Orson Makes a Connection

[Gita]

Orson rises from the black leather Eames chair in his office to refill his mug from the department’s communal Mr. Coffee and rubs his eyes.

He has been reading articles in physics journals that were written by the chairman of the tenure committee as a means of preparing himself for his interview, just one week away.

The man's work is clumsily written, the proofs are scattershot and the conclusions are just shy of spurious. But they are, nonetheless, the work of a man who holds Orson’s future in his hands, and, as a practical matter, Orson must plow on.

He has given a good deal of consideration to the committee members, and he worries most about one particular unreadable professor who keeps his head down during all discussions and never questions the candidates. 

Could it be, Orson suddenly wonders, that he’s one of MY kind, that he’s another me?

 

 

[Stephen Torelli]

Orson identifies with someone that may think like him, so maybe there's hope.

[Bill Floyd]

I've always thought these type of situations (thesis-defending, tenure-reviewing, parole-board hearing :-)) must be seriously difficult to finesse.  Then I think of all the spuriously-reasoning, poor-writing, scattershot-proving people who end up in positions of authority, and I wonder if it isn't more about politics than skills.  Seems like that would explain a lot... Uncommon and enthralling series you've created from this subject.

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

This member I presume is the one who everyone thinks uses I Ching to decide???  I doubt that he's Orson's kind, if that's true.  Terrific observations on academic life.  I am smiling and crying at the nerve you are hitting.  What a life I used to lead!

[Mike Handley]

Interesting turn in the story. Me like.

[Jeanette Cheezum]

You're developing quite the character in Orlson.

[Cita]

I am so caught up in this story.... Please keep writing.

[Teresa]

"...as a practical matter, Orson must plow on..."  --This is the greatest gift of Aspergers besides the typical IQ that goes with it.  But I'm curious as to why he's so worried about one of his "kind"?  Is he worried it might affect the decision made?  Or is it just hard looking in the mirror?  Interesting.  Loved every word of this.

[Angela]

Oh, let us hope.  The last thing Orson deserves is a life-long assistant professorship.  Love the way you describe professional research writing.

[Robert Crisman]

The plot thickens! Knock wood, Orson...