Posts
Listening to: 'Just a Little Bit' by Mutya Buena [Real Grirl]
If you're a grad student, chances are the title of this post might sound familiar. It is, in fact, the topic of a series of talks being given by Jorge Cham, creator of the comic strip Piled Higher and Deeper. Today, Jorge was in Cambridge, and spoke to around 300 postgrads at the Engineering Department, courtesy the Graduate Union.
It was one of the most enjoyable talks I've been to. I wasn't sure what to expect...I mean how much can you say about a comic that the entire audience follows anyway? I was pleasantly surprised, for the most part. Jorge explored the anxieties and insecurities common to most grad students, and I was amazed to see how much of myself was in there. What I was saddened to hear was that 1 in 200 grad students at UC Berkeley have attempted suicide (don't quote me on that, but that's what he said). In a twisted sort of way, it tells me that things aren't so bad for me after all. It is scary though, to think that it could get that bad.
But yes, I bought a book and got it signed by the man himself. And in due course I will buy the other books (there are currently three) and safeguard them for future generations of masochistic postgrads.
If you're a grad student, chances are the title of this post might sound familiar. It is, in fact, the topic of a series of talks being given by Jorge Cham, creator of the comic strip Piled Higher and Deeper. Today, Jorge was in Cambridge, and spoke to around 300 postgrads at the Engineering Department, courtesy the Graduate Union.
It was one of the most enjoyable talks I've been to. I wasn't sure what to expect...I mean how much can you say about a comic that the entire audience follows anyway? I was pleasantly surprised, for the most part. Jorge explored the anxieties and insecurities common to most grad students, and I was amazed to see how much of myself was in there. What I was saddened to hear was that 1 in 200 grad students at UC Berkeley have attempted suicide (don't quote me on that, but that's what he said). In a twisted sort of way, it tells me that things aren't so bad for me after all. It is scary though, to think that it could get that bad.
But yes, I bought a book and got it signed by the man himself. And in due course I will buy the other books (there are currently three) and safeguard them for future generations of masochistic postgrads.
Yey! Another Piled High and Deeper fan. It's quite therapeutic isn't it? Apart from the weekly strips I lurk the forums as well. It makes me feel so much better that I'm not the only one with masochistic tendencies. Sadly I missed Jorge's visit to my neighborhood. Maybe next time... sigh!
ReplyDeletewheee. Jorge is due to speak here in precisely (consults clock) 1 hour and 45 minutes.
ReplyDeleteMe? In the grand Mike Slackenerny tradition, I'm tagging along for the rumoured free pizza. (ok, not really)