Brian’s previous title for his John the Baptist series has generated some stir. The first was taken up by Dr. Jim West on the August ’10 Biblical Studies Carnival. The second was taken up by Dr. Marc Cortez on the Western Seminary ThM blog page, and carried into the comments.
Yesterday I posted my interest in a PhD. Today I may have to retract my interest. Brian and I, two mere Master students, simply do not know enough about Seinfeld to know what was going on here—hence Brian’s post requesting help for interpreting Dr. West’s statements. Dr. Cortez obviously knew what was up (here and here).
In light of all this, there are two things I can reasonably conclude: 1) after attaining a PhD one’s time is spent immersed in Seinfeld—all day, every day; or 2) the rigors of a PhD drives one to Seinfeld addiction, possibly starting just after graduation, but more likely at some point during the program’s greatest intensity.
Since I have no intention of becoming a Seinfeld-oid, I will have to retract any excitement about and suppress any thought of pursuing a PhD. Thanks, Jim and Marc, for helping me to make this decision this early in the game!
(By the way, Nick Norelli is obviously an undercover PhD. First, Dr. Chris Tilling consults with Nick on his dissertation (also here). Next, Dr. Nick knew exactly what Dr. Jim was talking about—and Dr. Nick even knew the exact Seinfeld episode and its link to YouTube! Oh, and Dr. James McGrath tries to play innocent—although he’s more of a LOST-oid. Still…)
It is weird isn’t it? Marc talks about Battlestar Gallactica. James always write about shows like Lost. Mark Goodacre talks about Dr. Who. I think once you get a Ph.D. you are so burnt out that you decide to spend the rest of your life watching TV!
Great observations. I think this field of PhDs-that-watch-TV could be a PhD dissertation on its own!
There’s actually a secret handbook that they give you upon completing your PhD filled with all of the arcane knowledge you will need to sound educated for the rest of your life. Nick must have stolen a copy from someone.
Hmm, I guess I’ll need to follow Nick’s lead since the PhD is out of the question now. Nick,
you know my email address!I’ve got your email address!Marc,
You better keep your office locked. I may save myself some money by stealing that handbook!
this is so funny! well done!
btw- everyone watched seinfeld.
oh – and the clever use of the word ‘retraction’ in connection with ‘shrinkage’ – brilliant! subtle- and yet, obvious!
Jim,
Glad you liked it! I always enjoy your humorous posts. By “everyone” you mean all the biblical PhD’s, right?
For my Godson, a Ph.D. candidate in early Christian history, it’s Scrubs. I have no PhD yet, but I have dutifully prepared myself for it by becoming wise in the ways of Seinfeld (back when it was still on and you had to wait until Thursday to watch an episode) and of The West Wing (the first four canonical seasons, of course).
I suggest you gentlemen bring yourselves up to speed by huluing every episode of the various VH1′s I Love the ’70s/’80s/’90s and countdown shows. There is still hope.
As an aside, Dr Norelli is not a PhD — he is a D. theol. habil.
Jim is correct—everyone watched Seinfeld!
And I won’t admit to stealing anything (!) but that doesn’t mean I haven’t gotten my hands on a copy.
Oh, and Tilling only consulted me, because, well… I’m brilliant!
Esteban,
Oh no, not you too!
And does that mean we have to bow to Nick every time we see him?
Nick,
I know that Tilling’s whole “who wants to read the chapters of my thesis” post was just to cover up your brilliance. And while you may have gotten your D. theol. habil. somewhere in a remote part of Europe, you’ve been exposed here, buddy!
Esteban: You weren’t supposed to tell anyone! Well, at least you didn’t tell them that I earned 2 D. theol. habil.(s).
JohnDave: No bowing necessary. Just kiss the ring and we’ll be a-okay.
Oh, and I hardly think that Göttingen and Basel are remote! 
i love basel…. i miss basel… i need to go back.
Let’s all go together!