by syaffolee

Memes and Links

Booking Through Thursday: Statistics

There was a widely bruited-about statistic reported last week, stating that 1 in 4 Americans did not read a single book last year. Clearly, we don’t fall into that category, but…how many of our friends do? Do you have friends/family who read as much as you do? Or are you the only person you know who has a serious reading habit?

Sure, but that statistic also means that 75% of Americans did read a book.

I think everyone I know reads, even if it was just textbooks and journal papers. In a university setting, what would you expect? But I couldn’t really give a sure answer–because I haven’t talked about books with everyone. I had a roommate once who was a pretty avid reader, more so than me probably. I had to carve out time to do reading and writing. She was just a reader, not a writer.

As for my fellow grad students, I’m sort of surprised most of them (the ones I know anyway) do not read for pleasure. Many seem to prefer vegging out in front of the TV (or the local beer garden) after toiling in lab rather than doing some reading which would require a few brain cells. If they do read for pleasure, it’s usually science/science-related books or fantasy. Or at least that’s what they say they read.

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The Thursday Threesome: Over the Rainbow

Onesome: “Over– the Rainbow” Has someone ‘Somewhere’ done the song better than Judy Garland did in the movie? …or does she still ‘own’ it in your opinion?

I suppose I’m a bit of a purist. I still prefer the Garland version.

Twosome: the– best all time album in your collection? …or one you’d like to have? Sure, the Go-Gos count, but hey…

Pablo Casals’ version of Bach’s Cello Suites.

Threesome: Rainbow”?– As sung by Billy Ray Cyrus? (Yes, on his latest album.) Who has done the best “cover” of a song you like to listen to? You know, better than the original artist…

I can’t really think of one.

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You’re not a fraud, and you are valued (just not where you are now). Sometimes I’m afraid of voicing any of my doubts. If I start doubting myself, wouldn’t others start doubting me as well? Anyways, I want to point out that maybe the not-so-great conditions in academia might just be perpetuated by the thinking that everyone at a university values learning so highly that it doesn’t matter what they get paid. And if you say that you don’t care a whit for money–well guess what–of course you’re going to be paid in pretzels.