tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post111019542101199282..comments2024-03-28T18:17:00.135-05:00Comments on Computational Complexity: The Researcher's DilemmaLance Fortnowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06752030912874378610noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1110433197879520562005-03-09T23:39:00.000-06:002005-03-09T23:39:00.000-06:00Gilad, your "nice guy" sounds like my theory advis...Gilad, your "nice guy" sounds like my theory advisor. I wanted to work in "xxx" where "xxx" was considered purely a database issue at the time. He said "xxx is down the hall." So I did something that was an acceptable theory topic at the time for my Ph.D. Two years later, after more than a few articles had been published in theory journals on the topic of "xxx," by the leaders in the field, he had a student working exclusively on it.... <br /><br />He is a nice guy. And not just for getting interested in "xxx," after the fact. <br /><br />I guess it's my fault for not being a better salesman. <br /><br />Word to the newbies who want to work in a new area: You have to sell your topic to your advisor. Keywords: sales, funding agencies, commerical interest, interesting theorems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1110363839309087582005-03-09T04:23:00.000-06:002005-03-09T04:23:00.000-06:00Note that what you're describing is akin to Kohn's...Note that what you're describing is akin to Kohn's shift of paradigms. George may ignore it for a while, but eventually, once overwhelming results convince him otherwise, he'll already have tenure and be able to ignore it for the rest of his career... If he's a nice guy he'll try and learn some stuff and help the youngsters...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3722233.post-1110299638982430602005-03-08T10:33:00.000-06:002005-03-08T10:33:00.000-06:00George should stay abreast of the new field and co...George should stay abreast of the new field and continue extending the old field.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com