The situation has become dire enough that I often think the only feasible solution would be to eliminate tenure altogether. Morally, such a plan would be repugnant: Academics deserve the freedom to work at their pace and without the fear of too much administrative interference. But economically, it might be the only thing that allows for real labor market flexibility, forcing out elderly and ineffective professors and driving a rise in the standard of living for those many talented adjuncts who are unable to find work under prevailing conditions.

zebra2:

This guy's memoir reads a bit like "guy sails through school, meets obstacles for the first time, gives up". Don't get me wrong, I agree with most of what he puts forth, but it's the same points that have been harped-on by many for years. Here they are just presented like "insider knowledge" from a disgruntled assistant professor whose idealism has been shattered with the realization that he's not actually competitive for tenure at the tenure-track job he has.

posted 3151 days ago