[Air-l] Reactions to PhD blogs at conference

[Denise N. Rall]

Mary and other AIR-ers -

I was probably one of the 'strong emoters' in the room
(totally agree with the mosh pit atmosphere).

First of all some of the presentations were 'tongue in
cheek' as I am sure (as a 'good' audience member) I am
expected to chortle a bit when I see in a quite
academic Roman-styled logo in 50 point letters stating
"Bitch Ph.D." I wasn't sure what was funnier - the
sentiment or the font.

Laughter for me contained a series of emotions, a bit
of envy (why didn't I think of that myself) along with
a bit of sorrow (is this what we are reduced to in
academic life?).

Likewise how can I not laugh at blog that includes an
entry called "Word count obsession"?  Let's note that
laughter denotes a number of functions - empathy (been
there, done that) - chagrin (again, why didn't I think
of that) and the laughter of 'recognition' - (that's
me up there), and further laughter when the author
cried out, "it's not funny!" (it IS funny, since most
phd students HAVE been there).

Ok, perhaps not helpful. But laughter as I heard it
did not connote hostility as much as shock,
recognition, empathy and amusement.

My further comments I will send off list.

Thoroughly enjoyed the conference.  DNR



Denise N. Rall, PhD thesis submitted, School of Environ. Science,
Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480 AUSTRALIA
Tuesdays: Room T2.17, +61 (0)2 6620 3577 or Mobile 0427 245 497
http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/rsm/staff/pages/drall/
Virtual member, Cybermetrics Group, University of Wolverhampton, UK
http://cybermetrics.wlv.ac.uk/index.html

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