We’re inconvenient. We’re in the way. We require retraining – decades of retraining. Don’t bother with us, we want to say. It’s too late for us. We’ll be too much trouble. We don’t want you to waste your time.
Haven’t you got other things to do? we want to say. Aren’t there more pressing matters to which you have to attend? We’re a lost cause – all but lost. We’re a time-consuming cause. We’re too much!
Aren’t there things to organise! we want to say. Things to manage! Other than us! Everyone’s busy! Everyone’s pushed for time!
We’re stubborn, we want to say. We’re stuck in our ways. Why trouble yourselves with us? Seriously, it’s not worth it. We’re the last people you should be bothering with.
Which, for them, means we’re the first people they should bother with. If they can crack us, they can crack anyone. If they can discipline philosophy, then the university is theirs. If they can bring philosophy to heel! If they can show philosophy who’s boss! If they can train the untrainable! Manage the unmanageable! … Then the secret of world domination is theirs.
Work in Progress 