I went to MLA in my area (the Midwest) many, many years ago before craigslist existed. I ran into a couple of people from the convention at an.... er ... "extracurricular" event. I actually was kind of expecting that would happen. Why am I mentioning this? Today, the craigslist ad would read something like: "Attending MLA convention. Anyone know about any private ____ (fill in with some form of sexual activity) parties?" By the way, loved the detailed parody in the ad, though I do wonder if parody is the right construct given the draconian, convoluted methods of hiring, much less interviewing, for academic positions.
Yes. That kind of Craigslist personal ad.
Sadly, it sounds like that's the only kind of "interview" many candidates are likely to get this year.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who finds it beautifully absurd that this is happening in Chicago?
ReplyDeleteThere are so many easy ways to get laid at a conference. This one seems entirely too scripted. Must be an MFA.
ReplyDeleteDidn't we used to cover the MLA and AHA conferences? Are any community members going to these things who can fill us in?
ReplyDeleteI can see how this is hot. But as a future job-seeker, all I can think is, is it worse potentially creasing (or worse) your interview suit?
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I'm curious about the monogamous-but-not-at-conferences thing. Linguists must be pretty hot. In my field, that would be SO not worth it.
**worth.** Guess I got a bit distracted . . .
DeleteI know a fairly large number of academics who (claim to) have this arrangement for conferences.
DeleteI've never asked their various spouses to confirm this permission.
I went to MLA in my area (the Midwest) many, many years ago before craigslist existed. I ran into a couple of people from the convention at an.... er ... "extracurricular" event. I actually was kind of expecting that would happen. Why am I mentioning this? Today, the craigslist ad would read something like: "Attending MLA convention. Anyone know about any private ____ (fill in with some form of sexual activity) parties?" By the way, loved the detailed parody in the ad, though I do wonder if parody is the right construct given the draconian, convoluted methods of hiring, much less interviewing, for academic positions.
ReplyDelete