As will be apparent from the preceding post, co-blogger Lexy has finally lost the plot. She confesses to being a lunatic. She should, of course, be grateful. Not so very long ago someone in her present delicate state of mind might have found herself on the receiving end of a writ of de lunatico inquirendo, a writ issued by the Lord Chancellor's office in order that the mental state of those thought to be idiots and lunatics could be tried by a jury. In the event of such a finding she might have found her estate supervised by a Master in Lunacy. Don't you just love the sympathetic and subtle way in which we used to deal with our nutters?
It should be apparent, dear readers, even for those of you who do not read latin (or a version of it at least), that the stresses and strains of academic life are largely, if not wholly responsible for this tragic turn of affairs. There was me in my infinite ignorance thinking Lexy had a sedate, reflective and self-indulgent existence. Until, that is, I read for myself the misery of an academic life. The extent of the horrors are revealed in a few short pages in my latest favourite book: Microcosmographia Academica ("MA"). Should you happen upon this magnificent text, don't be deceived by its brevity: it's packed with essential information for the academic pretender of today, despite having been first published in 1908. I now understand the stresses and strains under which my poor beleaguered fellow blogger has to exist. Students, it seems, are the least of her problems. According to MA the players on the academic stage comprise Conservative Liberals, Liberal Conservatives, Non-placets, Adullamites and Young Men in a Hurry. I'm not yet sure which category she falls into (the latter seems rather unlikely!), but it seems she must surely have to place herself into one of them if she is intent upon survival. Once she has escaped the grip of the Master of Lunacy, perhaps she will enlighten us. I only know, having myself been enlightened by MA, the prospect of a lifetime of academic politics might be enough to send any poor unsuspecting teacher of law to the nuthouse...
It should be apparent, dear readers, even for those of you who do not read latin (or a version of it at least), that the stresses and strains of academic life are largely, if not wholly responsible for this tragic turn of affairs. There was me in my infinite ignorance thinking Lexy had a sedate, reflective and self-indulgent existence. Until, that is, I read for myself the misery of an academic life. The extent of the horrors are revealed in a few short pages in my latest favourite book: Microcosmographia Academica ("MA"). Should you happen upon this magnificent text, don't be deceived by its brevity: it's packed with essential information for the academic pretender of today, despite having been first published in 1908. I now understand the stresses and strains under which my poor beleaguered fellow blogger has to exist. Students, it seems, are the least of her problems. According to MA the players on the academic stage comprise Conservative Liberals, Liberal Conservatives, Non-placets, Adullamites and Young Men in a Hurry. I'm not yet sure which category she falls into (the latter seems rather unlikely!), but it seems she must surely have to place herself into one of them if she is intent upon survival. Once she has escaped the grip of the Master of Lunacy, perhaps she will enlighten us. I only know, having myself been enlightened by MA, the prospect of a lifetime of academic politics might be enough to send any poor unsuspecting teacher of law to the nuthouse...
4 annotatio:
Ha! Some sympathy at last...
I fear that all the characters in MA were men. You are, of course, correct in pointing out that I am not masculus. Apart from that, I could not possibly comment...
I was being sympathetic, if bewildered. My memories of academic power games are not fond. Ah, Laputa and the Academy of Lagado.
Dear NL,
Many thanks. My jibe was more at my co-blogger (she needs poking from time to time...).
It may be time for the Boris Johnson approach to these things...or maybe not.
Good Gawd
Are you lot still here?
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