Follow-Ups, from A(naconda) to Z(izek)
Let’s follow up on some of the recent posts we’ve put up. You’ll have to keep reading to understand why we have images of an anaconda and Slavoj Zizek here. What’s odder is that the anaconda is probably more directly relevant to the follow-up than Zizek is!
"Green Anaconda" by Stevenj (Creative Commons license)
Alternative Careers in (Post)Gradland: Last week, we mentioned that the great blog Gradland had put up some very illuminating posts on non-tenure track careers for academics, discussing adjuncting and high school teaching. Well, Gradland is back with some more options in the movie biz and the publishing industry. The former is where Anaconda comes in, cause Gradland’s subject “Alice” was hired to do research for the J-Lo/Ice Cube/Jon Voight vehicle.
Freelance Writing Tips from the Legends: In last week’s Footnotes, we mentioned a handy advice piece for freelance critic types posted on Geeta Dayal’s blog — which I apparently forgot to link! This week, PopMatters–gotta put in a plug for my home team!–began a series of articles asking renowned music writers and editors to offer their best tips to aspiring and/or struggling freelancers. Hey, anything a hall-of-famer like Robert Christgau has to offer is something I’d be listening to!
"Slavoj Zizek" by Pablo Secca (Creative Commons license)
Broke-Ass Update on Middlesex University: We covered the cause célèbre that the Middlesex U Philosophy department in the UK has become for scholars worldwide. This thoughtful column written by John Protevi for Inside Higher Ed explores what might be the ramifications of the downsizing of Middlesex U Philosophy for programs and depts Stateside.
…with a little bonus Zizek!: So how does Slavoj Zizek come into play here and why? Remember that he’s one of the academic superstars cosigning a letter of support for Middlesex U Philosophy? That answers how and here’s the why: À la the Betty White campaign, there’s a Facebook fan page petitioning Zizek to host SNL! Though not only does it (obviously!) pale in size to the B. White petition, but, at 967 members, it’s also behind around 13-to-1 to the Save Middlesex U Philosophy fanpage.
Post Academic 
on May 21, 2010 on 3:09 pm
I love the title of this post! As well as the premise of Zizek on SNL. He’s already done a couple of movies, so why not? I love the title because years ago I wrote a ditty for a friend of mine who wanted to apply to grad school. The toughest part was asking for a letter of recommendation from our professor, so I offered to intercede in some way with some humor. I remember that my poem began with these lines:
Bishop, please write me a rec
I know Theory from A to Zizek.
I wish I remember how it continued! Back then Zizek was a new thing.
By the way, soliciting letters of rec never got any easier over the years.