benefit, not the criterion for advancement. Could say a lot about the future direction of the institution...
Gratuitous World Cup Soccer Humor, courtesy of Joe:
posted by E. Phantzi @ 9:30 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
eek, that sounds like a fun conversation. I guess I shouldn't have shaved.
oddly enough, earnest-itude has been the topic of conversation recently at neh- now, i must confess that i may be a not-so-closeted overly earnest cheerleader who feels some sort of guilt about this fact-
BUT the comments that have circulated here (at ferrum, where they do NOT have marble stepped libraries but DO have 800 acres of beautiful land and pracitcally all new buildings) are about how it is painful to watch people be earnest (HEY I TAKE OFFENSE AT THAT ONE!) and how earnest people are entirely ineffectual...
wow- ouch-
did i miss a memo???
terry i guess you win???
obviously something is wrong with the world- cause i should have won.... feel need to compete now..
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