In need of a 3rd reader (again)

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by _T_, Sep 27, 2014.

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  1. _T_

    _T_ New Member

    I'll spare everyone the horrific details... Here is the situation.

    I submitted my completed dissertation to my committee about 6 months ago. Since then 2 of the members have given their blessings (including my Chair) but one member just did not get it... After arguing with him for 6 months over some very basic math, it became obvious to all involved that his continued involvement was not conducive to completing my degree. I've since spoke to the University and he has been removed from the committee.

    Now, however, I have to find a new 3rd reader. Does anyone from this fine group have an idea on how to find someone willing to join a committee for a dissertation that is, for all intents and purposes, completed and simply in need of an additional signature?
     
  2. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    Call Bill Gates or Donald Trump.

    You think I’m kidding?

    When I did my M.A. and needed a field faculty advisor, I called a leading scholar in my field out of the blue, and he said yes. He ended up sticking with me through my PhD. program as one of my two adjunct professors.

    When I needed a second adjunct from outside the university for my doctoral committee, I called yet another leading scholar in my field out of the blue, and not only did he say yes, he became the most valuable member of my committee.

    You’re talking about a lot less work at this point – merely reading and passing you on your dissertation.

    So think about the authors or entrepreneurs who have impressed the socks off of you during your doctoral studies and yes, call one out of the blue and ask him or her to serve in the capacity of our third (and, at this point, most valuable) reader. Be prepared to butter up, flatter, and kiss ass – and make sure you’ve done your research on that person’s accomplishments. You might be surprised at whom you can get.

    That will be five cents, please…
    _______________________

    P.S. I’m not even sure that Gates or Trump graduated college in the first place, let alone that they have doctorates. But do you actually think TUI would turn either of them down? (Other then people of their caliber, you will, of course, need someone with a doctorate in your field. Start with authors and work from there.)
     
  3. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Sending you a PM

    Shawn
     
  4. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Steve's strategy is how I got Erich Fromm on my committee. Nothing lost by trying.

    The evidence is that Trump is reachable. In a splendid prank, Spy Magazine once sent a check for 87 cents to 50 billionaires, from something like the "Refund Office" saying that this amount was overpaid in a recent deposit. Nearly all of the 87-cent checks were deposited -- but only two recipients personally endorsed the back of the check: Donald Trump and Adnan Kashogi.
     
  5. _T_

    _T_ New Member

    Leave it up to the folks here at DI to come up with some very creative ideas...
    Thanks for sharing, and please, keep them coming.
     
  6. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Just for the record, Mr. Trump did graduate (Wharton) and Mr. Gates left Harvard without completing a degree. He elected to run some fledgling business called um... Microsoft, I think.

    Neither has an earned doctorate. Mr. Gates has at least seven honorary doctorates, including one from Harvard. Mr. Trump has two that I know of, both in the field of business. One is from Liberty University, the other from Robert Gordon University in Scotland. The Scottish award was not without controversy, as a professor returned his own honorary doctorate to the university, in protest against Mr. Trump's award.

    None of the above is important. What IS important, Steve, is your fine advice. As always, a great read. :smile:

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 29, 2014
  7. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    You must be a fun guy to have dinner & drinks with. I'm sure I could ask you about absolutely anything and you'd know a thing or two or twelve about it!
     
  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Not necessarily - I'm pretty much a complete fake. Actually, I read long ago about their education, so that was easy. And I just looked up the honorary degree info while I was posting - SO simple!

    I don't drink any more, but I'm more fun now! As for dinner -- well, OK if you're buying. :smile: By coincidence, this morning I was re-reading one of my most treasured freebies - an impressive-looking book Mr. Trump wrote some years back, about 200-odd ways to develop a Trump mindset on the path to riches. He was running Trump University at the time, but later, the New York Board of Regents expressed objection to his use of the word "University." I believe the school was subsequently re-named The Trump Institute of Entrepreneurship.

    I've had some legitimate software freebies from the Microsoft site, but never a book on how to think like Bill Gates. Now that would be something!
    And yes, John - a "tell-all" book by Adnan Kashoggi would indeed be fascinating. Or one by Steve Levicoff, for that matter. :smile:

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 30, 2014
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Nope - that's Levicoff -- or maybe Bear! Definitely not me. :smile:

    Johann
     
  10. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Johann: "...an impressive-looking book Mr. Trump wrote some years back..."

    John: As it happens, I'm slowly updating my book, "The #1 New York Times Bestseller." A trivia book about #1 bestsellers. Only two authors were accused, reliably I believe, of buying their way onto the bestseller list, by requiring legions of their minions to buy many copies of their book, all on the same day. Trump was one, J. Edgar Hoover was the other. Michael Jackson was a third, sort of: he urged his followers to buy his book on a given day. It surged from nowhere to become #1, for one week, then was gone from the list forever.

    My favorite trivia in the book: only five authors have had both the #1 fiction bestseller and the #1 non-fiction bestseller. Hemingway, Steinbeck, William Styron, and two very improbable ones.
     
  11. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    This is very interesting to know! As it happens, I'm not one of The Donald's minions. The book in question wasn't a full-length thingy, like his "Art of the Deal," etc. It was a promo-piece, given away by download in exchange for allowing the Trump Org. to send you email, advertising seminars, mentors etc.

    Still, it was pretty good, I thought. One of the best tips, as I saw it, was to be sure to learn at least one new thing every day; examples included a new type of mortgage, new building material, etc. I still consciously try to do this, but I've wandered pretty far from real estate. My "new thing" might be a programming technique, a few words of another language, something for the garden, a couple of guitar licks, something about 19th-Century French poetry -- it varies.

    After all, there's more than one aspect to riches. :smile:

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 30, 2014
  12. _T_

    _T_ New Member

    Well, I originally asked the question, and now I am able to answer it...
    After being faced with the situation described in my original post and reaching out to the DI community, I found the answer. The answer is simply to ask the kind folks here at DI! Yes, you have read that correctly...
    After my original post, several individuals selflessly offered their time and expertise to assist. With the help of the individuals here on DI I found a qualified committee member whose input allowed me to improve and defend my dissertation and, (most importantly) officially complete my degree.

    I'm taking the time to tell this short story to simply remind the long time / active members of this forum just how important DI can be (and is) to many others. Without the members of this forum I may have never been able to realize my life long dream of completing a Ph.D. With that being said, while I may never be able to repay my debt to this forum (and the specific individuals who helped), I will do my best to assist in any way I can.
     
  13. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Stephen King and E.B. White? I can't even think of who else it might be.

    By the way, that's fascinating you had Erich Fromm on your committee. He wrote an essay that was included in my copy of 1984 saying that while it's mainly thought of as an anti-government story, Orwell's concept of doublethink is just as prevalent in the corporate world. It was a good point, had shades of Wilhelm Röpke.

    It's also worth noting that reaching out to an expert you don't know but who impresses you is how Rich Douglas got John Bear on his committee. So the beat goes on.

    (In fact, look out, Trent, because I may ask you in a year or so!)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 23, 2015
  14. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    STEVE:
    Quote Originally Posted by John Bear View Post
    My favorite trivia in the book: only five authors have had both the #1 fiction bestseller and the #1 non-fiction bestseller. Hemingway, Steinbeck, William Styron, and two very improbable ones.
    Steve: Stephen King and E.B. White? I can't even think of who else it might be.

    John: Good guesses, since both have extensive popular writing in fiction and non-fiction genres. But wrong. Think Book of Lists. Think Green Eggs and Ham.

    --John Bear, author "The #1 New York Times Bestseller" and other stuff
     
  15. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    wonderful news doctor!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  16. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Congratulations on your accomplishment!
     

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