Current Events > My fav. thing: serious academics who have dubious Einstein quotes in email sig.

(+) Yeah! (+)

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"

Seems to be the biggest offender, probably because it seems humble enough to come from a scientist, so people don't check.

But there's an irony in that lol
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That reminds me of my favourite thing: serious academics who have Einstein quotes in email sigs.

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"

Seems to be the biggest offender, probably because it seems humble enough to come from a scientist, so people don't check.

But there's an irony in that lol
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Even if the quotes were real, I don't know why as an academic you'd farm your inspirational quotes from the most well known smart person for dumb people.
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Odd. My favourite thing is also serious academics who have Einstein quotes in email sigs.

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"

Seems to be the biggest offender, probably because it seems humble enough to come from a scientist, so people don't check.

But there's an irony in that lol
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"Traps aren't gay if they're cute" - Einstein
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instructors who reach out to me advertising 4 of their own books and half a dozen other author quotes in their signature have always struck me as less professional than even the sent from my iPhone ones
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My fav thing is when first year undergrad students hav sigs like they are established full professor researchers

Name, Last name, student number
Degree, expected year,
program, faculty,
address,
phone

Like give me a break.

nah my favorite are the CE posters with computer specs in their sig
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Anteaterking posted...

Even if the quotes were real, I don't know why as an academic you'd farm your inspirational quotes from the most well known smart person for dumb people.

Maybe cause they like the quote?
That's like people who don't like like a music artist because they're mainstream.
Kind of pretentious to dismiss something because many people appreciate it.
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LordRazziel posted...

Maybe cause they like the quote?

Idk, I find inspirational quotes silly. Though, markedly less silly when they aren't misattributed.
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COVxy posted...

LordRazziel posted...

Maybe cause they like the quote?

Idk, I find inspirational quotes silly. Though, markedly less silly when they aren't misattributed.

I agree on both parts.
I was just refuting what the other guy said.
I like popular music, but not the pop genre. I think it's silly. Don't care if people like pop, I'm sure they find some of my tastes silly.
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"Do her in the butt" - Einstein
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LordRazziel posted...

Maybe cause they like the quote?
That's like people who don't like like a music artist because they're mainstream.
Kind of pretentious to dismiss something because many people appreciate it.

It's not the same as music by any means. Pop music might be vapid, but it's designed in a way to appeal to as many people as it can.

On the other hand, half the "value" of a quote is who said it. Using TC's example:
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"

If you didn't attribute this to Einstein, it would be a pretty forgettable quote (and it's sort of stupid regardless). So the only "merit" of this quote is that it's "from Einstein". But if you are an academic, there are more relevant people for you to name-drop quote.
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Anteaterking posted...

LordRazziel posted...

Maybe cause they like the quote?
That's like people who don't like like a music artist because they're mainstream.
Kind of pretentious to dismiss something because many people appreciate it.

It's not the same as music by any means. Pop music might be vapid, but it's designed in a way to appeal to as many people as it can.

On the other hand, half the "value" of a quote is who said it. Using TC's example:
"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"

If you didn't attribute this to Einstein, it would be a pretty forgettable quote (and it's sort of stupid regardless). So the only "merit" of this quote is that it's "from Einstein". But if you are an academic, there are more relevant people for you to name-drop quote.

Not how I interpreted your post.
the most well known smart person for dumb people.
Hard not to see that elitist.

I agree that a name attaches value, but that happens with music, too. Hell, it happens with most everything.
Quotes can have merit because they speak to our commonalities, they don't have to be profound.
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