5/20/2015

Direct democracy

Today I have experienced a session of direct democracy.

The inspectors visiting my institution decided to communicate with scholars directly. We gathered in our conference hall. About one hundred persons of different ages and knowledge. The inspectors were polite. However they were not aware what they were asking for.

After half an hour of boring hypocrisy the word took our labor union leader (ye, Ukrainian scholars have a labor union). He was direct and straightforward:

What about our salary? (the Academy pays average scholar one hundred bucks a month)

What about money for research and conferences ? (The Academy does not cover expenses)

What about gerontocracy ? (The re-elected president of the Academy is ninety six ! years old )

Well, after he finished the applauses were loud as hell.

I know that guy. He is rather reliable. Not anti-system type at all. However we all have that shit,  the corrupted stakeholders are feeding us with, enough. And you? What about you?