Thursday, September 25, 2003
(10:40 AM) | Adam Kotsko:
Something really cool
You know what's really cool? Unsolicited, vague advice. For instance, someone might authoritatively proclaim this: "Oh, you guys are first-year students? Well, you're going to need to learn how to cite sources and write clearly. Otherwise, you're just never going to make it in this program." Then she acts like she's sharing some hidden wisdom with you, like you've just been inititated into the Holy Order of the Hidden Gnosis of Orestes.
The only possible response is: Thanks! I had no idea that in a masters program, I'd be required to know stuff that they teach you in freshman English! I'll keep that really banal, patronizing, dreadfully obvious advice in mind. Here's a free tip for you: consider enrolling in a couple shut-the-hell-up lessons, because if you don't know how to shut the hell up when you have nothing worthwhile to say, you're never going to succeed at conversation.
