Bonfire of the Humanities
Many people were horrified when I told them I wanted to burn my PhD. But I had to do something to celebrate, and I couldn’t think of a better way to demonstrate that it’s just a piece of paper. Turns out some people are really invested that parchment, though.
Why the bikini and wig? Several reasons. Leaving Vanderbilt, it made sense that we stage an homage to Bettie Page, who graduated from the Peabody School (where my building was located; Vanderbilt took it over and made it a campus.)
Displaying my sash
Most importantly, I was celebrating my freedom from the incredibly controlling social codes of academia. Everybody in the Ivory Tower likes to think that they’re swinging and liberated, but they’re really not. And being attractive? Definitely not allowed.
Degrees = toast
I’m a bit skeptical about this whole “don’t post pictures of yourself in a bikini!” paranoia as a cultural phenomenon. Why not? This isn’t porn, for Chrissakes. And as usual, the strictures are much more judgmental of what’s “appropriate” for women. It’s totally OK for a guy to be wearing bike shorts and holding a brewski, but the minute a woman’s holding a martini and you can see some (gasp!) cleavage it’s fine to assume she’s a drunken slut. Yeah, right.
See? Art.
Hey, I have — well, had — a PhD so I dare you to tell me how that bikini compromises my intelligence in any way.
We had fun with our little photo shoot, and as my photographer Laura noted, “It’s art, dammit!”
Click below to see the full slideshow on Picasa.
Haha…love the Bloody Marys on the table next to you as you were getting ready. And no, I didn’t think that you must be a drunken slut
[...] 9. I won’t apologize for rocking that bikini. [...]
You should have the photo framed and put up on a wall. I think this event is something to be proud of. You climb up, earn a phd, and then say screw it’s just paper. And as if that wasn’t enough you have art created from the remains. Bravo.
p.s. that kitty is adorable!!
Yes, that is a good idea! Lucky my friend took such beautiful pictures, I think they’d print up very nicely. And thanks. The main problem with that piece of paper is when people take it as an signal that they’ve done enough to justify their worth to the world; there are many better things to do, I think.
This is fantastic. I’m a huge fan of your blog. Thanks for posting on The Movie Brothers.
No problem. Keep interviewing all those movies I won’t get to see!
Wow. That’s a great story and a good point. I’m not sure I could bring myself to do it although I agree with you. Kudos!
Yeah, I wouldn’t have thought so either, but the things that ten years of self-oppression will drive you to…
Quite a ceremony. I understand. Have not yet been able to bring myself to pick that diploma up- – nor get out, either . . .
Yes, it’s a difficult decision to make. As I’ve told others, I think it helped to feel like I was going to die if I stayed in, so I had to get out for survival’s sake. And if you’re on the fence, you should check out the “PhD On the Fence” blog. There are many of you out there!
Oh my God, you walked in the water! I hope you didn’t ruin your shoes (more valuable than the diplomas, obviously).
No worries shoes fine and not like they’re Jimmy Choos or something (this ain’t no SATC).
I failed my master’s comps in English literature and although it stung at the time, it was the most liberating thing to ever happen to me. The guy sleeping behind the counter at the registrar sent me my diploma anyway.
Love your style!
Thanks, I try!
Though you don’t have the piece of paper any more, I’m sure the records exist in “cyberspace” somewhere. So, if someone accuses you of being a drunken slot, you could rightfully say “That’s Doctor Drunken Slut to you!” I guess I’ll have to keep reading to find out how it is that you’re making a living now that you’re out of teaching.
Hey if I could wear a bikini again, I’d skip the whole thing and wear a PhD! Lol. Congradts. I’m going for my masters now at 48 and possible a PhD. And I agree if you have any kind of looks (when I was younger in my 20s) people assume your stupid and couldn’t possibly be sexy and smart! Oh its changing though. Be who you’re supposed to be and change all of the stereotypes of thinking. I feel lucky to be going to grad school for teaching cert, but who knows I.might totally do something else when I am done.
Well, I feel duty-bound to tell you not to get the PhD, but thanks. The looks thing is weird; obviously it’s not good to prize only youth and beauty, but I don’t understand why that translates into enjoying it while you’ve got it, you know?
[...] This year search committees don’t even seem to bother acknowledging application materials. I understand. 130 to 400 emails is a lot of work (and that’s doesn’t include rejection emails and invitations for interviews) for a department secretary and as a former program assistant, myself, I am sympathetic. Those aren’t numbers anyone wants to deal with. We’ve heard the explanations (over-saturated market, over-reliance on adjunct/part-time instructor) and the clarion calls for systematic overhaul. At times I find these discussions helpful and thoughtful, at others I want to dress up like Betty Page and burn my diplomas. [...]