The Good and Bad of Academia:

Robin Hanson:

"Hanging at non-academic conferences lately, I’ve noticed how their cultures differs from my familiar academic cultures. For example, in a “pitch culture”, speakers focus on showing energy, prestige, charisma, social support, and momentum, and try to induce enthusiasm. They try to accomplish concrete projects they see as important in the grand scheme of things. All of which I like.

But in such contexts, I also miss key features of academic culture. For example, the priority on original insight. Their use of precise language, and announcing their main claims clearly up front in such precise language. Academics set their work in the context of related prior work, to make clear both their original contributions, and that they’ve done their homework. And they invite strong criticism, often scheduling time for assigned discussants to critique particular presentations. Anticipating criticism, academics identify and respond to particular problems before others express them. Such habits would help to cut the bullshit from many non-academic contexts, even if this might also cut enthusiasm or bonding."