Tuesday, October 02, 2007

inside the sociologists' studio

I'm on the schedule to speak at the proseminar Northwestern has for its first-year graduate students. According to the e-mail, in addition to discussing research projects, thoughts about graduate school, and perspective on the profession of sociology, professors will also be asked to answer the following questions (apparently inspired by the show Inside the Actors' Studio, which I've never seen):
1. What is your favorite aspect of sociology?
2. What is your least?
3. What turns you on [creatively, spiritually or emotionally] about your work?
4. What turns you off?
5. Do you have a “side profession” that you dabble in other than sociology?
6. What advice would you give to your “younger grad school self” if you could go back in time?
7. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
I think that for #7, my answer is just: "No worries, mate." (Not only for the implied eternal benefit, but also because it would vindicate my theory that God is Australian.)

10 comments:

Ang said...

I generally like Inside the Actor's Studio, but #7 elicits the dumbest responses.

yli said...

i hope there's a sequel to this where you post your answers? would your answer to #5 be "blogging" or is that part of sociology already?

Bad Runner said...

This would be a fun "meme," especially if you put some limit on it, such as, you have to answer each question with a single word. In which case mine would be: ideas, writing, equations, obsolescence, jamming, attrit, dude!

DogOnTheInternet said...

That's funny, because for #4 I'd have to say "The thought that God might be Australian."

Eszter said...

That's funny, DOTI.

I puzzled over #7 myself. I came up with something similar in style to what you and Dan are suggesting (no Australian spin though), but don't know if I even want to respond.

I'm not really sure how to interpret "side profession".

Kieran said...

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

To follow Bertrand Russell, "I sincerely apologize for not providing better evidence of my existence."

Kieran said...

Incidentally, how many grad students watch "Inside the Actor's Studio", ffs.

Anonymous said...

Erm, I did, Kieran. It is a whole lot better than THE DEN on RTV2, which I watched for a whole year because there was nothing else on Irish television. Harumph.
And Eszter: I think they mean to ask about your avocation.
Finally, I'll join the chorus calling for a coda containing your answers, Jeremy.

Kieran said...

Well, now I know.

Ang said...

I don't understand. Are graduate students not supposed to watch "Inside the Actor's Studio?"