Oh my. I’m a historian with an academic job and one book, followed by a disastrous TBI. The second book — required for promotion— may or may not happen, for all of the reasons you describe. At least I had tenure before the breaking. The feelings of inadequacy are so very real...
loved this comic. I've long been trying to convince my mom (she has a music theory BA and works as a history museum curator) that she's a historian even if she doesn't have all the systemic credentials.
I think comics, video games, YouTube videos, all have a place in the study (academic or not) of history no less legitimate than books!
I Love This! I Taught History for "Two Score and Seven (47) Years" and I'm still not sure if I'm a "Historian". However, since I've been forgetting things lately, I Call Myself "The Absent-Minded Historian"!
How about having little brain and you submit a comic to the American historical review? That might feel even better than a book— to publish the first comic in the AHR! Here’s the link for History Unclassified, designed as a space for experimental history narratives. https://academic.oup.com/ahr/pages/history_unclassified
I do not think that Historian = Book Author, and I don't believe many people feel that way anymore. The academic book has long been a fraud, a niche thing that sells a few hundred copies and is read by tens and appreciated by twos and threes. It is the emperor's new clothes, or what Vonnegut called a grandfalloon. My working definition of historian is anyone who does original research and presents their finding to an audience. Sound like anyone you see in the mirror?
And consider influence. Writing a book is perhaps the least influential thing a historian can do. Far more people see the average museum exhibit than read the average academic book. Same goes for digital projects, historic preservation, and teaching. All reach more people than the average book.
Just love this comic. Especially the line about "What is there a licensing exam? A state board?". That really captures it. I am also as historian, an archivist, an administrator, and an aspiring cartoonist and I wanted to commend you on how you accurately portray all the professional issues that arise. Also, I shared your "Imposter Syndrome" comic with a student and he pointed out that the sun can't be an imposter! So good. Thank you for what you do. I would love to connect via email about possible future collaboration, if you are interested!
Oh my. I’m a historian with an academic job and one book, followed by a disastrous TBI. The second book — required for promotion— may or may not happen, for all of the reasons you describe. At least I had tenure before the breaking. The feelings of inadequacy are so very real...
loved this comic. I've long been trying to convince my mom (she has a music theory BA and works as a history museum curator) that she's a historian even if she doesn't have all the systemic credentials.
I think comics, video games, YouTube videos, all have a place in the study (academic or not) of history no less legitimate than books!
I Love This! I Taught History for "Two Score and Seven (47) Years" and I'm still not sure if I'm a "Historian". However, since I've been forgetting things lately, I Call Myself "The Absent-Minded Historian"!
How about having little brain and you submit a comic to the American historical review? That might feel even better than a book— to publish the first comic in the AHR! Here’s the link for History Unclassified, designed as a space for experimental history narratives. https://academic.oup.com/ahr/pages/history_unclassified
This is wonderful and brave.
I do not think that Historian = Book Author, and I don't believe many people feel that way anymore. The academic book has long been a fraud, a niche thing that sells a few hundred copies and is read by tens and appreciated by twos and threes. It is the emperor's new clothes, or what Vonnegut called a grandfalloon. My working definition of historian is anyone who does original research and presents their finding to an audience. Sound like anyone you see in the mirror?
And consider influence. Writing a book is perhaps the least influential thing a historian can do. Far more people see the average museum exhibit than read the average academic book. Same goes for digital projects, historic preservation, and teaching. All reach more people than the average book.
Just love this comic. Especially the line about "What is there a licensing exam? A state board?". That really captures it. I am also as historian, an archivist, an administrator, and an aspiring cartoonist and I wanted to commend you on how you accurately portray all the professional issues that arise. Also, I shared your "Imposter Syndrome" comic with a student and he pointed out that the sun can't be an imposter! So good. Thank you for what you do. I would love to connect via email about possible future collaboration, if you are interested!