Thread by @guido_meijer

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.