type
Post
status
Published
date
Apr 26, 2024
slug
the-world-is-a-circus
summary
人人都是草台班子上的配角
tags
thoughts
life
reflection
category
Life
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The world is a circus. The people you think are impressive might not be that great, and the people you look down on might have skills you can't imagine. Countries, life, everything -- nothing is perfect.
Got chewed out by my advisor recently. My paper review wasn't good enough -- I'll own that. But honestly, he never actually taught me how to do a review. I know people will say, you're a PhD student, figure it out yourself. Sure, but if I could learn everything on my own, why did I come all the way to America?
A first-time PhD student and a first-time advisor -- we both had room to improve. Once I figured that out, I actually felt better. Remember to have empathy, and don't put anyone on a pedestal, including yourself.
Here's a ridiculous story. We had a gas leak at home. The agency didn't handle the stove-to-electric conversion properly. We thought the smell was from cooking. The repair guy came, found the leak, and told me -- I need to report this, and then someone will come fix it. Bro, you're literally in my house right now.
Look at the world -- wars everywhere. What are those people starting wars even thinking? Don't they want their countries to thrive? Of course there are complex reasons behind it all, but ordinary people are always the innocent ones.
Same thing in research. Switched topics and still figuring things out. Only got a lit review done so far. My advisor has favorites -- I can see it clearly, but there's no point arguing about it. Like taste in food, everyone has preferences. Just do your own work, publish papers, graduate. That's what matters.
One thing I've figured out: the world is just a big show. Between countries, between advisors and students -- it's all messy and unpredictable. All you can do is work hard in your own lane and let the results speak.
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