(no subject)
People find it disconcerting when I reply to their "Classical studies...huh...what are you gonna do with that?" with a "nothing." Generally they find it abnormal for a person to not want a definate career or any goal above reading some Apollonius and Plato this summer. I'm tired of making up fake excuses about how the study of the past is so integral to an understanding of our society and how classical civilization is especially important because it has served as our foundational culture. I do it because I like it. I do it because words can be beautiful. I do it because ideas can be beautiful. That's why.
I'm also tired of making up career choices for my interlocutors, "what do you want to do for a career? Teach?" Explaining that there is more to a professor than simple teaching is especially wearisome. I don't even want to be a professor, I want to read greek poetry, it just so happens that the best place to do this is at a University and if you stay long enough, if you're smart enough, and if you have some insight and devotion (and enough cash), they put letters behind your name. I find it a little arrogant to say 'I want to be a professor', because, really, that means you think you're smart enoug, and good enough at a whole slew of things.. I know people who've had their dreams crushed because they can't do what they need to become a professor, or even a TA.
I'm just a lowly undergrad, and I have no wishes other than to learn about what I love. I'm tired of having to defend that, or justify it as a means to anything else. Let me love what I do, and strive for my simple goals. Please.
I'm also tired of making up career choices for my interlocutors, "what do you want to do for a career? Teach?" Explaining that there is more to a professor than simple teaching is especially wearisome. I don't even want to be a professor, I want to read greek poetry, it just so happens that the best place to do this is at a University and if you stay long enough, if you're smart enough, and if you have some insight and devotion (and enough cash), they put letters behind your name. I find it a little arrogant to say 'I want to be a professor', because, really, that means you think you're smart enoug, and good enough at a whole slew of things.. I know people who've had their dreams crushed because they can't do what they need to become a professor, or even a TA.
I'm just a lowly undergrad, and I have no wishes other than to learn about what I love. I'm tired of having to defend that, or justify it as a means to anything else. Let me love what I do, and strive for my simple goals. Please.