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I Have Never Failed a Class

Not True Of Me... In high school, I failed a reading course in advanced chemistry and fully deserved it. I got an A in my first school course in chemistry, and later got a B in first year uni chemistry.

In grad school, I got a D in a course despite having learned a lot. I must have blown the final exam. But I wonder if the reasons did not include my antagonising the instructor. I used to talk to him after class. He was polite, but did not conceal that he strongly disagreed with me about matters that were not part of the course (but were part of the broader discipline). I eventually acquired a 6th sense that he was a touchy fellow and that I was stepping on his toes. The D did not completely surprise me. At any rate, I did not protest or appeal.

Years later, the fellow and I worked for the same employer. We had no reason to interact as we reported to different managers. But our paths did cross at training courses, staff meetings and so on. On several occasions, he refused to talk to me, and shot me looks of hate across the room. I concluded that he was a very insecure man and that prejudice fueled his giving me a failing grade.

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consa01 · 70-79, M

Where did the 6th sense come from?
ME. Women do not have a monopoly on intuition. A certain glassiness in the glaze, hardening of the jaw, a lowering of the tone of voice when replying to me, all signalled much. When we were coworkers a decade later, we never spoke, but I can assure you that he shot me looks of hatred across the room.

Was it normal for students to discuss non-course work with tutors?
ME. What I did was raise points after class about our discipline that were not narrowly part of the syllabus.

I always saw them as too far above me... that fraternising was not kosher... maybe males have an advantage there.
ME. I was nearly 26 at the time, and pursuing a doctorate.

It seems too common that people forget that its OK to disagree and debate. They get egos caught in identification -- "I am one who thinks x,y,z, so if you attack these letters you personally attack me." Source of far too much misery.
ME. Very much agreed.

I think it does harder for people who don't know how to express their feelings in a polite and constructive way. Turns into resentment and festers.
ME. Hiring, promotion, prizes, and prestige and general are very much driven by evolving fashion. People whose ideas and training are going out of fashion can become quite spiteful and resentful. They realise that they will not have the glorious careers they would prefer to have.

For people who see ideas as just ideas, debate sharpens though, cross fertilises minds and adds both spice and joy.
ME. But ideas have consequences, especially in areas where I have made my career...

Curious about the topics you discussed.
ME. It is hard for lay people to appreciate the acrimonious disputes in the social sciences.

As I was typing this, a minor aftershock just struck.

hartfire

Where did the 6th sense come from?
Was it normal for students to discuss non-course work with tutors?
I always saw them as too far above me... that fraternising was not kosher... maybe males have an advantage there.
It seems too common that people forget that its OK to disagree and debate. They get egos caught in identification -- "I am one who thinks x,y,z, so if you attack these letters you personally attack me." Source of far too much misery.
I think it does harder for people who don't know how to express their feelings in a polite and constructive way. Turns into resentment and festers.
For people who see ideas as just ideas, debate sharpens though, cross fertilises minds and adds both spice and joy.
Curious about the topics you discussed.

consa01 · 70-79, M

hartfire, please understand that while I am politically, socially and religiously conservative, I do not suck up to titled authority. When I meet leading lights, I speak plainly and directly to them. As often as not, my refusal to bow and flatter has given offence. I have no desire at all to change what I am, and instead avoid mixing with those who expected to be sucked up to.

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