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Intellectual Freedom (media.piefed.zip)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/science_memes@mander.xyz
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Image: “The Evolution of Intellectual Freedom” — a comic strip by Jorge Cham (PHD Comics, © 2011) A horizontal timeline with an upward-pointing Y-axis (implying increasing freedom) and a rightward X-axis (implying career progression). Six stages of academic life are illustrated with cartoon figures and speech bubbles, reading left to right: 1. Before Grad School — An enthusiastic young person in a green t-shirt raises one finger triumphantly, declaring: “I’m going to research whatever I want!” 2. Grad Student — A hunched figure sits stressed at a computer, mumbling: “I’m going to research whatever my professor wants!” 3. Assistant Professor — A harried woman in a purple dress rushes past clutching papers, saying: “I’m going to research whatever my tenure committee wants!” 4. Tenured Professor — An older bearded man relaxes comfortably in a large armchair, announcing: “I’m going to research whatever my grant committee wants!” 5. Emeritus Professor — A very elderly hunched figure with a walking stick raises a finger hopefully, beginning: “I’m going to research whatever I-” 6. A gravestone — Inscribed with “RIP” and the epitaph: “Research In Peace” — cutting off the Emeritus Professor mid-sentence. The comic’s dark punchline: intellectual freedom never actually arrives.
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[–] 150 points 5 months ago (3 children)

That was my father.

At 80 he went to teaching only one class so he could keep his office and spend the rest of his time doing what he wanted.

At 90 he finally retired. He wrote dozens or articles and finally left us in Jan this year at 92. The last day he was alive, he dictated a book review to me he had promised to a journal. His final wish, that I type it up and send it in for him and let them know he would not be able to take on any more book reviews.

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  • [–] 34 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    I hope this doesn't come off as callous:

    What an epic mic drop of your father's. That's like something out of a novel/film.

    He sounds like a super hoopy frood. Sorry for your loss.

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  • [–] 26 points 5 months ago

    Thank you.

    He was one of the most disciplined people I've ever known. He rarely complained about anything. He spent every minute he could doing what he loved, researching and publishing. He wrote several books include an award winner. He won a Lifetime Achievement award from a prestigious body in his field at 84. He just kept going. At 86 he had nearly lost his eyesight but a doctor was able to restore partial vision, enough for him to continue his work and I never saw him happier. He did what he loved until his last waking moments. Then he closed his eyes and went to sleep, I imagine finally able to relax, all his commitments settled. I hope I get to go out the same way.

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