An interesting series

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Posted-Date: Sat, 29 Jan 1994 06:09:35 -0500
X-Sender: farber () linc cis upenn edu
Mime-Version: 1.0
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 1994 06:09:42 -0500
From: farber () central cis upenn edu (David Farber)
Subject: from a mailing I received.
Precedence: list
To: interesting-people () eff org (interesting-people mailing list)


[perhaps one can blame this on the initiation ceremony called tenure where
the budding academic scientist is taught that publishing by themselves (not
with the students who did the work) is the path to success. Perhaps if we
make this part of their career more humane they would end up with a better
attitude .. djf]




In the January 17 issue of Newsweek this article entitled "Nice
Scientists Finish Last" by Robbin Sparkman appeared.  The title
summarized psychologist Gregory Feist's Ph.D. dissertation conclusion.
Feist evaluated 99 full professors of science at California research
universities.  His study consisted of devising a working definition of
success and identifying common personality traits of his subject by
using research assistants to evaluate audiotaped interviews and rate
the tapes for hostility, loquaciousness and serenity.  While the
eminent professors published more and their work cited more than less
renowned colleagues, they were more unfriendly, exploitative of others
and arrogant. Feist hopes that research into the psychology of
scientists may help educators pinpoint basic personality traits that
can be nurtured in aspiring researchers.  It is unfortunate that
antisocial behavior and sour personalities are put together with
successful scientist.






Posted-Date: Sat, 29 Jan 1994 19:28:46 -0500
X-Sender: farber () linc cis upenn edu
Mime-Version: 1.0
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 1994 19:28:53 -0500
From: farber () central cis upenn edu (David Farber)
Subject:  Re: from a mailing I received. re: Professors
Precedence: list
To: interesting-people () eff org (interesting-people mailing list)


Date: 29 Jan 94 16:36:11 EST
From: Paul Baran <73507.2223 () CompuServe COM>


"While the eminent professors published more and their work cited more than less
renowned colleagues, they were more unfriendly, exploitative of othersand
arrogant.


"Feist hopes that research into the psychology of
scientists may help educators pinpoint basic personality traits that
can be nurtured in aspiring researchers.  It is unfortunate that
antisocial behavior and sour personalities are put together with
successful scientist."
------------------------
Dave:


A different view of what is happening:


I like to think that it not a first order effect of how good the scientist is.
Rather it is secondary effect of the moral corruption caused by a perceived
necessity by those in a weak power position to have to kiss the ass of those who
have a monopoly in handing out goodies.


This is an all too common phenomenon seen in those whose good will is necessary
to the supplicants survival.


For example of a non-academic situation of this sort of behavior is sometimes
found in purchasing agents.  Salesmen will tend to laugh at their jokes whether
funny or not.  The purchasing agent will be treated with far more respect than
deserved.  After a while he thinks of himself as being very clever and
infalible.  That poor soul is no longer receiving the normal feedback signals
from others we need to keep us in line when our behavior starts to move out of
bounds. And, another jerk is created.


I have seen this phenomenon in ex-company presidents,  physicians, venture
capitalists, breaucrats, clerks or anyone that formerly made decisions as to who
gets what, etc.


Observe people exiting a position of power.  Look at them after they are removed
from their position of power and can no longer hand out goodies.  Then they tend
to be immediately treated like the rest of us.  This change in behavior often
comes as a debilitating shock, and maifests itself in a great reduction of self
worth.


The successful researcher is usually in position of power.  Graduate students
and assistant professors have no choice but to retain the good graces of these
power points.  As a result many fine people get corrupted into becoming real
pricks without appreciating that it is happening to them.  Yes, power does
corrupt.


Paul


From: MEYERSON.MORT () x400mail dcu ps net
Posted-Date: Sat, 29 Jan 1994 22:01:15 -0500
Date: 29 Jan 94 20:54:00 -0600
To: farber () central cis upenn edu
Subject: Re[2]: from a mailing I received. re: Professors


     Dear Dave:
     Yes, power corrupts as does success.And absolute power or absolute 
     success corrupts absolutely. The discussion below is very interesting 
     to me who has never had to live in the academic world since my 
     undergraduate days. I never saw this in those naive days. But, I 
     forwarded the info to some friends who are recent Phd's and profs in 
     the math/science/computer science area and guess what?
     They hartily agreed. This is sad, but there are situations like that 
     in business and the non profit world, not to mention government. It 
     would seem that people can be nasty or wonderful depending on the time 
     of day or whathaveyou. My experience has been that people tend to rise 
     to higher expectations of their peers and leaders. Further, people 
     truly want to believe in and trust leaders. Most won't confess this, 
     particularly in the high tech world, but I have observed this over and 
     over again. The trick is to warrant this trust and earn the respect of 
     the people that you are trying to coach or lead.                  
     
       mort
     
     pass it on if you wish a bystanders viewpoint.
     
     
     
     
Date: 29 Jan 94 16:36:11 EST
From: Paul Baran <73507.2223 () CompuServe COM>
     
"While the eminent professors published more and their work cited more than less
renowned colleagues, they were more unfriendly, exploitative of othersand 
arrogant.
     
"Feist hopes that research into the psychology of
scientists may help educators pinpoint basic personality traits that 
can be nurtured in aspiring researchers.  It is unfortunate that 
antisocial behavior and sour personalities are put together with 
successful scientist."
------------------------
Dave:
     
A different view of what is happening:
     
I like to think that it not a first order effect of how good the scientist is. 
Rather it is secondary effect of the moral corruption caused by a perceived 
necessity by those in a weak power position to have to kiss the ass of those who
have a monopoly in handing out goodies.
     
This is an all too common phenomenon seen in those whose good will is necessary 
to the supplicants survival.
     
For example of a non-academic situation of this sort of behavior is sometimes 
found in purchasing agents.  Salesmen will tend to laugh at their jokes whether 
funny or not.  The purchasing agent will be treated with far more respect than 
deserved.  After a while he thinks of himself as being very clever and 
infalible.  That poor soul is no longer receiving the normal feedback signals 
from others we need to keep us in line when our behavior starts to move out of 
bounds. And, another jerk is created.
     
I have seen this phenomenon in ex-company presidents,  physicians, venture 
capitalists, breaucrats, clerks or anyone that formerly made decisions as to who
gets what, etc.
     
Observe people exiting a position of power.  Look at them after they are removed
from their position of power and can no longer hand out goodies.  Then they tend
to be immediately treated like the rest of us.  This change in behavior often 
comes as a debilitating shock, and maifests itself in a great reduction of self 
worth.
     
The successful researcher is usually in position of power.  Graduate students 
and assistant professors have no choice but to retain the good graces of these 
power points.  As a result many fine people get corrupted into becoming real 
pricks without appreciating that it is happening to them.  Yes, power does 
corrupt.
     
Paul


From: MEYERSON.MORT () x400mail dcu ps net
Posted-Date: Sun, 30 Jan 1994 11:23:04 -0500
Date: 30 Jan 94 07:44:00 -0600
To: farber () central cis upenn edu
Subject: Re[4]: from a mailing I received. re: Professors


     This is a serious not a weird comment. Ever think that because you 
     don't have a Phd that you have the advantage of being a human being 
     with your students?  Anyway, I guess you got some emotions out on the 
     original message.
     mort




______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Re[2]: from a mailing I received. re: Professors
Author:  farber () central cis upenn edu%SMTP at x400po
Date:    1/30/94 1:13 AM




Posted-Date: Sun, 30 Jan 1994 02:13:35 -0500 
X-Sender: farber () linc cis upenn edu
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
     
Gads, I must be a poor Professor. I help junior people, are nice to grad 
students and help them. The only time I get up tight is when someone 
publishes about stuff I did years ago and fails to credit me for it.
     
Guess I dont fit the mold