RE: prudence. The reason I agreed to come and blog was that it appeared to me to be a nifty intermediate between strictly academic writing (which can be a tad on the cold side at times) and writing an email to a mailing list. One needs to put thought behind the writing but it can have a more casual tone . . . it’s also an opportunity to go out on a limb, throw ideas around and see what kinds of reactions they get.

G-d only knows there’s enough griping and sniping in the world anyway without adding to it: that stuff will eventually dry up and blow away. The ideas will remain.

The content of the blog may be less worrisome than the fact of the blog itself. Several committee members expressed concern that a blogger who joined our staff might air departmental dirty laundry (real or imagined) on the cyber clothesline for the world to see. Past good behavior is no guarantee against future lapses of professional decorum.

I agree with Ozma that despite these dangers, it’s a soap box worth jumping on for all the reasons she outlines. I would apply to write a column if I was involve in a traditional job hunt, but my own circumstances are a little complicated atm.

The content of the blog may be less worrisome than the fact of the blog itself. Several committee members expressed concern that a blogger who joined our staff might air departmental dirty laundry (real or imagined) on the cyber clothesline for the world to see. Past good behavior is no guarantee against future lapses of professional decorum.