I was watching Lord of the Rings last night and realized there are many parallels with academia!
A thread 🧵👇
PI
Randomly disappears for long stretches of time. Occasionally saves the day at the last minute. Determines who shall and shall not pass.
Fourth year PhD student
Has to complete a seemingly impossible task with very little help. Always has a pained look on his face. Sighs a lot.
Nature paper
Has a great amount of power but nobody really knows why. Corrupts the hearts of men.
Tenured professor
Chairs meetings, gives speeches, talks about the past a lot. Wants to leave these shores for the land of retirement but never actually does.
Funder
Distributes gifts and glimpses of the future. Speaks in riddles.
Interns
Always hang around and often cause trouble even though they mean well.
Lab manager
Is always there for you but is treated like a servant.
First year PhD student
Full of youthful optimism, always good tempered even when times are hard. Is put on an easy, almost finished project so thinks everything is a breeze.
Technician
Does a lot if work but is underappreciated and grumpy. Drinks a lot.
Elsevier
No explanation required.
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.