How The American Philosophical Association Entered My Life

The American Philosophical Association first entered my life when I was twenty years old. I was finishing undergraduate school and had been admitted to a graduate school. I received a letter from them...

What did the letter say?

Of course, there are two versions here. One is the official letter. The other is the letter as it impacted me.

The letter was a sort of warning about jobs. I am sure it was carefully, and cautiously worded.

But I took it as a death sentence. I interpreted it as a message saying that at the end of my graduate career I would not have a job.

This influenced my life for many years.

It is also noteworthy that I had no one to talk with about this letter. I don't recall talking to any teachers about it. I don't recall talking to other graduate students.

So, you might, in a way, fault me. Or you might trace a certain causal chain back to my inaction.

You might say I misinterpreted the letter.

But, the truth is, that I've always been, in a way, angry about that letter......

I wonder if anyone else had this experience.