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*Soul* left me ruminating on how academics get caught up imagining “the real work” as perpetually forthcoming—once I pass comps, once I defend the diss, once the book is out, once I’m tenured—but whatever you’re doing now—teaching, researching, serving, writing—that *is* the work
Both individually & institutionally we never value current work equally to prospective work—even tenure isn’t technically granted on the basis of work done, but on promise for continued productivity—this perpetual future tense perhaps helps drive perpetual feelings of inadequacy
There’s a moment in *Soul* when the protagonist fulfills a life goal & is surprised it doesn’t feel more dramatic—that anticlimax is how academic milestones often feel—not because they’re meaningless, exactly, but because they’re just moments amid so many others—not definitional
Last point—which I acknowledge comes from a place of privilege—I suspect this perpetual future tense is one reason folks often fall off a mental cliff post tenure—that’s the big milestone that’s supposed to change everything, but for the most part the same work just keeps going
A coda—it seems apt Soul’s protagonist is a dude of about my age—I am *not here* to shame junior scholars for being insufficiently present-oriented—but at a certain age/rank (mine?) that inward focus can turn toxic—become a sense of entitlement or grievance that stymies growth
Reading y’all’s responses, it seems worth insisting a more present mindset can’t just be inward facing—Teachers? See your students doing the work. Advisors? See your advisees doing the work. Admins? Work to help your institution see & value the work—all of it, & more equitably.
Honestly, strong agree with this response—My thread isn’t seeking pity—quite the opposite—Soul’s protagonist begins the movie deeply self-absorbed & self-pitying—he has to recognize what he’s been given & realize his obligations to those coming after—no violins—presence & action https://twitter.com/bleddwganmiaren/status/1343675158654021633
