Title: Message
The 'Benchmarks'
section of the March 2004 issue of Geotimes (p. 37) describes an organization
active in Anchorage, Alaska, 20 years ago: the Society of Laid-back Unemployed
Geologists. "The first meeting (SLUGFEST) took place ... at Harry's Bar, with 24
unemployed and 5 employed geologists in attendance. The latter group was
naturally forced to buy the drinks. Of the unemployed, 3 had PhDs and 19 the MS.
Matters discussed included degree-burning parties, the unionizing of North
American geologists, and the possibility of forming their own company and hiring
each other. Somewhat more realistic was the proposal to produce and market
suitable T-shirts."
I would have a hard
time burning my doctoral degree, since it is not flammable, and besides, I'm
still using it. But I'd raise a beer to these SLUGgers, especially since
the same issue of Geotimes describes the closing down of geology research at the
Universities of Connecticut and Basel. Are the T-shirts still
available?
Andrew K.
Rindsberg
Geological Survey of
Alabama