A Good Analogy
I recently had lunch with a good friend and fellow graduate student. Of course, talk inevitably wandered back to how bad grad school is, how we aren't alone although we feel isolated all the time, and how just about everyone is depressed to some degree. She made a really good analogy to graduate school and I thought I would share it here on my blog. I just thought I should make sure credit is given where credit is due.
I haven't seen Kill Bill II so I hope that I get this right... There is a section of the movie where Uma's character is learning martial arts. She has to stand in front of a block (of wood?) and keep her hand close to it. The idea is that from this close distance she is suppose to jab the block and break it. Her master can do this task but has told her to without his help. She attempts this task for, what seems, an endless amount of time. Her hand gets bruised and bloody and yet she continues to jab at the block. At some point she stops in order to have a meal with her master. She attempts to eat using her hands instead of chop sticks because her hand is so messed up. Her master tells her to use the chopsticks and eat like a civilized person.
How is this an analogy for graduate school? Well, if you don't already know then you probably haven't been listening to the graduate student in your life or you don't have one. We go in day after day and pound our heads against the same problem. Let me stress... day after day for years and years we try to break whatever problem it is that we are working on. It seems that our advisors could easily solve this problem but he insists we do so without help from him(/her). Then, when taken out of the environment of endless self-torture, we are expected to behave as rational, normal people that are well adjusted to society. The problem is that our minds, egos, and general physical health have been bruised and bloodied.
Just to reiterate... Don't Go To Graduate School!!!
I just wanted to pass on the great analogy that my brilliant friend had shared with me yesterday. Have a great week. :)
I haven't seen Kill Bill II so I hope that I get this right... There is a section of the movie where Uma's character is learning martial arts. She has to stand in front of a block (of wood?) and keep her hand close to it. The idea is that from this close distance she is suppose to jab the block and break it. Her master can do this task but has told her to without his help. She attempts this task for, what seems, an endless amount of time. Her hand gets bruised and bloody and yet she continues to jab at the block. At some point she stops in order to have a meal with her master. She attempts to eat using her hands instead of chop sticks because her hand is so messed up. Her master tells her to use the chopsticks and eat like a civilized person.
How is this an analogy for graduate school? Well, if you don't already know then you probably haven't been listening to the graduate student in your life or you don't have one. We go in day after day and pound our heads against the same problem. Let me stress... day after day for years and years we try to break whatever problem it is that we are working on. It seems that our advisors could easily solve this problem but he insists we do so without help from him(/her). Then, when taken out of the environment of endless self-torture, we are expected to behave as rational, normal people that are well adjusted to society. The problem is that our minds, egos, and general physical health have been bruised and bloodied.
Just to reiterate... Don't Go To Graduate School!!!
I just wanted to pass on the great analogy that my brilliant friend had shared with me yesterday. Have a great week. :)
2 Comments:
Interesting analogy...
However, (I'm sure sweetie is cringing with my however) In the movie, the fact that Uma did it on her own made her a stronger person and earned the respect of her instructor. This will wreck the movie for anyone who doesn't see it fair warning:
It gets her out of a situation that would have ended her life and by earning his respect she is then taught a move that no one else ever learns. Essentially a reward for doing well.
Not saying that dingleberries should help you along more, just saying you'll be a stronger person when its over. Keep up the fight sweetie :D
By
Angry Orange, at 3:00 PM
Yes, yes, yes, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Fine. I've noted that one upside. But I won't be happy about it. :P
By
chemgoddess, at 5:22 PM
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