tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post2012923220909039392..comments2024-03-12T03:41:35.856-04:00Comments on From Grad School to Happiness: Reason I'm Leaving #8: Endless Criticism and the Quest for "Perfection"JChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468758055878600762noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-5766407196190601652017-12-18T10:50:24.102-05:002017-12-18T10:50:24.102-05:00I have just found this post by doing a Google sear...I have just found this post by doing a Google search with the keywords "criticism of academia," for very much the same reasons explained on your blog. Unfortunately, this is but my first semester in my PhD program and am discovering EXACTLY what you have described is the issue. In my lifetime, I have met many an idiot with a PhD, and now I know why. Also, the frustration goes beyond the criticism and unrealistic expectations to the fact that I find that such a model does little, if anything, to solve real-world problems. I'm in a program that has some critical global issues to contend with, and in my naive mind I thought I would somehow use what I can get out of the program (presumably "knowledge") to actually help solve or mitigate some of the problems. I now realize that academia is not interested in such things. And although this is my perspective, I stand by it using no reference to any academic "elite."PhD studenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06388740462431646771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3282788798018689873.post-4216775324548208912014-01-29T11:37:28.905-05:002014-01-29T11:37:28.905-05:00Congrats on deciding what you want to do and going...Congrats on deciding what you want to do and going for it. AND for deciding that you are going to publish that paper because it is important and needs to be out there.<br /><br />That said, I am saddened that you have not been advised better and that you and other graduate students get the impression that you are expected to address every single piece of criticism and create a perfect piece of work that meets the needs of all potential readers. I have no doubt that there are tenured and tenure-track people who believe that but I suspect those are the ones who are most stressed and struggling.<br /><br />The key to the transition from student to academic is developing the ability to make your own decisions and to use criticism to improve your scholarship. That means taking what helps and ignoring what misses the point. The only thing you really need to do with criticism that misses the point is ask yourself whether your point could be clearer or whether this person wants to see what he wants to see regardless. <br /><br />This post is evidence that you've made that transition. And that transition in how you deal with criticism will serve you well wherever you end up. I wish you well in the search for meaningful work. You clearly have a lot to offer.JoVEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16680602039278597976noreply@blogger.com