• Th4tGuyII@fedia.io
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    51
    ·
    2 months ago

    As someone who has worked with academics, the more specialised the person, the less common sense they seem to hold onto.

    As such, if this was outside their PhD specialisation, then it’d absolutely make sense that this wouldn’t occur to them.

    • NewAgeOldPerson@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      2 months ago

      My professor (computer science - NP complete problems specific) had a theory.

      Higher up your education, more and more you learn about less and less.

      I am convinced he accidentally stumbled across Buddhism all on his own (he was a religious Christian, the generous, do not judge others kind). Because Buddha seems to have done his PhD in nothing. Even “wrote” the whole dissertation on nothingness.

    • cynar@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      2 months ago

      My university basically gave up with a couple of professors. They hired a personal assistant, full time, just to try and keep them organised. They apparently settled on 3 phone calls, to make sure they made lectures on time. It even extended to things like reminding them to actually get their wives birthday presents, and personal book keeping.

      It seems the human brain has a capacity limit. The more specialist knowledge shoved in, the less room for more normal knowledge. Eventually it displaces even the most basic common sense.

      • bleistift2
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        edit-2
        2 months ago

        Meet the German word Fachidiot: (derogatory) A person who is only interested in their own trade or research area and has few or no other interests or skills.