Re: Little bitchery at a distance

1

No, see, that's why it's such successful obfuscation. It fools not only bots but little bitches too.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 9:31 PM
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2

But from whom else would one want to hear?!


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 9:34 PM
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3

No, he's referring to Dotoryx gazella.


Posted by: snarkout | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 9:34 PM
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Deleting the hierarchical level referenced by a species of antelope would perhaps be better, sure.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 9:39 PM
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5

I'm not so impressed with him. I don't even know who he is.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 10:03 PM
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Crooked Timber links to him a lot.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 10:04 PM
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7

What the heck is Crooked Timber?


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 10:09 PM
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It's a "web log", B. They have them on the "internet". Which you're "logged on to", "troll".


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 10:11 PM
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It has something to do with humanity.


Posted by: eb | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 10:13 PM
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10

Crooked Timber links to him a lot.

His pre-blog notebooks are fantastic reading.


Posted by: snarkout | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 10:16 PM
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11

Rad.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 10:17 PM
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12

I thought it was internets, with an S.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 10:31 PM
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13

I love you guys too, Ben.


Posted by: Cosma | Link to this comment | 02- 9-08 11:19 PM
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I thought it was internets, with an S.

Every time you use "internets," the terrorists win.


Posted by: strasmangelo jones | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:31 AM
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15

It's a silent "s", B.


Posted by: M/tch M/lls | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 9:57 AM
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16

I very much like Mr. Shalizi's book recommendations. I've been reading heavily from those.


Posted by: Megan | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 11:20 AM
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17

not on topic, but this seems to belong on Unfogged:

Heterosexuality is a house of cards that can collapse at any time.


Posted by: Michael | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 12:03 PM
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18

That would have been more impressive if I'd linked it correctly.

Heterosexuality is a house of cards that can collapse at any time.


Posted by: Michael | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 12:04 PM
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19

Megan, who is Mr Shalizi? Respect to the Prof. please.


Posted by: W. Breeze | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 12:08 PM
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20

That is very cute, Michael.


Posted by: A White Bear | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 12:10 PM
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21

My bad. Sorry about that, Dr. Shalizi.


Posted by: Megan | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 12:21 PM
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22

With only a Master's degree, and the attitude of an utter dickwad, one can insist on being addressed as Master.


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 12:41 PM
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23

one can insist on being addressed as Master.

"Master" is how one addresses thirteen-year-old boys.


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 12:57 PM
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However, Shalizi isn't the kind of doctor who can have you take off your clothes so he can stick his fingers in your butt, etc.

And neither is Heebie, but neither one of them is going to tell you that.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 1:04 PM
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25

Master is how one addresses Dick Grayson.


Posted by: David Weman | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 1:06 PM
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26

I was reading Cosma as early as 96-97 or so.


Posted by: David Weman | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 1:07 PM
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27

Though actually I wasn't all that impressed by him then.


Posted by: David Weman | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 1:08 PM
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Cosma has an extraordinarily broad range of interests.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 1:09 PM
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29

There.


Posted by: David Weman | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 1:10 PM
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30

And Doctor is a game played by youngsters. I agree, Mr. and Ms. are for adults.


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 1:15 PM
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"Master" is how one addresses thirteen-year-old boys.

ATM


Posted by: Michael | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 1:36 PM
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@21: Not at all; hearing "Dr. Shalizi" still makes me look around for my father.

@24: However, Shalizi isn't the kind of doctor who can have you take off your clothes: dammit, Emerson, was there any need to spoil things like that?

@27: For the record, I also don't think I was all that impressive at the age of 22.


Posted by: Cosma | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 2:11 PM
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OMFG, you were 22 then? Then you definitely were impressive.


Posted by: David Weman | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 2:13 PM
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34

Megan, who is Mr Shalizi? Respect to the Prof. please.

Count me as another`Dr.' who laughs when people get hung up on the honorifics.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 2:14 PM
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35

Reading your Computational Mechanics notes, Cosma; boss!


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 2:14 PM
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36

Damn, Cosma, you've put a lot of stuff online. I'll have to wander through it soon. Thanks.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 2:21 PM
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37

19 is hilarious. From here on out, everyone who comments here and holds a doctorate must be addressed as "Dr."

Or, you know, not.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 2:27 PM
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38

As a rule, I'm much more comfortable addressing people by honorific and last name. Respect was a big deal for me, growing up. Westerners don't like it, though, and I'm older, so I try to remember to call rough age-peers by first name.


Posted by: Megan | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 2:46 PM
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39

I have a doctorate where it counts. Doctoyez-moi.


Posted by: Jesus McQueen | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 2:57 PM
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40

With only a Master's degree, and the attitude of an utter dickwad, one can insist on being addressed as Master.

I read somewhere that Kierkegaard joked he should be referred to as a Master of Irony, or something like that.


Posted by: eb | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 3:03 PM
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41

Isn't Dr. bitchphd redundant?


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 3:06 PM
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42

The Bitch Dr. embraces redundancy, soup biscuit. She throws her arms around it.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 3:08 PM
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OK, Miss Megan.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 3:20 PM
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38: call rough age-peers by first name.

And gentle age-peers, you can address as "Hey you!", like what are they going to do about it?


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 3:49 PM
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41, 42: No, I was kidding, see.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 4:00 PM
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We were deadly serious!


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 4:00 PM
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47

Isn't Dr. bitchphd redundant?

Coming and going. From the front and the Back.


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 4:01 PM
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48

Snark

He would answer to "Hi!" or to any loud cry,
Such as "Fry me!" or "Fritter my wig!"
To "What-you-may-call-um!" or "What-was-his-name!"
But especially "Thing-um-a-jig!"

While, for those who preferred a more forcible word,
He had different names from these:
His intimate friends called him "Candle-ends,"
And his enemies "Toasted-cheese."


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 4:26 PM
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49

I had a professor in college who was insulted when you called him Dr. His response was "Anyone can be a doctor; I am a Professor."


Posted by: F | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 5:23 PM
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50

In Ireland and the UK (male) surgeons are called "mister," not "doctor." Used to be that they were glorified barbers, not doctors; now it's that they want to distinguish themselves from mere holders of an MD without further training. Not sure what the female ones are called.


Posted by: Henry Farrell | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 5:35 PM
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51

With only a Master's degree, and the attitude of an utter dickwad, one can insist on being addressed as Master.

In Austria, one commonly addresses holders of a Masters degree as "Herr/Frau Magister".

The Germans are bad enough with their "Herr Doktor" and "Herr Doktor Professor / Frau Doktor Professorin" shit, but the Austrians really take it to extremes: "Herr Diplom-Ingenieur," "Herr Baumeister", and so on.

Maybe it's the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy or something, but everyone feels the need to have an honorific. I worked with a woman who no college degree or other formal title, but she had advanced far enough in the company to hold a Prokura, or the legal standing to sign documents on behalf of the company. Naturally, she was "Frau Prokuristin".


Posted by: Knecht Ruprecht | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 6:13 PM
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Further to 51: although the practice has fallen somewhat out of favor, the proper formal address in Germany/Austria for someone with two PhD's is "Herr/Frau Doktor Doktor".


Posted by: Knecht Ruprecht | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 6:16 PM
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51/52. I hate to say that I love that. If you are going to do the credential-honorifics, go all the way. OTOH, it does suck for people like Frau Prokuristin, before she was frocked.


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 6:43 PM
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Ah, a different form of credential inflation from the one we have here. Everyone must have a credential, but only one, and it need not be impressive in any way!


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 6:58 PM
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52: When I worked at the German Fulbright Commission, one of my jobs was maintaining all the databases. And as you'd expect, there are tons of higher degreed people on Fulbright's mailing lists. What a nightmare. Herr Doktor Doktor rer. nat. Soundso.

Have you ever bought symphony tickets for the Wiener Staatsoper? The dropdown menu of titles is hilarious.


Posted by: Blume | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:14 PM
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Doktor Doktor geben mir die Nachrichten
mich habe einen schlechten Fall vom Lieben Sie
keiner Pille, die geht, meinen Kranken zu kurieren
ich habe einen schlechten Fall vom Lieben Sie


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:21 PM
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I diagnose a bad case of babelfishitis.


Posted by: Blume | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:26 PM
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Blume, that's wicked.

What a list! Mag. Dr. and MAG. DR.


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:26 PM
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59

The Opera's list of countries is also mighty impressive.


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:29 PM
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Ah, yes. Das Deutschische Mo-Berg. Or maybe "der".

"Goodman" and "Goodwife" are the minimal titles in English, if you don't have any other title. Without a title you're presumably a slave, a servant, non-white, or some kind of lowlife.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:29 PM
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I imagine the MAG. DR. one being for someone who is always annoyed that people are forgetting his title, and who is always pushily reminding them.


Posted by: Blume | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:33 PM
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Can the titles Goodman and Goodwife be removed? Did that happen in the case of Hester Prynne? Was the A short for her new title?


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:46 PM
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My understanding is that Goodman and Goodwife indicated social status rather than any moral judgment on the person in question.


Posted by: teofilo | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:48 PM
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Adulteress Prynne?


Posted by: Blume | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:49 PM
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65

Check out how many Austrian* death notices describe the deceased as Hausbesitzersgattin (wife of a homeowner).

*There are a few German ones there as well, but they seem to be mostly from border areas along the River Inn.


Posted by: Knecht Ruprecht | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:55 PM
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Hausbesitzpinkler


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:57 PM
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Mehwife.


Posted by: A White Bear | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 7:58 PM
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Alewife is not just a fish.


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:02 PM
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63: Yes, they're titles in that sense: "Minimally-respectable X".


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:03 PM
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It's a train station!


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:04 PM
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Ungoodwife Prynne.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:05 PM
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It's a train station and a brook! It's a fish and a frau!


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:10 PM
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73

If unfogged were a musical, 72 would be the moment that this thread broke into song.


Posted by: Blume | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:12 PM
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If unfogged were a musical, 72 would be the moment that this thread broke into song.


Posted by: Blume | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:12 PM
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75

(And I guess I'm the repetitive chorus.)


Posted by: Blume | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:13 PM
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76

Speaking of credentials, oh boy! My dissertation defense is Friday, in a state I do not currently inhabit. A member of my committee, in yet another state, just called to tell me that she has an ear infection and will probably not be able to fly. Normally, all committee members must be there in person. Now I get to spend tomorrow trying to get special dispensation for a video conference, and then dealing with the technical stuff at a distance if I do get permission. Somewhere in this week I must also prepare my defense, because I spent last week largely on a campus visit and the week before that largely on preparing for said campus visit. Holy frijoles, the week AFTER next I am going to sleep like a rock.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:29 PM
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Good luck, rfts.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:37 PM
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Maryland My Maryland

I'll bet you can't wait to hear the chimes play that tune.

(Alternately: The People's flag is painted red.)


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:42 PM
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Also, good luck!


Posted by: md 20/400 | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:42 PM
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Normally, all committee members must be there in person. Now I get to spend tomorrow trying to get special dispensation for a video conference, and then dealing with the technical stuff at a distance if I do get permission.

I did a defense a while ago via iChat. Worked great. My argument with the University about allowing this was that co-presence (in the sociological sense) was what was really required, not mere presence. If I had to fly back from where I was for the defense to happen I would have been present, but asleep.


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:43 PM
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Yes, I think as soon as I get past the gatekeeper of the grad assistant and get my advisor talking to the dean, all should be well. Just, dude, I would rather not be spending all my prep time having long-distance conversations with mysterious holders of the department technology. If it were in the university where I currently spend all my time, it would be easy peasy. Oh well, it should give me something to entertain me in between bouts of poking at my presentation.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:48 PM
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everyone feels the need to have an honorific

Good god, this is true in much of Latin America. Everyone's an ingeniero/a, which as far as I can tell, means they got the equivalent of a BA or a BS. Maybe mano negra can clarify.


Posted by: Stanley | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:51 PM
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(Oh! And good luck, fishbasket!)


Posted by: Stanley | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:52 PM
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poking at my presentation.

I recommend this approach.


Posted by: Gonerill | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 8:54 PM
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Superb plan! I'll go buy some steak knives after work tomorrow.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 9:09 PM
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Good luck with the defense!

I had a committee member present via conference call.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 9:15 PM
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Herr Doktor Doktor rer. nat. Soundso.

You can get a degree in Lucretius?


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 9:26 PM
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Thanks very much for the good wishes! Hope also for indulgent administrators (the bylaws standardly provide for an emergency substitution instead) on my behalf.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 9:29 PM
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Good luck, rfts! Defend thy disserting well.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 9:32 PM
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Congratulations ahead of time, rfts! You will be brilliant.


Posted by: A White Bear | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 9:32 PM
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good luck rfts, soon you'll be Frau Doktor rfts and then if you move countries you can become Frau Doktor Prof.

Poland's got the German honorofic system too, though most people no longer address each other as 'Panie magistrze', which is fortunate given that it's the standard initial degree. On the other hand it still definitely is Panie profesorze - and if you're writing to them 'Wielce szanowany Panie profesorze hab.' - Greatly honored sir professor with habilitation (the degree that follows the Ph.D. in central Europe)


Posted by: tkm | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 10:44 PM
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Or I guess I should say you'll soon be Pani doktor Krzak ogonowy czerwonego lisa.


Posted by: tkm | Link to this comment | 02-10-08 10:46 PM
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93

Does our Doctor have a degree in Math or in Miracles?


Posted by: wolfgang | Link to this comment | 02-11-08 3:37 PM
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I do love all the European credential arabesques.

I got all my bylaws straightened out. Hooray! Now if I can just get my other committee members to stop being petulant about the fact that they were endlessly coy and reluctant to RSVP about times of day so that now their delicate needs are not entirely exquisitely accommodated each one in equal measure, I will truly have a stellar time.


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 02-11-08 3:43 PM
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