Sociopath Community

Seems like that student tried to cut you out so they can appear as the project lead. 

They're gone now. Don't know if they graduated, dropped out or kicked out,

If they were good at what they do, you did your job. They might not be very nice, but at least there's someone who'll get shit done.

You know that student talked behind your back to your collaborators. The fact that you even know about it, shows how your collaborators judged that student correctly.  

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As for the ones who come in, but lack basic skills. That should be half the focus of your class. Even in 3D, every year a new version of the software will come out, it'll come with fancy tricks and other solutions, I see those as gimmicks because what still matters most are the basics. The basics are flexible and can accomplish anything. I find the basics matters the most when it comes to everything. Sometimes new ways fail. Digitally it could be a bug, or something the user doesn't quite understand about the new technology. In a workspace the issue should be handed to someone whose job it is to resolve issues with new technologies while the worker carries on with the basics to get the job done. 

Whatever new tricks or technologies your field has, don't give them the shortcuts or modern way of doing things, until they know how to do it without the modern simplified ways. They may not like it at first, but when they're doing it, they'll not only feel, but be more qualified.

While in action, you will let them know you will collaborate with them, but do not take the lead unless you're behind on a deadline. Your students must collaborate and take the time to reach consensus on what you're speculating. As part of the course it should be mandatory that everyone offers their input on what's been examined. 

Don't let idiots out there into your field. One thing I can't stand are dumb doctors with the ego of knowing best in an age where we have access to information that shows better practices. Had a friend die from incompetence on the hospitals behalf.

Endless iv with zofran, I watched her on it for days, she became bloated from over hydration. Meanwhile I'm researching this and seeing how dangerous this is. The nurses would keep reloading the iv bags as instructed to, and we only seen the doctor once and it was for 2 minutes. Some chick. Her bloating were symptoms of hypervolemia, which causes heart attack. 

I brought up her symptoms, but the response was "are you a doctor ?". They kept pumping the fluids. She had a heart attack, and is now dead. 

With that I'll say. For the love on God, Legga, don't let any idiots into the field. I know the University expect good grades and would like to have the image of success, but damn, don't let the idiots pass. 

Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope the doctor got fired. Theres nothing more dangerous than an incompetent doctor.

The student felt like I didn't do enough for them, and they got a lot of their training from my collaborators because I arranged it at the cost of calling in several favors. The early complaint I got included about this research environment not being good enough, which I spent my waking hours improving. I told the student that if they want a better environment then they need to help me make it happen, but instead they dropped offline in their second half of final year. In hindsight I shouldve not let them graduate. 

The other complaint was over how our collaborators research group is better. Its probably true at least when it comes to the research environment, which is a real problem that is becoming my waking nightmare. However, I think it was a mistake to acknowledges the problem and then expect me to single-handedly fix it. I also found it disappointing that I get judged so harshly I pulled in my favors to get them there in the first place.

My original plan was to have many of my students connected to a range of Universities so they pick up skills and good habits from several places, and bring it back. I thought that people would naturally become the mean of the few closest collaborators, which is why I always teamed people "up" where possible. Instead, what happened at least with this student was that they decided not to bring it back, instead feeling they were entitled to it. Ive learned my lesson, but I feel quite hurt over not recognizing basic human attributes and over how much of my work was in vain. But maybe youre right. Maybe they'll do well and recognize my effort when they grow older. Who knows.

At any rate, Im pretty drained of my motivation.

I might take some rest over the Summer and think things over, including your advice not to let people graduate. 

I got the feeling some shits going down over there. 

First and foremost you're a professional, 2nd a professor. Universities like to hire people in the field and advertize it to boost their credibility.

If you find the policies are shit you could raise it as an issue. 

While degrees are inflationary and the job markets are congested most graduates will most likely never get their foot in the door after graduating, while a majority will not make it. Just about every student will knock on your door, some returning to check for openings, and it will never end for the rest of your life. 

Some student might lose their marbles and turn out to be dangerous, because you refuse to "create" work for them. 

Love life, I suspect you want a divorce. You wanted one before, and here you are again. She'll rip you in half and will fight you for sole custody of any offspring you have with her. However. If she's richer than you ( probably not ) she'll be happy with everyone taking what's theirs before final separation. 

If you don't kick bad habits like say, Christmas, you'll have difficulty adjusting to your desired changes.

I say this cause you do place importance on a yearly routine that involves family gatherings, except this time you'll be going to the gathering without her, then you're the elephant in the room. Routine scripts of sympathy will be played out and you'll probably want to just tell them to shut the fuck up cause you're fine, then you get to be the villain. 

Whatever the case, you're probably going to have a nervous breakdown if you don't change the foolery going on around you. 

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Teachers/professors. They are at the mercy of public rating systems by students. This is similar to how Reddit puts stones in the hands of its users with it's karma system. You could be destroyed simply for wanting students to come in and get their hands dirty instead of staying at home wandering off in different directions while the team should be focused, coordinated and aware of what's been done.  

See what Elon did when he bought Twitter ? Fired a bunch of useless workers. For those remaining Elon said, if you're not willing to work hard, leave. And HALF of the remaining employees resigned. 

You're going to have to pull an Elon. The fate of your field partially relies on it or else a bunch of jackasses will be sitting in high places including yours when you retire. It's not pretty nor will anyone commend you for it.

For your next batch of students. Try not to come across as too easy going, and don't reward them with any praise whenever they do something right. A simple "good" should be enough. Even when they impress you, let them keep trying to impress you, unless of course, they really really impress you. Gotta give it up sometimes. 

Jada said: 

Instead, what happened at least with this student was that they decided not to bring it back, instead feeling they were entitled to it. Ive learned my lesson, but I feel quite hurt over not recognizing basic human attributes and over how much of my work was in vain. 

Look, the students aren't just being lazy they’re being realistic. They’ve looked at a world where working your ass off guarantees absolutely nothing, and they’ve realized the game is rigged. Why kill yourself trying when everything feels completely pointless anyway? We live on a planet governed by entropy, where the rich get richer, inequalities just keep skyrocketing, and the system naturally degrades. So yeah, of course students are going to 'get with the program.' Taking it easy isn't a lack of discipline; it’s the only logical response to reality.

Spatial Mind said: 

I got the feeling some shits going down over there. 

First and foremost you're a professional, 2nd a professor. Universities like to hire people in the field and advertize it to boost their credibility.

If you find the policies are shit you could raise it as an issue. 

Ive raised it several times. Theres some help, but not enough. The Elon thing is probably true. I should try to get this fixed at the University level.

While degrees are inflationary and the job markets are congested most graduates will most likely never get their foot in the door after graduating, while a majority will not make it. Just about every student will knock on your door, some returning to check for openings, and it will never end for the rest of your life. 

Not in Academia for sure. The field has practically zero unemployment but only around 5% or less make it to faculty level in academia.

Im not giving the students that I dont believe in anything post PhD. I do help them get jobs after the fact, and they've been moderately successful so far, with some of my students having made it to top positions. 

The issue is that I feel like Im being burned out, because Im fighting a shitty research environment and culture. Its like taking care of kids who live in a ghetto and just trying to get them not to smoke like everyone around them is taking all my energy. And then at the end of the day I get zero thanks for it.

Some student might lose their marbles and turn out to be dangerous, because you refuse to "create" work for them. 

Ive refused to create work for them to the point that they dont expect it thankfully. 

Whatever the case, you're probably going to have a nervous breakdown if you don't change the foolery going on around you. 

Every time that one of these annoyances repeats, I feel drained. There does need to be some change. At this point I'm pretty open to anything.

Teachers/professors. They are at the mercy of public rating systems by students. This is similar to how Reddit puts stones in the hands of its users with it's karma system. You could be destroyed simply for wanting students to come in and get their hands dirty instead of staying at home wandering off in different directions while the team should be focused, coordinated and aware of what's been done.  

In this case, I hold the power. The rating system does not want to see students fail, but I hold the ultimate authority. This is one place where Ive thought of taking serious measures, like suspending payment of those who dont come to office regularly. I feel like its the nuke option.

See what Elon did when he bought Twitter ? Fired a bunch of useless workers. For those remaining Elon said, if you're not willing to work hard, leave. And HALF of the remaining employees resigned. 

You're going to have to pull an Elon. The fate of your field partially relies on it or else a bunch of jackasses will be sitting in high places including yours when you retire. It's not pretty nor will anyone commend you for it.

So you think I should take a hard stance? The thing is, given how the environment is, its difficult to hold my group to a higher standard than everyone else does. I feel like if I did something like that, it would kill all morale and likely the next batch of students would start with the same issues. The issue is that the root cause is still there. In the end, the students come to academia because they want to learn, and it should be an enjoyable experience. Its not an enjoyable experience, but I worry that firing people will entirely exclude that option. But Im admittedly feeling cornered over how many other options Ive explored by now.

For your next batch of students. Try not to come across as too easy going, and don't reward them with any praise whenever they do something right. A simple "good" should be enough. Even when they impress you, let them keep trying to impress you, unless of course, they really really impress you. Gotta give it up sometimes. 

Ill try work-first on Monday which is when there'll be two new students. The thing is, Im mainly bad at handling the cases where Im disappointed. I feel drained over how much I know I need to have yet another discussion. I think I need a system where I can offload that without it being a drain on my energy. I think if I had adopted a more intense attitude with the student who ended up trying to mess up my relations with my collaborators, they probably wouldnt have done that. The saving grace is that I do have also students who do things right and try their best seriously. For me its never been about how good they are but whether they are serious about it.

Then explain to them, for what they got themselves into, coming in is critical. If it's true even they'll see that, and they won't want to appear as a slacker among their colleagues.

University isn't cheap so students will be more likely to complain than give you credit. Don't worry if due credit isn't expressed, you're not cheap either.

Taking pride in credit not being required is much cooler. Super cool. Aspire for it.  When you understand this you'll gain Godly credit from the inside with peace of mind. The ones that matter will see that in you. By all means do not appear as though you place importance in credit when the students are seeking to gain credit. They already know you're hot shit and they're trying to become you. One really tried to replace you with collaborators. Immature people rarely make it with intellectuals so at some point you and them will laugh about it. The only thing you should enforce is respect only when called for.

If you pull an Elon, do not openly reference him. You probably already know that. 

The new batch of students come to work, so maybe not all hope is lost.

Ive explained why I require them to go to work. Next review Ill make a formal effort to put things on the record and give those who dont come unsatisfactory performance. If they get that twice, they'll be fired. Tough, but I dont see many other options without burning my energy.

Jada said: 

The new batch of students come to work, so maybe not all hope is lost.

Ive explained why I require them to go to work. Next review Ill make a formal effort to put things on the record and give those who dont come unsatisfactory performance. If they get that twice, they'll be fired. Tough, but I dont see many other options without burning my energy.

 Doctor's notes.

With so many students someone is bound to get into a jam more than twice. Weigh the scales wisely, sometimes a star blooms late. Still go hard.