Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Dealing with an idiot for a professor (rantish)

Ratman · 05-28-2003, 05:44 AM

Greg700- You may be right, except it doesn't matter. This is something you will run across for the rest of your life, so how you deal with it now will set the tone for your future.

An idiot that has power is a powerful idiot. NO ONE likes to be told (or worse- proven) that they are wrong, especially not in front of those over whom he has power, by one over whom he has power.

Your best approach is to listen to what he says, regurgitate what he wants. I know that is distasteful, but it is better to have an A and retain your superior knowledge, than to get a D because you're a snotty know-it all (in the prof's eyes). As you stated, this class is a required course for graduation, but not for your major. Let this idiot be an idiot and get on with your life.

If you MUST correct him in order to sleep at night, DO NOT do this in class when he has no defense and you have no opportunity to enlighten him without wasting all the class time. Instead, make an appointment to see him in his office. Tell him that you are confused because of conflicting information given in your other classes, and could he please help you to understand. Do not attack him, or his views, as asinine as they may be. He still has the power to flunk your ass and hurt your GPA, or even your graduation.

I know you are a hard science guy, but take this from a soft science diplomat with hard science background. The real challenge in telling someone to go to hell is leaving them looking forward to the trip. If you are confrontational, you will lose, even if you are right.

Edit: I posted this at about the same time as warrrreagl, and wasn't able to read his post first. Of course you have the options he suggested. It's up to you to decide if carrying this fight beyond graduation, while you are possibly trying to get ready for work or grad school, is worth it. I would suggest so if it weren't (I assume) your last term. You may be asked to appear before an academic review committee, which if you are not living in the same town as your college, could be an inconvenience. Just my two cents: grin and ignore it.

05-28-2003, 05:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ratman Addict Location: Somewhere... Across the sea...	Greg700- You may be right, except it doesn't matter. This is something you will run across for the rest of your life, so how you deal with it now will set the tone for your future. An idiot that has power is a powerful idiot. NO ONE likes to be told (or worse- proven) that they are wrong, especially not in front of those over whom he has power, by one over whom he has power. Your best approach is to listen to what he says, regurgitate what he wants. I know that is distasteful, but it is better to have an A and retain your superior knowledge, than to get a D because you're a snotty know-it all (in the prof's eyes). As you stated, this class is a required course for graduation, but not for your major. Let this idiot be an idiot and get on with your life. If you MUST correct him in order to sleep at night, DO NOT do this in class when he has no defense and you have no opportunity to enlighten him without wasting all the class time. Instead, make an appointment to see him in his office. Tell him that you are confused because of conflicting information given in your other classes, and could he please help you to understand. Do not attack him, or his views, as asinine as they may be. He still has the power to flunk your ass and hurt your GPA, or even your graduation. I know you are a hard science guy, but take this from a soft science diplomat with hard science background. The real challenge in telling someone to go to hell is leaving them looking forward to the trip. If you are confrontational, you will lose, even if you are right. Edit: I posted this at about the same time as warrrreagl, and wasn't able to read his post first. Of course you have the options he suggested. It's up to you to decide if carrying this fight beyond graduation, while you are possibly trying to get ready for work or grad school, is worth it. I would suggest so if it weren't (I assume) your last term. You may be asked to appear before an academic review committee, which if you are not living in the same town as your college, could be an inconvenience. Just my two cents: grin and ignore it. __________________ The difference between theory and reality is that in theory there is no difference. "God made man, but he used the monkey to do it." DEVO Last edited by Ratman; 05-28-2003 at 06:16 AM..