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http://preposterousuniverse.blogspo...erousuniverse_archive.html#111509098797695398
anyone know what happened?
anyone know what happened?
Uncovering the Mystery: The Disappearance of Sean Carroll
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the circumstances surrounding Sean Carroll's tenure situation at the University of Chicago, exploring the reasons behind the department's decision and the implications for his career. Participants express various opinions on the nature of his research and the department's direction, as well as the potential for his future opportunities.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- Some participants reference a quote from Sean Carroll's blog indicating that some faculty members did not support his research direction, suggesting a "stylistic clash."
- One participant expresses confidence in Carroll's future, stating he is a "smart and popular" figure who will find success elsewhere.
- Another participant speculates that the department's decision reflects their desire to pursue a different research direction, implying that it is within their rights to make such choices.
- There is a humorous suggestion that perhaps the board was looking for a "leading cosmetologist," playing on the term "cosmologist" and linking it to the idea of a stylistic mismatch.
- Participants express sadness over the situation, with one noting that not receiving tenure is akin to not getting a promotion rather than being fired, indicating a nuanced understanding of academic tenure processes.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally express sadness about the situation and agree that Sean Carroll is a visionary figure. However, there is no consensus on the reasons behind the department's decision or the implications of not granting tenure.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about the motivations of the department and the nature of Carroll's research remain unresolved, as do the implications of his tenure situation for his future career.
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marcus
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robphy said:
You gave the specific blog
http://preposterousuniverse.blogspo...erousuniverse_archive.html#111509098797695398
and here is a quote from it:
"I hadn't anticipated any problems at all. But apparently there are a few of our faculty who don't think much of my research. A stylistic clash, I imagine. "
So he SAYS it was some others in the department didnt like the direction or character of his research. I tend to believe what Sean says rather than look for hidden reasons that he does not say.
my feeling is that he will have a great career wherever he goes. he is smart and popular, has lots of colleagues that like him and will connect him to some excellent position. he is also something of a celebrity cosmologist, much invited to give talks at all kinds of conferences. he will be a big asset to whatever Astronomy department he fits into
my feeling is that it doesn't really accomplish anything to speculate about why UChicago department didnt want him as their permanent resident celebrity cosmologist. if they didnt like his brand of cosmology and wanted to move in a different direction then that is their perogative. Departments have to decide what their makeup and the main thrust of their research is going to be.
Let's look and see what cosmologist they get INSTEAD and maybe that will be a clue.
I don't want to judge them. Obviously they gave up a world-class star cosmologist, whom everybody likes as a person, and they must realize this, and they must have had some other consideration that balanced it.
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turbo
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The only thing I can come up with is maybe the board asked who is the leading cosmetologist and Sean didn't make the cut.
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marcus
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turbo-1 said:
at least that fits with what he said about a "stylistic clash"
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Chronos
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That is sad news. I think he is a visionary. Did Jennifer Chen depart as well?
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marcus
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Chronos said:
I found it sad too. Someone else will have to answer your question about her because I don't know anything besides what he said at the blog. However I do not think that either of them has left Chicago. Sean is still on the faculty. I think the department's refusing to grant him tenure simply means that over the next year he will probably get some nice offers from other places and he will resign his position at UChic. and move somewhere else. Not getting tenure is not like getting fired, it is like NOT getting a promotion that you expected.
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turbo
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Marcus, you got the pun, so you "made the cut". I wanted to throw in a smilie, but that would have made it too obvious.marcus said:at least that fits with what he said about a "stylistic clash"