>I have not been able to follow the discussion as well as I'd like to (this
>is a *very* active list), but having lurked silently as a newcomer grad
>student I've decided to speak up. Although there are many people on this
>list whose work I admire and whom I'd love to impress, I do not often
>speak like an academic nor do I feel entirely comfortable trying to "sound
>smart" so rather than make such an attempt, I will share a story or two
>with you (it seems that stories are valued here).
>
...
>my uneasiness is due to not my lack of credentials but my trying on shoes
>too large, shoes that up until a few days ago, I thought I was
>never growing into because I continue to hold myself up to others far
>more advanced than myself.
...
>. In short, I realized
>how my feet haven't stayed the same size but rather how my shoes just keep
>getting better. I wish that the professors who have taught
>me and influenced me over these past few years could have been flies on
>the wall--that they would have been proud of me and of themselves. Rather
>than trip up the way I normally do, I played the role of teacher in a way
>that reflected well on them (what a rush, living what you raed about!).
>In fact, the following day, the professor of the course (the one I wanted
>to impress) told me that I had done a wonderful job
...
>
>Boy, this is really long. I apologize for that. And in no way am
>I trying to "show what I know" (except that I know I've got a long
>way to go). Although I realize I may have been a bit naive (and still
>am), I'm sure these stories must contribute something to the issues of
>grad students, the ZPD, etc. No?
>
>Still learning and trying to fit in,
>
>Lenora de la Luna
>
>
>(see eugene, maybe it's better for some of us to not "jump right in."
>maybe i should lurk a bit more. . . .)
It strikes me that what this list is all about (what academia _should_ be
all about) is ideas. Rather than filling shoes, "sounding smart", or
impressing people whom you honestly and sincerely want not to disappoint;
speaking to and about ideas is what really makes this list "sing".
Speaking to and about ideas is something that can be done by all on the
list, each in their own way. If you notice, my 'signature' file
illustrates that my formal credentials do not overlap at all with most
other people on the list. I may be naive or insensitive to it, but I do
not recall anyone treating me poorly on the list because of this.
The other comment that I wanted to make was that I can detect a kind of
maturation in my own 'handle' on being able to participate in academic
discussions over the years. I am convinced that my shoes got better (such
as they have, I like your metaphor) by walking (participating in the
discussion of ideas) and not by waiting until I was somehow 'qualified' or
prepared to walk.
Lenora (and others)--Don't lurk, ome walk with us.
Dewey
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Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr. Phone: (208)385-3105
Professor of Physics Dept: (208)385-3775
Department of Physics/MCF421/418 Fax: (208)385-4330
Boise State University dykstrad who-is-at bsumail.idbsu.edu
1910 University Drive Boise Highlanders
Boise, ID 83725-1570 novice piper
"Physical concepts are the free creations of the human mind and
are not, however it may seem, uniquely determined by the external
world."--A. Einstein in The Evolution of Physics with L. Infeld,
1938
"Don't mistake your watermelon for the universe." --K. Amdahl in
There Are No Electrons, 1991.
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