The American Philosophical Association needs a committee tasked with doing something about the epidemic of philosophy professors neurotically punctuating their clauses with "Right?" It's a contagious nervous tick that is actually picked up from others in the course of study and professional training. But it both demonstrates and perpetuates a certain insecurity that it tries to cover. It's a defensive pose --- one that is forgivable, surely, but not desirable. People should be coached early on not to do this when they are nervous.
That's a pet peeve of mine too, along with 'like', 'sort of' and what is sometimes called 'uptalking' -- i.e., ending a declarative sentence with an upward shift in pitch that normally indicates an interrogative or question mark, as though to say, 'Does that make sense?' I try to cut people some slack and pay attention to what they are saying anyway, knowing that these habits are defenses that are often activated by nervousness. I used to be very neurotic in academic contexts myself, albeit in other ways. Probably I still am, to some extent. Still, I think it's important to be aware that these are learned, tacitly sanctioned ways of coping that people model to one another. And it does seem to me that younger people are sounding less and less credible. Other ways of coping with our insecurities when speaking extemporaneously should be found and explicitly taught. This would mean openly acknowledging our fear, insecurity, nervousness, and other 'weak' feelings in environments where covering these up to appear 'strong' is the norm. I think I've seen some progress in this direction. It seems like things are softening a little bit.
Great teaching. Very clear.
is the full lecture available anywhere?
th-cam.com/video/pgh9hMgSKEM/w-d-xo.html
Go to the 2 hour mark
Brazilian researcher present! xx
The American Philosophical Association needs a committee tasked with doing something about the epidemic of philosophy professors neurotically punctuating their clauses with "Right?" It's a contagious nervous tick that is actually picked up from others in the course of study and professional training. But it both demonstrates and perpetuates a certain insecurity that it tries to cover. It's a defensive pose --- one that is forgivable, surely, but not desirable. People should be coached early on not to do this when they are nervous.
man this is so true, being in academia i feel like i end every sentence with “you know?” as a nervous tick
That's a pet peeve of mine too, along with 'like', 'sort of' and what is sometimes called 'uptalking' -- i.e., ending a declarative sentence with an upward shift in pitch that normally indicates an interrogative or question mark, as though to say, 'Does that make sense?'
I try to cut people some slack and pay attention to what they are saying anyway, knowing that these habits are defenses that are often activated by nervousness. I used to be very neurotic in academic contexts myself, albeit in other ways. Probably I still am, to some extent.
Still, I think it's important to be aware that these are learned, tacitly sanctioned ways of coping that people model to one another. And it does seem to me that younger people are sounding less and less credible. Other ways of coping with our insecurities when speaking extemporaneously should be found and explicitly taught. This would mean openly acknowledging our fear, insecurity, nervousness, and other 'weak' feelings in environments where covering these up to appear 'strong' is the norm. I think I've seen some progress in this direction. It seems like things are softening a little bit.
he sounds like jerry from seinfeld
Someone needs to add a laugh track whenever he makes a salient point. Then the camera has to find George in the classroom. He has a question.
18:40
Polock is easy to replicate, as are numerous daubings which the art establishment hold up for the masses to bow before.
shut up dork