Sexy Sociology
My students should think about transferring from UCLA to UCSB. They can get away from me and Mike Jura teaching "Energy and the Modern Economy" and instead take this sexy course. Now I understand why we got hit with this pay cut. UC faculty need to do a better job explaining why we are relevant and helping this state today and helping to build the human capital of the state's next generation of workers. When the LA Times portrays us like this, it doesn't help.
How am I helping this state? Why don't I deserve a 84% pay cut? We have torn out the grass in front of our house and thus use little water. In the midst of this drought, I no longer shower. We pay our taxes (and now the City of Los Angeles small business tax). We commit no crimes, create no litter, do not smoke, do not use the public schools, we recycle nicely. We drive 4 miles a week. I made the mistake of agreeing to serve on some University wide Academic Senate committees and I try to be nice to people, especially people who I don't know or who are students and staff.
In terms of ideas, I think that I have a lot of them and I'm able to sell some of them at a positive price. I'm teaching undergrads, graduate students, PHD students, writing articles, writing a new book, advising some companies and trying to help the Air Resources Board with the implementation of AB32. I try to talk to reporters to get my name and UCLA's name into the news. What do all of these small activities add up to? It isn't too sexy but that has been my choice.
This is my last blog entry for a week. I will be in Berkeley trying to inject some of the local progressivism into my cynical bones. You might see me on the Berkeley campus monday. I will be there to discuss "green buildings" with one of the greats on that mildy impressive campus.
How am I helping this state? Why don't I deserve a 84% pay cut? We have torn out the grass in front of our house and thus use little water. In the midst of this drought, I no longer shower. We pay our taxes (and now the City of Los Angeles small business tax). We commit no crimes, create no litter, do not smoke, do not use the public schools, we recycle nicely. We drive 4 miles a week. I made the mistake of agreeing to serve on some University wide Academic Senate committees and I try to be nice to people, especially people who I don't know or who are students and staff.
In terms of ideas, I think that I have a lot of them and I'm able to sell some of them at a positive price. I'm teaching undergrads, graduate students, PHD students, writing articles, writing a new book, advising some companies and trying to help the Air Resources Board with the implementation of AB32. I try to talk to reporters to get my name and UCLA's name into the news. What do all of these small activities add up to? It isn't too sexy but that has been my choice.
This is my last blog entry for a week. I will be in Berkeley trying to inject some of the local progressivism into my cynical bones. You might see me on the Berkeley campus monday. I will be there to discuss "green buildings" with one of the greats on that mildy impressive campus.
posted by Matthew Kahn at 9:55 PM
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