The Static of Real Life

If only there were a way to be free of real life, we could all become great thinkers. "Sure," you say, "because we are all equal in our potential." No, it isn't that. Some would undoubtedly be greater than others. But Einstein credits his job as a patent clerk for giving him the freedom to think. Work stayed in the office and didn't require much of him, so when he was not at work, he could focus on his theories. We could all use at least one year of that, and I mean an uninterrupted year.

One of the great joys of teaching—probably the greatest, in fact—is seeing the results of instruction manifest in student work. Sadly, there is a darker side to this. Sometimes students turn in work that doesn't even address the assignment. Altogether too often, they turn in work that isn't their own. The frst two times I found plagiarism, I took it personally, but I have learned my lesson. Sadly, my sternest warnings go unheeded by someone each semester.

Somehow, no matter how I try, plagiarism enters my classroom every semester. While I no longer take it personally, it, to put it bluntly, pisses me off. There must be a cure, an innoculation. We can prevent all kinds of viruses and infections with injections of live attenuated viruses, or even dead ones in many cases. I want that kind of immunization for plagiarism. Let me know when you find it.