The only thing which could have topped the happiness, would have been an interview by Richard Armitage about King Richard III, but though it was intended, so far did not happen.
So I watch the news, look out for RA mentions and hope for the best ;o)
Today, on my search for King Richard news, I found this article. As it so well meets other development right now, one even in fandom which has caused me to make myself a bit scarce here, it was able to raise my full attention.
It expresses such typical, such destructive, uncreative and contra-effective behaviour, that it totally gets my opposition. I fight this behaviour all my life. I see it, but mostly must observe it and this behaviour once when started can't be made undone or the things repaired it has destroyed. The creatives only can collect the remains which this destructive behaviour left intact - which at the end mostly are not many.
I never understood and most likely never will, what makes this behaviour such a daily occurrence and so well accepted in society, that all journalists readily apply it, politicians make decisions based on their lobbyists acting under this maxime, colleagues, choir buddies, family and friends find it totally acceptable and do not even think about it twice,
though it destroys everything in its vicinity, creations, immense amounts of work, friendships, relationships, happiness, ...
If it is the battle of the Cities, the now arising battle of Universities or the existing, silent battle inside fandom.
I don't support it, as I support real effort and work, but not those wanting to shine based on the work of others.
I know that makes me a lonely fighter against things others do not even recognize as a problem. But I won't willingly support the destruction of happiness and creativity, which are the main motivators for every single step of my life.
I am so happy that one person can instil creativity and motivate me to ever more effort in my life.
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| RA even sitting gives the impression of overflowing creativity. (Source: RANet.com) |
Thank you, Mr. Armitage!!!
It has been an exciting time - and you must be exhausted, in a good way! Take care.
ReplyDeleteI work in the academic world (not as an academic!), and let me say, that the critical voices are pretty mild really, compared to what sometimes goes on. But I have faith that the positive will prevail.
I'm also still hoping we'll hear from RA soon!
Oh yes, Fabolaktuko ;o)
DeleteI am glad that there are not many opposing the UoL right now. They should add, not try to tear down. There is enough work for everyone, if one would see it.
The results give me so much hope that things are and become reachable. That is the great joy I take away from the results around King Richard III.
I hope RA will find time to speak about his view and experiences around this wonderful research in Leicester and hopefully also about his plans for a - soon to be made - film ;o) [Did I mention that I am notoriously impatient ;o) and can't wait for the film?]
I think one aspect of this issue is that the universities I've worked in or observed (U.S., UK, Germany) are very much under pressure right now to "make their research pay." The public perception in much of the West is that universities are a dead weight on the economy. And a lot of professors, particularly those in public institutions, feel like every time we turn around we're being criticized for being parasitical. So there are conflicting impulses -- on the one hand, as you note, jealousy is involved. This is a basically solid research team, albeit one with quite a few outsiders, that has presented solid results -- in a way, this is a model for how to do it and Leicester has really hit the jackpot. On the other hand, scholars want to do our work well and honestly, and this doesn't always happen when outside forces are involved. It's fair to question results that have not been subject to peer review (although that process is also, quite frankly, very politicaly) and frustrating to think that the major use the public has for one as a historian is as a sort of historical tour guide. These archaeological things are particularly frustrating because what's important or significant to a scholar is not always what might be of interest to the public. Leicester bet on a project that would be of high interest to the public -- and won. Meanwhile plenty of worthwhile projects that are less easily relatable starve on the vine ...
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Servetus.
DeleteI did not want to make it sound like a criticism of the University, as I understand that they are under pressure, especially history. (Did get enough stupid comments about my studying history ;o). I just would rather like them to take up the arguments professionally. Take the research results, examine them and, if they see them differently, bring professional arguments. But not at a time, when they did not even see or research the details, but just dismiss the results by the UoL, because they want a part of the publicity and only can get that by negative comments, as those raise the attention of the journalists.
It is such a predictable behaviour and one I just can't stand.
Such position is unprofessional and not worth reading in my opinion and even contributes to bring those sciences the bad reputation they fight so much against. That makes the results so 'unreliable' for the public, that they lose interest in them. Just ask the right researcher to give you the argument you like.
Politicians always do that with history and only take the parts they like. That is not history, but self-justification.
I unfortunately always was interested in the starving ends of researches ;o) Or rather interested in things at the wrong time.
Hi CD,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your timely essay. I agree with UL, they had to give a press conference on the KR3 findings, or they would have "leaked in a half baked way" via the peer review process.
I was so impressed with the deliberate and detailed presentation of the KR3 findings. Kudos to UL and everyone involved!
Cheers! Grati;->
Hello Grati!
DeleteYes, I also think the UoL did not have any other choice but to make the results public. Articles already started to appear and speculate before the press conference. Any longer and they would not have been able to hold back the results taking on their own life in the press who would have speculated wildly and unearthed further leak holes.
Best wishes,
CD ;o)