A Difficult Rhode for an Intellect (closed for Anonymaso)

[LassardLost]

“Now, while us moderns may deem Aristotle’s worldview trite, to the people of his time and for a considerable time thereafter, it held sway because it was intuitive. Because it was what people actually saw when they looked at the world. You must recall that Aristotle came out of a tradition where common events were explained by the decisions of impetuous gods and goddesses. Aristotle simply called people to explain the world in terms of itself, not in terms of a man with a beard floating in the clouds. By this measure, he was calling people to rationally, empirically understand the world.”

The bell rang, but no one moved. Professor Alexander Rhodes continued.

“I’d like for you all to try something. Find your girlfriend or boyfriend or just go out on your own to the roof of the Serrota Building, and watch the stars quietly for a while. Try to put aside any of the science you know, and simply be present with your senses. I guarantee you will come to similar conclusions as did Aristotle. Though I’m sure none of you will come up with anything half as good as he did. Class dismissed.”

With those words, the noise of books going back into bags, people talking, moving to get out of the aisle, filled the auditorium.

Professor Alexander Rhodes, a forty-one old Professor of History at the Twist School of Social Sciences at the University of Edenberg, commanded presence from his students, his department staff, his colleagues and the University at large. Yes, he was a professor of History - History of Science to be exact - and yes, he was well published - he had his own text book - and yes, he had made an important impact on the way science was done in the United States through his involvement with key think tanks linked to the government. But it wasn’t just his material successes that garnered him respect.

Dr. Rhodes demanded it by his sheer presence. It was how he held himself. Dr. Rhodes always remembered your name, even if he had only met you once. Dr. Rhodes never argued. Debated, yes, but always with the height of civility. You would never hear him raise his voice. If anything, when angered, he would become quiet, and he would cast a look upon his interlocutor that would turn them against themselves. As a teacher, he was engaging, fair but strict with his time. As a member of the University faculty he was involved, politically astute, and principled. When Dr. Rhodes walked into the cafeteria, he often had a gaggle of students behind him, looking to join him for lunch and ask him questions. Once when a colleague had poked fun at him, implying that he enjoyed their company because it inflated their ego. He responded kindly that his colleague should not mistake the students’ earnest desire for learning with sycophantic behavior, and carried on. He didn’t need to insult people, not even those who attempted to insult him. Dr. Rhodes was an adult. Dr. Rhodes, was a gentleman: he need not inform people that he was also a scholar, in the truest sense of the word.

 

[Anonymaso]

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Jessica Flynn's palms were so sweaty, it was a wonder she could even hold the laser pointer she was directing at an image of Thomas Kuhn and the vital stats of his life. Her stomach was knotted with low grade terror but she was talking clearly above the lump in her throat and giving every impression of being a promising new lecturer. It was her first semester.

"... Therefore the notion of scientific truth, at any given moment, cannot be established solely by objective criteria but is defined by a consensus of a scientific community. Competing paradigms are frequently incommensurable; that is, they are competing and irreconcilable accounts of reality. Thus, our comprehension of science can never rely wholly upon "objectivity" alone. Science must account for subjective perspectives as well, since all objective conclusions are ultimately founded upon the subjective worldview of its researchers and participants."

Jessica paused as her undergrad class dutifully took down notes. How long should she allow for them to do this? She didn't want to piss them off or bore them. She licked her lips and swallowed.

"Who can tell me how this applies to his observation of 'paradigm shifts' within the global scientific community?"

A guy raised his hand and when prompted, quoted Kuhn's Wikipedia page verbatim. Probably had it open on his laptop. Great. Now what?

"Mr Lawrence supplies us with the layman's view." Jessica afforded him a small smile of condescension. "Who can give me a deeper insight that isn't on the wiki page?"

There were a couple of titters. Were they being polite or did they just consider her supremely lame?

Jessica wasn't at all sure what an acceptable amount of teasing was. She wanted to engage her students and have a sense of humour about things but was also acutely aware of the need to acquire and retain their obedience and respect. Since at five feet tall and slightly built she looked younger than most of them were, this was proving to be a little bit of an uphill struggle - or was that just her paranoid perception of things? It was so hard to tell. Jessica could feel herself at moments losing all objectivity about her work and descending into a mild level of blind panic. Most of the time she kept it at bay.

Most of the time.

A shrill bell sounded to mark the end of classes for the day and her students kept their backsides on their seats but immediately began packing away their things. Jessica raised her voice.

"Nobody has anything to offer, that's a pity. Perhaps I need to set you guys an essay on Mr Kuhn?"

She wasn't being serious. Would they know that? Did she want them to?

A student raised his hand and quoted the required textbook verbatim. Everyone else was staring at the door or rolling their eyes at her.

At least they hadn't actually left. Was that enough?

Jessica conceded the minor defeat and dismissed them tersely, reminding her class that they were expected to read around the subject, not just plod through the required subject matter and leave it at that. Jessica packed away her teaching aids in a slightly disappointed fashion, hoping to convey that she wasn't terrifically impressed by her students.

Then she sat down in her chair because the relief of her class leaving had weakened her knees. Jessica dived out the back of the building for a much needed cigarette and gave herself a thirty second 'pull yourself together, you fucking pussy' pep talk.

Then she re-applied her blood red lipstick and strode through the halls to the faculty staff room like she owned the damn college, letting her heels clack loudly and authoritatively across the floor. She had had her hair dyed the day after she knew she had gotten the job and nobody had challenged her style. She was always immaculate in a fitted blouse, pencil skirt and heels. Jessica greeted her colleagues, smiling at them like she hadn't a care in the world. Then she fetched herself a strong black coffee and set about planning the undergrad class's next lecture while everything was fresh in her mind.

 

[LassardLost]

Alexander Rhodes sat still in his maroon leather chair, his eyes, deep brown, scanning through his latest manuscript, pen in hand. The manuscript lay on his immaculate, though massive, oak desk along with a short stack of books on one side, and a single black pen-holder on the other. Behind him and to his sides, neatly organized bookshelves from floor to ceiling. On another corner of the office, some file cabinets, and in the last corner, a small table with some decoration pieces and a coffee maker.

Professor Rhodes wore a sports coat, his dark brown hair was short, and neatly combed, peppered distinguished by white strands. Today he had let go a five o'clock shadow, which somehow suited the thick, black framed glasses that he read through. The scene was one of quietude, reflection, almost tranquility.

There was a subtle knock on the door. Professor Rhodes responded without looking up from his manuscript.

"Yes?"

MaryJane, the department secretary, peeked in.

"Professor Rhodes, I'm sorry to interrupt, Sir."

Alexander put his pen down and looked at MaryJane in her eyes. He smiled warmly, a dimple forming on one side as he did. "MaryJane, I've told you how many times to not apologize. You do me a service, not the other way around."

"Uh, yes, Sir, I... just wanted to remind you that Dr. Flynn would be in today at 3 o' clock. You've been assigned as her mentor by Dr. Gerald."

Frank Gerald was the head of the Department.

"Yes, that's right. Smart lady she is, I reviewed her credentials earlier this week. Thank you for the reminder MaryJane." MaryJane nodded, seemed to blush, and hurry out of the office.

She was a good secretary MaryJane was. Always so obliging. Quintessential woman; just the way Dr. Rhodes was used to them.

It was 1:30pm. Alexander had an hour and a half to finish any further work before the rest of the afternoon was taken up by the newest addition to the Department. Associate Professor Jessica Flynn was a new hire, and she too had a special interest, it seemed from her Curriculum Vitae, in the history of science. Apparently she had been on campus now for over a week, but Alexander hadn't had the chance to meet the young lady.

He always enjoyed being able to be of guidance to the young Academicians. He adjusted his glasses, picked up his pen, and returned to his manuscript.

 

[Anonymaso]

Jessica's laptop beeped and a small dialogue box opened to remind her she was supposed to be with Dr. Rhodes in fifteen minutes. She saved her work and shut the machine down, locking it in her desk drawer. She visited the restroom and then primped for five minutes, not that she was vain, just that she wanted to look her best. Rhodes was a well respected teacher and scholar and her rapport with him would be central to her progress here. She had yet to meet the man himself but she taught mostly undergrad classes, whereas his were generally more advanced.

What should she take to her first meeting with Rhodes? Would it be an informal chat or something more involved? Jessica decided to just take her purse. She could always use her iPad if necessary for note-taking or whatever.

At two minutes to three Jessica strode up to Rhodes' assistant and introduced herself. MaryJane proved unequal to the task of concealing her shock at Jessica's appearance.

Jessica had never met one of these women that she actually liked. They hemmed in their own aspirations, remaining content to fawn over some successful man or other and spend their working lives as pretty little administrative lapdogs. When confronted with a successful woman in her own right, rather than being pleased for Jessica and afford her respect, they were impertinent, condescending and obstructive. Who the hell even needed chauvinist men in the workplace with these anti-feminist harpies gossiping and backbiting like an episode of Mad Men with PMT?

But hell, everyone at the uni had been surprised by Jessica's youthful looks and style. Maybe she shouldn't judge... yet. Wouldn't hurt to get the other woman on-side, if it could be done. Jessica thanked MaryJane warmly as she was ushered in to Rhodes' office.

He wasn't bad looking in a dishevelled way. Jessica watched his reaction to her. She approached his desk confidently and extended her right hand in expectation of a handshake.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Rhodes. I've been looking forward to meeting you."