A rather big year 23 Nov 2009 This has been a big year for me. I had two books published, travelled to Lisbon, to Italy, Germany, the UK and the US, gave a slew of talks and talked to a slew of folk. And today I was recorded for a nation-wide show, Ockham’s Razor (probably to be broadcast next year) on species. Oh, and the contract came for a job. As of soon, I will be an Associate Professor at Bond University on the Gold Coast of Queensland (think Miami Beach without the cyclones). This is 2/3rds teaching and 1/3rd research, so I can keep my hand in and write my various next books. But it means that I have to: 1. Arrange to move 2. Find a place to live (in Brisbane; the GC is only an hour’s drive due south) 3. Write two courses straight away 4. Buy a car (for the hour’s drive). 5. Revise and resubmit three papers. 6. Write three book reviews. All before Christmas. The nervous breakdown is scheduled for December 26 to 2 January. Now I’m not complaining, and fame and fortune have arrived at last in a modest but satisfying manner, but I may be a little light on the blogging for a while. On the other hand, every time I’ve said that in the past, the Bloggods have sent me material that I have just had to write about. Hang about and see… Administrative
Administrative Stormy weather 17 Nov 200818 Sep 2017 We had a little storm here yesterday. It left my brother’s flat wet inside and out, destroying their mattresses, and giving my motorcycle a jet blast clean. It’s clean for the first time since I bought it four years ago. I was, not to put too fine a point on… Read More
Administrative A logical inference, or, on how to submit Carnival of Evolution posts 21 Jan 201221 Jan 2012 I could put this into standard logical form, or even argument map it, but I’m too lazy. However, since I’ll be hosting one of these soon, I should post this the way Bjørn Østman sent it to me: Carnival of Evolution only works if people submit posts. A person can… Read More
Administrative Wilko on Wikio 18 Dec 2007 I received an email telling me I’m number 20 on the list of influential science blogs, according to Wikio, a European site that ranks according to links and readership, I gather. The irony of a philosopher being a high ranked science blogger is not lost upon me, I can tell… Read More
I’m glad for you, man! I remember a time — last year — when you were strapped for cash and jobless! I’d suggested you became a translator, but I was absolutely flabbergasted — flabbergasted, I tell you! — that you didn’t know a foreign language! It’s called culture, man! 😉 Just kidding. Seriously though, congrats on the new job and the books!
We few, we slewish few, we band of those astonished that anyone can get that much done in so short a time, wish you great success.
Congratulations John, well deserved! think Miami Beach without the cyclones Oh, and good luck learning Spanish then…
Well, you speak Australian anyway. Congratulations – even though you have to become a Queenslander again. Getting an academic job in current circumstances is a real achievement.
oh reading this makes me all nervous and panicky (I’m completing my dissertation and being a well – very seasoned grad student, the adminisitration is breathing down my neck). I have the same nervous breakdown scheduled for Dec 1st. Congrats and best of luck gettign everything done.
Congratulations. With success comes more work as you’ve found out :o) So now you are an Australian professor (of philosophy?) you’ll be changing your name to Bruce.
Professor Snowflake… That sounds great! I knew it had to be a better job. Congratulations! again. It has come as a mixed blessing with all that work you have to do. I feel your pain. As part of the tenure process I have to design four courses. And that thing about foreign languages. I remember you mentioning in a recent post that you speak some German.
I speak enough German to know what it is I’m confused about when I don’t know what they’re saying. In Italy, I didn’t even know that.
Congratulations! But is it really feasible to live in Brisbane and work on the Gold Coast? That drive has to be less than pleasant…
Very, very nice. Congratulations! :-))) [Maybe, just maybe, I should start constructing my courses while I’m safely removed from any sensible job opportunity … or maybe I should apply your management principles.]