,>E ,Y\ 9 A ,B,S ,JOB8 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,DAVID ,GRAEB] 

,TEXT 3 

,I W\LD LIKE TO WRITE AB\T ! BULL%ITIZATION ( ACADEMIC LIFE3 ?AT IS1 ! DEGREE TO :I* ?OSE 9VOLV$ 9 TEA*+ & ACADEMIC MANAGEM5T SP5D MORE & MORE ( !IR TIME 9VOLV$ 9 TASKS :I* !Y SECRETLY -- OR NOT SO SECRETLY -- BELIEVE TO BE 5TIRELY PO9TLESS4 

,= A NUMB] ( YE>S N[1 ,I HAVE BE5 CONDUCT+ RESE>* ON =MS ( EMPLOYM5T SE5 AS UTT]LY PO9TLESS BY ?OSE :O P]=M !M4 ,! PROPORTION ( !SE JOBS IS />TL+LY HI<4 ,SURVEYS 9 ,BRITA9 & ,HOLL& REVEAL ?AT #cg TO #d P]C5T ( ALL WORK]S !RE >E CONV9C$ ?AT !IR JOBS MAKE NO MEAN+FUL CONTRIBUTION TO ! WORLD4 ,& !RE SEEMS EV]Y REASON TO BELIEVE ?AT NUMB]S 9 O!R WEAL?Y C\NTRIES >E MU* ! SAME4 ,!RE W\LD APPE> TO BE :OLE 9DU/RIES -- TELEM>KET+1 CORPORATE LAW1 F9ANCIAL OR MANAGEM5T CONSULT+1 LOBBY+ -- 9 :I* ALMO/ EV]YONE 9VOLV$ F9DS ! 5T]PRISE A WA/E ( TIME1 & BELIEVES ?AT IF !IR JOBS DISAPPE>$ IT W\LD EI!R MAKE NO DIFF]5CE OR MAKE ! WORLD A BETT] PLACE4 

,G5]ALLY SPEAK+1 WE %\LD TRU/ PEOPLE'S 9/9CTS 9 SU* MATT]S4 7,SOME ( !M MI<T BE WRONG1 BUT NO ONE ELSE IS 9 A POSITION TO KN[ BETT]47 ,IF ONE 9CLUDES ! WORK ( ?OSE :O UNWITT+LY P]=M REAL LABOR 9 SUPPORT ( ALL ?IS -- = 9/ANCE1 ! CLEAN]S1 GU>DS1 & ME*ANICS :O MA9TA9 ! (FICE BUILD+S :]E PEOPLE P]=M BULL%IT JOBS -- IT'S CLE> ?AT #e P]C5T ( ALL WORK C\LD BE ELIM9AT$ ) NO D[NSIDE4 7,I AM ASSUM+ H]E ?AT PROVISION IS MADE SU* ?AT ?OSE :OSE JOBS W]E ELIM9AT$ CONT9UE TO BE SUPPORT$47 ,IF NO?+ ELSE1 ?IS W\LD HAVE IMM$IATE SALUT>Y EFFECTS ON C>BON EMISSIONS1 NOT TO M5TION OV]ALL SOCIAL HAPP9ESS & WELL-BE+4 

,EV5 ?IS E/IMATE PROBABLY UND]/ATES ! EXT5T ( ! PROBLEM1 BECAUSE IT DOESN'T ADDRESS ! CREEP+ BULL%ITIZATION ( REAL JOBS4 ,ACCORD+ TO A #baf SURVEY1 ,AM]ICAN (FICE WORK]S REPORT$ ?AT !Y SP5T F\R \T ( EI<T H\RS DO+ !IR ACTUAL JOBS2 ! RE/ ( ! TIME WAS SP5T 9 EMAIL1 USELESS MEET+S1 & PO9TLESS ADM9I/RATIVE TASKS4 ,! TR5D HAS MU* LESS EFFECT ON OBVI\SLY USEFUL OCCUPATIONS1 LIKE ?OSE ( TAILORS1 /EAMFITT]S1 & *EFS1 OR OBVI\SLY B5EFICIAL ONES1 LIKE DESIGN]S & MUSICIANS1 SO ONE MI<T >GUE ?AT MO/ ( ! JOBS AFFECT$ >E L>GELY PO9TLESS ANYWAY2 BUT ! PH5OM5ON HAS CLE>LY DAMAG$ A NUMB] ( 9DISPUTABLY USEFUL FIELDS ( 5DEAVOR4 ,NURSES N[ADAYS (T5 HAVE TO SP5D AT LEA/ HALF ( !IR TIME ON PAP]WORK1 & PRIM>Y- & SECOND>Y-S*OOL TEA*]S COMPLA9 ( GALLOP+ BUREAUCRATIZATION4 

,& !N !RE'S HI<] $UCATION4 

,9 MO/ UNIV]SITIES N[ADAYS -- & ?IS SEEMS TO BE TRUE ALMO/ EV]Y:]E -- ACADEMIC /AFF F9D !MSELVES SP5D+ LESS & LESS TIME /UDY+1 TEA*+1 & WRIT+ AB\T ?+S1 & MORE & MORE TIME MEASUR+1 ASSESS+1 DISCUSS+1 & QUANTIFY+ ! WAY 9 :I* !Y /UDY1 TEA*1 & WRITE AB\T ?+S 7OR ! WAY 9 :I* !Y PROPOSE TO DO SO 9 ! FUTURE4 ,EUROPEAN UNIV]SITIES1 REPORT$LY1 N[ SP5D AT LEA/ #a4#d BILLION EUROS .<AB\T #a4#g BILLION DOLL>S.> A YE> ON FAIL$ GRANT APPLICATIONS474 ,IT'S GOTT5 TO ! PO9T :]E 0ADM90 N[ TAKES UP SO MU* ( MO/ PR(ESSORS' TIME ?AT COMPLA9+ AB\T IT IS ! DEFAULT MODE ( SOCIALIZ+ AMONG ACADEMIC COLLEAGUES2 9DE$1 9SI/+ ON TALK+ 9/EAD AB\T ONE'S LATE/ RESE>* PROJECT OR C\RSE IDEA IS CONSID]$ SOME:AT RUDE4 

,ALL ( ?IS WILL H>DLY BE NEWS TO MO/ ,*RONICLE READ]S4 ,:AT /RIKES ME AS 9SUFFICI5TLY DISCUSS$ IS ?AT ?IS HAS HAPP5$ AT A TIME :5 ! NUMB] ( ADM9I/RATIVE-SUPPORT /AFF 9 MO/ UNIV]SITIES HAS SKYROCKET$4 ,CONSID] H]E SOME FIGURES CULL$ FROM ,B5JAM9 ,G9SB]G'S BOOK ,! ,FALL ( ! ,FACULTY 7,OX=D1 #b#a#a74 ,9 ,AM]ICAN UNIV]SITIES FROM #aihe TO #b#e1 ! NUMB] ( BO? /UD5TS & FACULTY MEMB]S W5T UP BY AB\T HALF1 ! NUMB] ( FULL-FL$G$ ADM9I/RATIVE POSITIONS BY #he P]C5T -- & ! NUMB] ( ADM9I/RATIVE /AFF BY #bd P]C5T4 

,9 !ORY1 !SE >E SUPPORT-/AFF4 ,!Y EXI/ TO MAKE O!R PEOPLES' JOBS EASI]4 ,9 ! CLASSIC CONCEPTION ( ! UNIV]SITY1 AT LEA/1 !Y >E !RE TO SAVE S*OL>S ! TR\BLE ( HAV+ TO ?9K AB\T H[ TO ORGANIZE ROOM ASSIGNM5TS OR AU?ORIZE TRAVEL PAYM5TS1 ALL[+ !M TO 9/EAD ?9K GREAT ?\<TS OR GRADE PAP]S4 ,NO D\BT MO/ SUPPORT-/AFF /ILL DO P]=M SU* WORK4 ,BUT IF ?AT W]E !IR PRIM>Y ROLE1 !N LOGICALLY1 :5 !Y D\BLE OR TRIPLE 9 NUMB]1 LECTUR]S & RESE>*]S %\LD HAVE TO DO MU* LESS ADM9 AS A RESULT4 ,9/EAD !Y APPE> TO BE DO+ F> MORE4 

,?IS IS A CONUNDRUM4 ,LET ME SUGGE/ A SOLUTION4 ,SUPPORT /AFF NO LONG] MA9LY EXI/ TO SUPPORT ! FACULTY4 ,9 FACT1 NOT ONLY >E MANY ( !SE NEWLY CREAT$ JOBS 9 ACADEMIC ADM9I/RATION CLASSIC BULL%IT JOBS1 BUT IT IS ! PROLIF]ATION ( !SE PO9TLESS JOBS ?AT IS RESPONSIBLE = ! BULL%ITIZATION ( REAL WORK -- REAL WORK1 H]E1 DEF9$ NOT ONLY AS TEA*+ & S*OL>%IP BUT ALSO AS ACTUALLY USEFUL ADM9I/RATIVE WORK 9 SUPPORT ( EI!R4 ,:AT'S MORE1 IT SEEMS TO ME ?IS IS A DIRECT EFFECT ( ! DEA? ( ! UNIV]SITY1 AT LEA/ 9 ITS ORIG9AL M$IEVAL CONCEPTION AS A GUILD ( SELF-ORGANIZ$ S*OL>S4 ,GAYATRI ,SPIVAK1 A LIT]>Y CRITIC & UNIV]SITY PR(ESSOR AT ,COLUMBIA1 HAS OBS]V$ ?AT1 9 H] /UD5T DAYS1 :5 PEOPLE SPOKE ( 0! UNIV]SITY10 IT WAS ASSUM$ !Y W]E REF]R+ TO ! FACULTY4 ,N[ADAYS IT'S ASSUM$ !Y >E REF]R+ TO ! ADM9I/RATION4 ,& ?IS ADM9I/RATION IS 9CREAS+LY MODEL+ ITSELF ON CORPORATE MANAGEM5T4 

,TO GET A S5SE ( H[ TOTAL ! %IFT ( P[] HAS BECOME1 CONSID] A /ORY ,I HE>D REC5TLY1 AB\T A PROM95T S*OL> :O HAD JU/ BE5 REJECT$ = A NAM$ *AIR AT ,CAMBRIDGE4 ,! MAN WAS ACKN[L$G$ TO BE AT ! TOP ( HIS FIELD1 BUT HE DIDN'T EV5 MAKE ! %ORTLI/4 ,! KISS ( DEA? CAME :5 A HI<-RANK+ ADM9I/RATOR GLANC$ OV] HIS ,C,V & REM>K$1 0,HE'S OBVI\SLY A V]Y SM>T GUY4 ,BUT ,I HAVE NO USE = HIM40 ,?AT JUDGM5T SETTL$ ! MATT]4 ,:5 EV5 ,CAMBRIDGE DONS >E PRESUM$ TO EXI/ TO FUR!R ! PURPOSES ( MANAG]S1 RA!R ?AN ! O!R WAY >\ND1 WE KN[ ! CORPORATE TAKEOV] ( ! GLOBAL UNIV]SITY SY/EM IS COMPLETE4 

,ALL ( ?IS DOESN'T EXPLA9 :Y PEOPLE SU* AS MYSELF 7& ,I HAVE IT RELATIVELY EASY7 >E EXPECT$ TO SP5D H\RS FILL+ \T TIME-ALLOCATION /UDIES1 WRIT+ RECOMM5DATION =MS & MEET+ NOTES1 CALCULAT+ MEASURES ( MY WORK'S SOCIAL IMPACT1 OR PROVID+ HYPO!TICAL GRADES ON COLLEAGUES' PUBLICATIONS TO ASSESS H[ !Y'D LIKELY BE RANK$ BY AN \TSIDE PANEL = DEP>TM5TAL FUND+ PURPOSES -- ALL DUR+ TIME ?AT ,I MI<T HAVE O!RWISE SP5T DISCUSS+ ! HI/ORY ( SOCIAL !ORY ) GRAD /UD5TS OR1 ,GOD =BID1 READ+ A BOOK4 7,I CAN'T REMEMB] ! LA/ TIME ,I READ A BOOK4 ,I MEAN1 LIKE1 A :OLE BOOK1 COV] TO COV]4 ,IT BASICALLY NEV] HAPP5S4447 

,BUT IT'S POSSIBLE TO CONNECT ! DOTS4 ,LET ME BEG9 BY 9TRODUC+ A CONCEPT3 MANAG]IAL FEUDALISM4 ,RI* & P[]FUL PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS SURR\ND$ !MSELVES ) FLA%Y 5T\RAGES2 Y\ CAN'T BE REALLY MAGNIFIC5T )\T ONE4 ,EV5 AT ! HEI<T ( 9DU/RIAL CAPITALISM1 ,C,E,OS & HI<-RANK+ EXECUTIVES W\LD SURR\ND !MSELVES ) A C]TA9 NUMB] ( SECRET>IES 7:O (T5 DID MO/ ( !IR ACTUAL WORK71 ALONG ) A V>IETY ( FLUNKIES & YES M5 7:O (T5 DID V]Y LITTLE74 ,9 ! CONTEMPOR>Y CORPORATION1 ! ACCUMULATION ( ! EQUIVAL5T ( FEUDAL RETA9]S (T5 BECOMES ! MA9 PR9CIPLE ( ORGANIZATION4 ,! P[] & PRE/IGE ( MANAG]S T5D TO BE MEASUR$ BY ! NUMB] ( PEOPLE !Y HAVE WORK+ UND] !M -- 9 FACT1 9 MY RESE>*1 ,I F\ND ?AT EFFICI5CY EXP]TS COMPLA9$ ?AT IT'S WELL-NI< IMPOSSIBLE TO GET MO/ EXECUTIVES1 = ALL !IR 0LEAN & MEAN0 RHETORIC1 TO TRIM ! FAT 9 !IR [N CORPORATIONS 7AP>T FROM BLUE-COLL> WORK]S1 :O >E RU?LESSLY EXPLOIT$74 

,(FICE WORK]S >E TYPICALLY KEPT ON EV5 IF !Y >E DO+ LIT]ALLY NO?+1 LE/ SOMEBODY'S PRE/IGE SUFF]4 ,?IS IS ! REAL REASON = ! EXPLOSION ( ADM9I/RATIVE /AFF 9 HI<] $UCATION4 ,IF A UNIV]SITY HIRES A NEW DEAN OR DEANLET 7TO USE ,G9SB]G'S *>M+ =MULATION71 !N1 9 ORD] TO 5SURE ?AT HE OR %E FEELS APPROPRIATELY IMPRESSIVE & P[]FUL1 ! NEW HIRE MU/ BE PROVID$ ) A T9Y >MY ( FLUNKIES4 ,?REE OR F\R POSITIONS >E CREAT$ -- & ONLY !N DO NEGOTIATIONS BEG9 OV] :AT !Y >E ACTUALLY GO+ TO DO4 ,TRUE1 IF ! TE/IMONIES ,I'VE RECEIV$ >E ANY?+ TO GO BY1 MANY ( ?OSE PEOPLE DON'T 5D UP DO+ MU*2 SOME ADM9I/RATIVE-/AFF WILL 9EVITABLY 5D UP SITT+ >\ND PLAY+ FRUIT MAH-JONGG ALL DAY OR WAT*+ CAT VIDEOS4 ,BUT IT'S G5]ALLY CONSID]$ GOOD =M TO GIVE ALL /AFF MEMB]S AT LEA/ A FEW H\RS ( ACTUAL WORK TO DO EA* WEEK4 ,SOME MANAG]S1 :O HAVE MORE ?OR\<LY ABSORB$ ! CORPORATE SPIRIT1 WILL 9SI/ ?AT ALL ( !IR M9IONS COME UP ) A WAY TO AT LEA/ LOOK BUSY = ! FULL EI<T H\RS ( ! DAY4 

,TO GET A S5SE ( H[ ?IS DYNAMIC MI<T WORK ITSELF \T1 LET ME TAKE AN EXAMPLE FROM ONE ( ! TE/IMONIES ,I RECEIV$4 ,LET'S CALL \R 9=MANT 0,*LOE1 ! NONEXECUTIVE DEAN40 ,*LOE'S TE/IMONY IS P>TICUL>LY USEFUL BECAUSE %E HAS /OOD1 AS IT W]E1 ON BO? SIDES ( ! DIVIDE4 ,%E NOT ONLY P]=M$ A /9T CREAT+ BULL%IT TASKS = O!RS TO DO1 BUT AFT]W>DS1 AS HEAD ( DEP>TM5T AT A DIFF]5T UNIV]SITY1 WAS ABLE TO SEE :AT ! EFFECTS ( SU* BEHAVIOR ACTUALLY W]E4 

,*LOE WAS A PR(ESSOR ( SOCIOLOGY AT A PROM95T ,BRITI% UNIV]SITY :O UNWISELY TOOK ON A ?REE-YE> GIG AS DEAN ) A SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE 0/RATEGIC LEAD]%IP0 TO A TR\BL$ CAMPUS4 ,( C\RSE1 MO/ ( ?OSE TOIL+ 9 ! ACADEMIC MILLS HAVE COME TO FE> ! WORD 0/RATEGIC40 0,/RATEGIC MISSION /ATEM5TS0 -- OR1 WORSE1 0/RATEGIC VISION DOCUM5TS0 -- 9/ILL A P>TICUL> T]ROR1 S9CE !Y >E ! PRIM>Y MEANS BY :I* CORPORATE MANAGEM5T TE*NIQUES >E 9S9UAT$ 9TO ACADEMIC LIFE4 ,SO ONE MI<T FEEL JU/IFI$ ALREADY 9 SUSPECT+ ?AT ,*LOE HAS BE5 PLAC$ 9 A BULL%IT POSITION4 ,ACCORD+ TO H] TE/IMONY1 ?IS WAS 9DE$ ! CASE3 

,! REASON ?AT MY ,DEAN'S ROLE WAS A BULL%IT JOB IS ! SAME REASON ?AT ALL NON-EXECUTIVE ,DEANS1 ,PRO-,VICE-,*ANCELLORS1 OR O!R '/RATEGIC' ROLES 9 ,UNIV]SITIES >E BULL%IT JOBS4 ,! 'REAL' ROLES ( P[] & RESPONSIBILITY )9 A ,UNIV]SITY TRACE ! FL[ ( MONEY ?R\< ! ORGANIZATION4 ,AN EXECUTIVE ,P,V,C OR ,DEAN 7I4E4 S_/HE :O HOLDS ! BUDGET7 CAN CAJOLE1 CO]CE1 5C\RAGE1 BULLY1 NEGOTIATE ) DEP>TM5TS AB\T :AT !Y CAN1 \<T OR MI<T WANT TO DO US+ ! /ICK 7OR C>ROT7 ( MONEY4 ,/RATEGIC ,DEANS & O!R SU* ROLES HAVE NO C>ROTS OR /ICKS4 ,!Y >E NON-EXECUTIVE4 ,!Y HOLD NO MONEY1 JU/ 7AS WAS ONCE DESCRIB$ TO ME7 0! P[] ( P]SUASION & 9FLU5CE40 

,I DID NOT SIT ON ,UNIV]SITY ,LEAD]%IP & SO WAS NOT P>T ( ! BUN FI<TS AB\T T>GETS1 OV]ALL /RATEGY1 P]=MANCE MEASURES1 AUDITS ETC4 ,I HAD NO BUDGET4 ,I HAD NO AU?ORITY OV] ! BUILD+S1 ! TIME TABLE OR ANY O!R OP]ATIONAL MATT]S4 ,ALL ,I C\LD DO WAS COME UP ) A NEW /RATEGY :I* WAS1 9 EFFECT1 A RE-SP9 ( ALREADY AGRE$ ,UNIV]SITY /RATEGIES4 

,SO ,*LOE'S PRIM>Y ROLE WAS TO COME UP ) YET ANO!R /RATEGIC VISION /ATEM5T1 ( ! K9D ?AT >E DEPLOY$ TO JU/IFY ! NUMB]-CRUN*+ & BOX-TICK+ ?AT HAS BECOME SO C5TRAL TO ACADEMIC LIFE4 ,BUT S9CE %E HAD NO ACTUAL P[]1 IT WAS ALL MEAN+LESS %AD[ PLAY4 ,:AT %E DID GET WAS H] [N T9Y EMPIRE ( ADM9I/RATIVE /AFF4 

,I WAS GIV5 A #g#e.0 FULL-TIME EQUIVAL5T ,P]SONAL ,ASSI/ANT1 A #g#e.0 FULL-TIME EQUIVAL5T ',SPECIAL ,PROJECT & ,POLICY ,SUPPORT ,(FIC]' & A FULL TIME PO/-DOCTORAL RESE>* FELL[1 ,P,L,U,S ,G,B,P#b1 0EXP5SES0 ALL[ANCE4 ,9 O!R WORDS -- A %$-LOAD ( 7PUBLIC7 MONEY W5T 9TO SUPPORT+ A BULL%IT JOB4 ,! PROJECT & POLICY SUPPORT (FIC] WAS !RE TO HELP ME ) PROJECTS & POLICIES4 ,! ,P,A WAS BRILLIANT BUT 5D$ UP JU/ BE+ A GLORIFI$ TRAVEL AG5T & DI>Y SECRET>Y4 ,! ,RESE>* ,FELL[ WAS A WA/E ( TIME & MONEY BECAUSE AP>T FROM ANY?+ ELSE1 ,I AM A LONE S*OL> & ALL MY WORK IS DEEPLY QUALITATIVE4 ,I DO NOT WORK 9 TEAMS & DON'T ACTUALLY NE$ AN ASSI/ANT4 

,SO1 ,I SP5T TWO YE>S ( MY LIFE MAK+ UP WORK = MYSELF & = O!R PEOPLE4 

,*LOE APPE>S TO HAVE BE5 A G5]\S BOSS4 ,AS %E SP5T H] [N H\RS DEVELOP+ /RATEGIES %E KNEW W\LD BE IGNOR$1 H] SPECIAL-PROJECTS (FIC] 0RAN >\ND DO+ TIMETABLE SC5>IOS0 & GA!R+ USEFUL /ATI/ICS1 TRY+ TO F9D PROBLEMS HE MI<T TR\BLE%OOT1 OR AT LEA/ ASSESS2 ! P]SONAL ASSI/ANT KEPT ,*LOE'S S*$ULE1 & ! RESE>* ASSI/ANT SP5T H] TIME WORK+ ON H] [N P]SONAL RESE>*4 ,?AT 9 ITSELF MI<T BE 9NOC5T 5\<4 ,AT LEA/ NONE ( !M SEEMS TO HAVE BE5 DO+ ANY H>M4 ,:O KN[S1 MAYBE ! RESE>* ASSI/ANT EV5 5D$ UP MAK+ AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO HUMAN KN[L$GE 9 H] [N RI<T1 DUR+ ! TIME %E WASN'T HELP+ ,*LOE4 

,/ILL1 ! TRULY DI/URB+ ?+ AB\T ! :OLE >RANGEM5T1 ACCORD+ TO ,*LOE1 WAS H] REALIZATION ?AT IF %E HAD BE5 GIV5 REAL P[]1 %E PROBABLY W\LD HAVE DONE H>M4 ,BECAUSE AFT] H] TWO-YE> /9T AS DEAN1 %E WAS UNWISE 5\< TO ACCEPT ! GIG AS HEAD ( H] OLD DEP>TM5T -- ?AT IS1 BE=E QUITT+ SIX MON?S LAT] 9 HORROR & DISGU/3 

,MY V]Y BRIEF /9T AS ,HEAD ( ,DEP>TM5T REM9D$ ME ?AT AT LEA/1 AT ! V]Y M9IMUM1 #i.0 ( ! ROLE IS BULL%IT4 ,FILL+ \T ! =MS ?AT ! ,FACULTY ,DEAN S5DS SO ?AT S_/HE CAN WRITE H] /RATEGY DOCUM5TS ?AT GET S5T UP ! *A9 ( COMM&4 ,PRODUC+ A CONFETTI ( PAP]WORK AS P>T ( ! AUDIT+ & MONITOR+ ( RESE>* ACTIVITIES & TEA*+ ACTIVITIES4 ,PRODUC+ PLAN AFT] PLAN AFT] #e-YE>-PLAN JU/IFY+ :Y DEP>TM5TS NE$ TO HAVE ! MONEY & /AFF !Y ALREADY HAVE4 ,DO+ BLOODY ANNUAL APPRAISALS :I* GO 9TO A DRAW] NEV] TO BE LOOK$ AT AGA94 ,&1 9 ORD] TO GET !SE TASKS DONE1 AS ,HO,D1 Y\ ASK Y\R /AFF TO HELP \T4 ,BULL%IT PROLIF]ATION4 

,:AT'S MORE1 HAV+ BE5 TRA9$ 9 SOCIAL !ORY1 ,*LOE HAD ALL ! TOOLS TO UND]/& :AT WAS HAPP5+ >\ND H]1 TO TRACE \T ! UND]LY+ DYNAMICS AT PLAY3 

,IT IS NOT CAPITALISM P] SE ?AT PRODUCES ! BULL%IT4 ,IT IS MANAG]IALI/ IDEOLOGIES PUT 9TO PRACTICE 9 COMPLEX ORGANIZATIONS4 ,AS MANAG]IALISM EMB$S ITSELF1 Y\ GET 5TIRE CADRES ( ACADEMIC /AFF :OSE JOB IT IS JU/ TO KEEP ! MANAG]IALI/ PLATES SP9N+ -- /RATEGIES1 P]=MANCE T>GETS1 AUDITS1 REVIEWS1 APPRAISALS1 R5EW$ /RATEGIES1 ETC1 ETC4 -- :I* HAPP5 9 AN ALMO/ :OLLY & 5TIRELY DISCONNECT$ FA%ION FROM ! REAL LIFE BLOOD ( UNIV]SITIES -- TEA*+ & $UCATION4 

,*LOE WAS A M9OR PLAY]1 :I* IS ONE REASON %E C\LD BE SO CLE>-EY$ AB\T :AT WAS REALLY GO+ ON4 ,AS ANO!R ACADEMIC PUT IT1 0,EV]Y DEAN NE$S HIS VICE DEAN & SUBDEAN1 & EA* ( !M NE$S A MANAGEM5T TEAM1 SECRET>IES1 ADM9 /AFF1 ALL ( !M ONLY !RE TO MAKE IT H>D] = US TO TEA*1 TO RESE>*1 TO C>RY \T ! MO/ BASIC FUNCTIONS ( \R JOBS40 ,UNIV]SITY PR(ESSORS HAVE TO SP5D 9CREAS+ PROPORTIONS ( !IR DAYS P]=M+ TASKS :I* EXI/ ONLY TO MAKE OV]PAID ACADEMIC MANAG]S FEEL GOOD AB\T !MSELVES4 ,!SE MANAG]S SURR\ND !MSELVES ) (FICI\S >MIES ( FUNCTION>IES :O >E LITTLE MORE ?AN ! K9D ( FEUDAL RETA9] A M$IEVAL KNI<T MI<T EMPLOY TO TWEEZE HIS MU/A*E OR POLI% ! /IRRUPS ON HIS SADDLE BE=E A J\/4 

,ONE MI<T BE TEMPT$ TO LAY ALL ?IS D[N TO ! PECULI>ITIES ( ! ,BRITI% ACADEMY1 *OK$ AS IT IS ) WEIRD1 0M>KETIZ$0 BUREAUCRACY -- BUT 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES ! PROBLEM IS JU/ AS BAD4 ,9 FACT1 ADM9I/RATIVE BLOAT & CONSEQU5T BULL%ITIZATION 9 ! ,U4,S4 >E WORSE 9 PRIVATE UNIV]SITIES ?AN 9 PUBLIC ONES4 7,?IS MAKES S5SE3 9 PUBLIC UNIV]SITIES1 ADM9I/RATORS >E TO AT LEA/ SOME DEGREE ACC\NTABLE TO ! PUBLIC2 9 PRIVATE ONES1 !Y >E ANSW]ABLE ONLY TO TRU/EES1 :O >E FAMILI> MO/LY ) ! /&>DS PREVAL5T 9 ! CORPORATE WORLD & !RE=E F9D IT NORMAL = AN 9COM+ EXECUTIVE TO EXPECT TO BE ASSIGN$ A BEVY ( ASSI/ANTS & ONLY !N SET AB\T MAK+ UP WORK = !M47 ,! OBVI\S QUE/ION IS3 ,:Y >E !SE /&>DS SO COMMON 9 ! CORPORATE WORLD8 ,:Y HAS MANAG]IAL FEUDALISM EXP&$ FROM ! CORPORATE WORLD 9TO PRACTICALLY EV]Y?+ ELSE8 ,& :Y HAS ACADEME BE5 SO P>TICUL>LY H>D HIT8 

,I CAN'T CLAIM TO HAVE A DEF9ITIVE ANSW] TO ANY ( !SE QUE/IONS1 ?\< ,I HAVE A NUMB] ( HYPO!SES4 ,I SUSPECT ?AT BULL%ITIZATION HAS BE5 SO SEV]E BECAUSE ACADEME IS A K9D ( MEET+ PLACE ( ! C>+ SECTOR -- DEF9$ 9 ITS BROADE/ S5SE1 AS AN OCCUPATION ?AT 9VOLVES LOOK+ AFT]1 NURTUR+1 OR FUR!R+ ! HEAL?1 WELL-BE+1 OR DEVELOPM5T ( O!R HUMAN BE+S -- & ! CREATIVE SECTOR4 ,!SE >E1 C]TA9LY1 ! TWO SECTORS ( UND5IABLY VALUABLE WORK ?AT HAVE BE5 MO/ PLAGU$ BY BULL%ITIZATION4 

,! CREATIVE 9DU/RIES HAVE1 OV] ! PA/ SEV]AL DECADES1 PRETTY MU* ALL SE5 ! MULTIPLICATION ( NEW & EXOTIC LEVELS ( MANAG]IAL POSITIONS ?AT >E MA9LY 9VOLV$ 9 SELL+ ?+S TO ONE ANO!R4 ,MANY $ITORS AT ACADEMIC PRESSES1 = 9/ANCE1 TELL ME !Y HAV5'T READ EV5 HALF ! BOOKS !Y >E SUPPOS$ TO HAVE $IT$1 S9CE !Y >E EXPECT$ TO SP5D ALMO/ ALL ( !IR TIME DRAFT+ OR REVIEW+ PROPOSALS OR M>KET+ ?+S TO O!R MEMB]S ( ! $ITORIAL BO>D4 ,! VISUAL >TS HAVE SE5 ! RISE ( A :OLE NEW /RATUM ( MANAG]IAL 9T]M$I>IES CALL$ CURATORS4 ,NEWS REPORT]S F9D !IR RELATIONS ) $ITORS COMPLICAT$ BY AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL ( 0PRODUC]S40 ,FILM & TELEVISION1 :I* HAVE ALWAYS HAD PRODUC]S1 HAVE UND]GONE AN 5DLESSLY ELABORATE PROCESS ( MANAG]IAL SUB9FEUDATION1 RESULT+ 9 A DAUNT+ >RAY ( PRODUC]S1 SUBPRODUC]S1 EXECUTIVE PRODUC]S1 CONSULTANTS1 & ! LIKE4 70,DO Y\ WANT TO KN[ :Y ,HOLLYWOOD FILMS N[ADAYS ALL T5D TO SUCK80 ONE SCRIPTWRIT] WROTE TO ME4 0,WELL1 CONSID] ! FACT ?AT !RE >E N[ 9 EV]Y /AGE ( MAK+ A MOVIE AT LEA/ A DOZ5 SUITS HANG+ >\ND1 EA* & EV]Y ONE ( !M 9SI/+ ON MAK+ *ANGES 9 ! SCRIPT1 T9K]+1 REVIS+1 9T]V5+ 9 SOME WAY TO JU/IFY !IR EXI/5CE407 

,9 ! CREATIVE 9DU/RIES1 AS 9 ! SCI5CES & HUMANITIES1 MU* ( ?IS IS JU/IFI$ BY V>I\S SORTS ( 9T]NAL COMPETITION4 ,IT NO LONG] SUFFICES1 = 9/ANCE1 = A SCRIPTWRIT] TO PIT* A FILM IDEA ONCE2 N[ AN EXT5SIVE PROCESS ( 0DEVELOPM5T0 9VOLVES ELABORATE MOCKUPS & ADS = NONEXI/5T PRODUCTS4 ,!N !RE >E TEAMS ( EXECUTIVES :OSE SOLE JOB IS TO DECIDE :I* ( ! V>I\S PROPOSALS DES]VES TO BE MADE4 ,?IS IS ! ,HOLLYWOOD EQUIVAL5T ( ! #a4#d BILLION EUROS P] YE> ?AT ,EUROPEAN UNIV]SITIES SP5D ON FAIL$ GRANT APPLICATIONS4 ,9S]T+ SU* CONTE/S 9TO ! HE>T ( ! CREATIVE PROCESS HAS1 9 MO/ CASES1 HAD EFFECTS ON CULTURE JU/ AS PR$ICTABLY DISA/R\S AS \R NEWF\ND HABIT ( 9SI/+ ?AT SCI5TI/S SP5D MO/ ( !IR TIME BEGG+ = FUND+ HAS HAD ON ! ADVANCEM5T ( SCI5CE4 ,= SOME REASON1 ?IS IS H[ ?+S MU/ N[ BE DONE4 

,9 ! C>+ PR(ESSIONS1 ! CAUSES >E SLI<TLY DIFF]5T4 ,H]E1 TOO1 !RE HAS BE5 AN 5DLESS MULTIPLICATION ( PREVI\SLY UNNECESS>Y MANAG]IAL POSITIONS & ! CONSEQU5T PROLIF]ATION ( PAP]WORK4 ,BUT MU* ( ?AT1 ,I ?9K1 IS ALSO A RESULT ( DIGITIZATION4 ,:ILE DIGITAL TE*NOLOGIES HAVE ! EFFECT ( RAPIDLY 9CREAS+ PRODUCTIVITY 9 ! MANUFACTUR+ SECTOR1 APPLI$ TO C>+ LABOR !Y T5D TO HAVE ! OPPOSITE EFFECT3 ,!Y R$UCE PRODUCTIVITY1 AS NURSES & TEA*]S >E OBLIG$ TO SP5D 9CREAS+ PROPORTIONS ( !IR TIME PRET5D+ TO QUANTIFY ! UNQUANTIFIABLE4 ,! RESULT IS PR(\NDLY 9FLATION>Y4 ,9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 ! CO/ ( HEAL? C>E & UNIV]SITY $UCATION SKYROCKET$ DUR+ PRECISELY ! TIME ?AT ?OSE SECTORS BECAME 9CREAS+LY DIGITIZ$4 ,?IS 9FLATION 9 ! C>+ SECTOR IS NOT A PRODUCT ( MANAG]IALISM OR ( DIGITIZATION ALONE4 ,RA!R1 IT RESULTS FROM AN UNHAPPY CONFLU5CE ( ! TWO4 

,SO3 ,H[ MI<T IT BE POSSIBLE TO TURN ALL ?IS >\ND8 

,IT'S H>D TO SEE H[ A MOVEM5T AGA9/ BULL%ITIZATION C\LD REALLY EM]GE FROM )9 ! ACADEMY4 ,TOP-D[N RE=MS >E ALMO/ 9CONCEIVABLE4 ,TO GIVE A S5SE ( ! PROBLEM3 ,ONCE1 A COLLEAGUE & ,I APPROA*$ ! NEWLY APPO9T$ DIRECTOR ( \R UNIV]SITY -- A MAN :O WAS CLE>LY KE5 TO MAKE A NAME = HIMSELF -- & TRI$ ! FOLL[+4 0,WE HAVE A PLAN = H[ Y\ CAN MAKE Y\RSELF FAM\S10 WE SAID4 0,I'M SURE Y\'RE AW>E ?IS UNIV]SITY TOPS ! RANKS 9 P]C5TAGE ( LECTUR]S' TIME SP5T 9 SELF-ASSESSM5T EX]CISES4 ,IMAG9E ?AT Y\ W]E TO ANN\NCE Y\'RE GO+ TO TOTALLY REV]SE ?IS1 & EMB>K ON A CAMPAIGN TO ELIM9ATE UNNECESS>Y PAP]WORK & GO BACK TO TEA*+ & LE>N+ ?+S AGA94 ,Y\'D BE 9/ANTLY ON ! COV] ( EV]Y MAGAZ9E 9 ,BRITA960 ,HE REPLI$1 0,WELL1 ?AT C]TA9LY S\NDS APPEAL+4 ,>E Y\ WILL+ TO COME UP ) A DETAIL$ PLAN = H[ ?IS W\LD BE DONE80 

,IT WAS A V]Y G5TLE WAY ( SAY+1 0,DON'T BE RIDICUL\S40 ,IF WE HAD TRI$ TO WRITE UP A PLAN1 ! RESULT W\LD HAVE PRODUC$ MORE PAP]WORK ?AN WE W]E ALL ALREADY DO+4 7,9 ,BRITI% UNIV]SITIES1 ?IS EV5 HAS A NAME3 ! 0=M+ COMMITTEES TO DISCUSS ! PROBLEM ( TOO MANY COMMITTEES PROBLEM4074 ,& ! ODDS ?AT ! DIRECTOR'S L>GE & WELL-PAID /AFF ( ADM9I/RATIVE ASSI/ANTS W\LD HAVE DECID$ TO ABOLI% !MSELVES W]E APPROXIMATELY Z]O4 

,IT'S H>D TO 5VISION *ANGE COM+ FROM ANY K9D ( BOTTOM-UP MOVEM5T1 EI!R4 ,SOME?+ AB\T ! EXP]I5CE ( GRAD S*OOL1 ! JOB M>KET1 & PRE-T5URE TRIALS 5DS UP R5D]+ #ii P]C5T ( EV5 ! MO/ SECURE ACADEMICS UTT]LY 9CAPABLE ( MEAN+FUL REBELLION4 ,IT'S A MATT] ?AT SURELY DES]VES SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS4 ,! T5URE SY/EM IS O/5SIBLY !RE TO GIVE PR(ESSORS ! SECURITY TO EXP]IM5T ) POT5TIALLY DANG]\S IDEAS4 ,YET SOMEH[ ! PROCESS ( OBTA9+ IT R$UCES A GOOD PROPORTION ( ! MO/ P]CEPTIVE & SOPHI/ICAT$ HUMAN BE+S \R SOCIETY PRODUCES TO A /ATE 9 :I* !Y CAN'T IMAG9E :AT A DANG]\S IDEA W\LD EV5 LOOK LIKE4 

,AGA91 TO RETURN TO MY [N EXP]I5CE3 ,DUR+ ! ,BRITI% /UD5T MOVEM5T ( #b#a1 :I* SAW OCCUPATIONS 9 VIRTUALLY EV]Y COLLEGE PROTE/+ GOV]NM5T PLANS TO TRIPLE TUITION FEES1 ,I /RUGGL$ TO FIGURE \T SOME WAY = MY COLLEAGUES -- EV]Y ONE ( :OM CLAIM$ PASSIONATE SUPPORT = ! MOVEM5T -- TO *IP 94 ,EXPECT+ !M TO DO ANY?+ MILITANT1 EV5 SP5D+ A DAY 9 ONE ( ! OCCUPATIONS1 WAS \T ( ! QUE/ION4 ,SO ,I SUGGE/$ A BOYCOTT ( SELF-ASSESSM5T EX]CISES4 ,MANY ( ?OSE W]E M&AT$ BY ! GOV]NM5T1 BUT S9CE DIRECT GOV]NM5T FUND+ WAS BE+ CUT (F ANYWAY1 :Y NOT SIMPLY REFUSE TO C>RY !M \T8 ,SO ,I PROPOS$ ?AT WE SCAN EA* DOCUM5T ?AT PASS$ \R DESK = TELL-TALE VOCABUL>Y1 KEEP+ A TALLY ( ! WORDS 0QUALITY10 0EXCELL5CE10 0LEAD]%IP10 0/AKEHOLD]10 & 0/RATEGIC40 ,! MOM5T ! TOTAL PASS$ FIVE1 WE W\LD TE> UP ! DOCUM5T & ?R[ IT AWAY4 

,! MORE POLITE ( MY COLLEAGUES PRET5D$ ,I WAS JOK+4 ,MO/ />$ AT ME AS IF ,I W]E A LUNATIC4 

,EXP]I5CES LIKE ?AT REVEAL$ TO ME A SPECIAL VISION ( HELL3 ,ET]NAL DAMNATION IS A GR\P ( PEOPLE P]=M+ UNNECESS>Y1 UNPLEASANT TASKS ?AT !Y >E BAD AT & CAN'T /& DO+ -- BUT SP5D ALL !IR TIME ON ANYWAY BECAUSE !Y >E SO 9DIGNANT AB\T ! PROSPECT ?AT ANYONE ELSE MI<T BE DO+ LESS4 ,*ANGE1 IF IT IS TO COME1 WILL HAVE TO COME FROM \TSIDE ! ACADEMY4 

,?IS MI<T SEEM UNLIKELY2 BUT ,I DON'T ?9K IT'S IMPOSSIBLE4 

,IT /RIKES ME ?AT A REAL PROBLEM ) ! UNIV]SITY SY/EM IS ?AT1 9TELLECTUALLY1 IT IS BECOM+ ! ONLY GAME 9 T[N4 ,S*OL>S HAVE NO O!R PLACE TO GO1 SCI5TI/S FEW1 & EV5 AS UNIV]SITY DEP>TM5TS !MSELVES BECOME LESS & LESS CONC]N$ ) IDEAS1 ALMO/ ANYONE :OSE WORK IS 9 ANY WAY RELAT$ TO ! LIFE ( ! M9D -- >TI/S OR J\RNALI/S1 = 9/ANCE -- BECOMES MORE & MORE LIKELY TO HAVE TO SP5D AT LEA/ SOME TIME EMPLOY$ BY ONE4 ,!SE TWO PH5OM5A >E RELAT$4 ,! BE/ ?+ ?AT C\LD HAPP5 TO UNIV]SITIES W\LD BE TO FACE A LITTLE COMPETITION4 

,IT'S HELPFUL TO REMEMB] ?AT UNIV]SITIES HAVE FAC$ EFFECTIVE COMPETITION BE=E1 & B5EFIT$ FROM IT4 ,MO/ #a#h?-C5TURY ,5LI<T5M5T ?9K]S HAD NO?+ BUT CONTEMPT = UNIV]SITIES1 :I* !Y SAW AS CORRUPT1 P$ANTIC1 MORIBUND1 & M$IEVAL2 !Y PREF]R$ TO WRITE = ! G5]AL PUBLIC4 ,! MOD]N UNIV]SITY WAS A BID = R5EW$ RELEVANCE4 ,SIMIL>LY1 9 ! MID-#b? C5TURY1 IT WASN'T ! ,FR5* ACADEMIC SY/EM BUT NONUNIV]SITY GR\PS & 9/ITUTIONS LIKE ,GEORGES ,BATAILLE'S ,COLLEGE DE ,SOCIOLOGIE 7:I* WAS NOT A COLLEGE71 ! ,EXI/5TIALI/S1 OR EV5 PR(ESSIONAL PSY*IATRI/S LIKE ,JACQUES ,LACAN1 :O 9V5T$ MU* ( :AT WE N[ ?9K ( AS ,FR5* !ORY4 ,9 EA* CASE1 ! REAL 9NOVATORS W]E MU* CLOS] TO >TI/IC & J\RNALI/IC CIRCLES -- :I* >E N[1 IRONICALLY1 !MSELVES BE+ DRAWN 9TO ! UNIV]SITY -- ?AN TO ACADEME4 ,BUT IT CAN H>DLY BE SAID ?AT ACADEME DID NOT COME \T BETT] = ! COMPETITION4 

,ONE REASON IS ?AT !RE WAS A LOT ( MONEY FLOAT+ >\ND4 ,IT WASN'T H>D = MAV]ICK 9TELLECTUALS :O MI<T O!RWISE 5D UP 9 ! PO/ (FICE OR RURAL S*OOLROOM TO F9D AT LEA/ 5\< MONEY TO LIVE ON4 ,P]HAPS ! EASIE/ WAY TO BEG9 TO DE-BULL%ITIZE ACADEMIC LIFE W\LD BE TO DO SOME?+ AB\T ! CURR5T PREC>ITY ( 9TELLECTUAL LIFE4 

,9 FACT1 ! PH5OM5ON ( BULL%IT JOBS IS ONE ( ! MO/ COMPELL+ >GUM5TS 9 FAVOR ( A POLICY ( UNIV]SAL BASIC 9COME4 ,ONE COMMON OBJECTION TO SIMPLY PROVID+ EV]YONE ) ! MEANS TO LIVE & !N ALL[+ US TO MAKE UP \R [N M9DS AB\T H[ WE SEE FIT TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY IS ?AT ! /REETS WILL IMM$IATELY FILL UP ) BAD POETS1 ANNOY+ /REET MUSICIANS1 & V5DORS ( PAMPHLETS FULL ( CRANK !ORIES4 ,NO D\BT !RE W\LD BE A LITTLE ( ?IS1 BUT IF #d P]C5T ( ALL WORK]S >E ALREADY 5GAG$ 9 ACTIVITIES !Y CONSID] 5TIRELY PO9TLESS1 H[ C\LD IT BE WORSE ?AN ! SITUATION WE ALREADY HAVE8 ,AT LEA/ ?IS WAY !Y'D BE HAPPI]4 

,A LIKELY RESULT ( UNIV]SAL GU>ANTE$ 9COME W\LD BE ! RAPID DEFECTION ( A L>GE NUMB] ( ACADEMICS FROM !IR UNIV]SITY POSITIONS TO 9TELLECTUAL CIRCLES :]E !Y W\LD ONCE AGA9 BE ABLE TO >GUE AB\T IDEAS & RESE>* ?+S !Y ACTUALLY F9D 9T]E/+4 ,!Y MI<T E/ABLI% FREE S*OOLS :]E !Y C\LD TEA* ANYONE :O WI%$ TO LE>N4 ,UNIV]SITIES W\LD NOT BECOME EXT9CT4 ,!Y W\LD RETA9 MANY /RATEGIC ADVANTAGES4 ,BUT !Y W\LD BE =C$ TO DE-BULL%ITIZE V]Y RAPIDLY4 

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