Dr. Syntax
@drsyntax.bsky.social
Scholar & Writer. Professing 18th & 19th c. literature, Romanticism, disability, book history, bookbinding, and comics.
PhD @PennEnglish https://www.coloradocollege.edu/basics/contact/directory/people/richman_jared_s.html
PhD @PennEnglish https://www.coloradocollege.edu/basics/contact/directory/people/richman_jared_s.html
Make a Bond movie academic
"Dr. No One Wants to Hire"
"Dr. No One Wants to Hire"
Make a Bond movie academic
Tomorrow Never Hires
Tomorrow Never Hires
Make a Bond Movie academic
Best, Russia
Best, Russia
December 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Make a Bond movie academic
"Dr. No One Wants to Hire"
"Dr. No One Wants to Hire"
Wonderful to spend time with my family this holiday season.
But it also makes me miss those I lost in the last year: my doctoral advisor (Stuart Curran), my uncle (Richard Diamond), and my mom (Ann-Louise Richman). May their memories be a blessing.
But it also makes me miss those I lost in the last year: my doctoral advisor (Stuart Curran), my uncle (Richard Diamond), and my mom (Ann-Louise Richman). May their memories be a blessing.
December 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Wonderful to spend time with my family this holiday season.
But it also makes me miss those I lost in the last year: my doctoral advisor (Stuart Curran), my uncle (Richard Diamond), and my mom (Ann-Louise Richman). May their memories be a blessing.
But it also makes me miss those I lost in the last year: my doctoral advisor (Stuart Curran), my uncle (Richard Diamond), and my mom (Ann-Louise Richman). May their memories be a blessing.
Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brought you a toy you love as much as Bess loves her new gingerbread girl.
December 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brought you a toy you love as much as Bess loves her new gingerbread girl.
Waiting for dough to rise so I can make the cinnamon rolls ahead. future me will thank me (I hope).
December 25, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Waiting for dough to rise so I can make the cinnamon rolls ahead. future me will thank me (I hope).
EAP, his telltale heart, and his raven wish you all a Merry Christmas
December 25, 2025 at 5:18 AM
EAP, his telltale heart, and his raven wish you all a Merry Christmas
A dating app for #bookbinders called “Bindr”
December 24, 2025 at 7:46 PM
A dating app for #bookbinders called “Bindr”
I don't want to control the whole world, but I would very much like god-like powers enabling me to control my own world.
December 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I don't want to control the whole world, but I would very much like god-like powers enabling me to control my own world.
Love seeing my teenagers rock out to Kate Bush. Thank you, Stranger Things!
a group of people are posing for a picture in front of a grave of casey cole
ALT: a group of people are posing for a picture in front of a grave of casey cole
media.tenor.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Love seeing my teenagers rock out to Kate Bush. Thank you, Stranger Things!
I think I'm vaguely obsessed with poetic meter. It's the thing I keep coming back to in my writing about poetry. I can't stop thinking about it. Maybe because it has to do with time?
December 23, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I think I'm vaguely obsessed with poetic meter. It's the thing I keep coming back to in my writing about poetry. I can't stop thinking about it. Maybe because it has to do with time?
Wonderful. Just what I needed tonight.
I think we need a mega thread of everyone's craziest archive stories.
December 23, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Wonderful. Just what I needed tonight.
I was feeling really angry and morose. But then I drank a glass of wine (or two) and put on Vince Guraldi, and now the world seems better.
a group of peanuts characters are ice skating
ALT: a group of peanuts characters are ice skating
media.tenor.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:56 AM
I was feeling really angry and morose. But then I drank a glass of wine (or two) and put on Vince Guraldi, and now the world seems better.
Finals graded. Final grades submitted. The semester is over. Time to start prepping for next semester.
bart simpson sits at a podium while a man stands in front of a door
ALT: bart simpson sits at a podium while a man stands in front of a door
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Finals graded. Final grades submitted. The semester is over. Time to start prepping for next semester.
*Close your email for two weeks, man. Just do it.*
a man is sitting at a desk using a dell computer monitor
ALT: a man is sitting at a desk using a dell computer monitor
media.tenor.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
*Close your email for two weeks, man. Just do it.*
Delighted to see William Godwin's superb novel, Caleb Williams, trending. #18C #CalebWilliams #Godwin
December 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Delighted to see William Godwin's superb novel, Caleb Williams, trending. #18C #CalebWilliams #Godwin
Whenever I think about using AI to summarize essays, articles, books, etc. I think of that scene from "Good Will Hunting" where Will's girlfriend (played by Minne Driver) balks at Will's offer to do her organic chemistry homework. She says, "I actually have to learn this!" That's the point.
a woman wearing glasses and a black jacket is looking at something
ALT: a woman wearing glasses and a black jacket is looking at something
media.tenor.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Whenever I think about using AI to summarize essays, articles, books, etc. I think of that scene from "Good Will Hunting" where Will's girlfriend (played by Minne Driver) balks at Will's offer to do her organic chemistry homework. She says, "I actually have to learn this!" That's the point.
I have an essay I've been working on for a long time. I can't afford to pay anyone to help me edit and finish it, but I would consider starting a cult and worshipping you for eternity if you could help me finish this darn thing.
a cartoon character is kneeling down next to another character
ALT: a cartoon character is kneeling down next to another character
media.tenor.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I have an essay I've been working on for a long time. I can't afford to pay anyone to help me edit and finish it, but I would consider starting a cult and worshipping you for eternity if you could help me finish this darn thing.
Do lawyers or physicians have these discussions about their respective job markets? I'm guessing no, but I can't believe academics are the only ones who obsess over the dismal prospects of their profession.
December 19, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Do lawyers or physicians have these discussions about their respective job markets? I'm guessing no, but I can't believe academics are the only ones who obsess over the dismal prospects of their profession.
Reposted by Dr. Syntax
A PhD is a wonderful experience (sometimes) where you learn a lot. But they are still designed to drive students to jobs that do not exist, led by wonderful well meaning faculty who do not know any existence outside of an R1 school environment. It's neither whiny nor ridiculous to warn people.
December 19, 2025 at 9:31 PM
A PhD is a wonderful experience (sometimes) where you learn a lot. But they are still designed to drive students to jobs that do not exist, led by wonderful well meaning faculty who do not know any existence outside of an R1 school environment. It's neither whiny nor ridiculous to warn people.
Maybe we shouldn't offer pensions to those in elected office, especially not to those who only serve for five years. Maybe not even ten years. Heck, maybe we should have some term limits.
December 19, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Maybe we shouldn't offer pensions to those in elected office, especially not to those who only serve for five years. Maybe not even ten years. Heck, maybe we should have some term limits.
Reposted by Dr. Syntax
For non-UK undergrads considering an MA degree abroad: Durham University is offering partial scholarships for our 1-year programme. As co-Director of the MA in English, I am happy to answer questions about our degree. Deadline 16 January. Tell your students! www.durham.ac.uk/study/schola...
Postgraduate - Durham University
www.durham.ac.uk
December 19, 2025 at 8:56 PM
For non-UK undergrads considering an MA degree abroad: Durham University is offering partial scholarships for our 1-year programme. As co-Director of the MA in English, I am happy to answer questions about our degree. Deadline 16 January. Tell your students! www.durham.ac.uk/study/schola...
Is he dead or dying?
You drive a hard bargain, Mr. President, but I accept your terms.
December 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Is he dead or dying?
A stunning, heartbreaking personal essay that is not what it seems at the start.
Keep reading.
Keep reading.
Opinion | Why I Keep Returning to Middle-Earth
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
A stunning, heartbreaking personal essay that is not what it seems at the start.
Keep reading.
Keep reading.
Reposted by Dr. Syntax
I keep telling brilliant students not to get PhDs not because they aren't capable, but because if I show them the job boards for the last couple of years and the graphs, not even the fabled hubris of an undergrad who wants to be a professor can get through. There are no jobs.
December 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I keep telling brilliant students not to get PhDs not because they aren't capable, but because if I show them the job boards for the last couple of years and the graphs, not even the fabled hubris of an undergrad who wants to be a professor can get through. There are no jobs.
I mean, yeah. ‘Twas always thus (at least the last 20 years).
THERE ARE NO JOBS IN ACADEMIA! NO JOBS! DOZENS OF HYPER QUALIFIED APPLICANTS PER JOB!
December 19, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I mean, yeah. ‘Twas always thus (at least the last 20 years).