For context, here is the link to video I am discussing: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vHLof10P3MM

I am not typically the reactionary type, but I was mildly scratching my head on what to write when I came across this little snippet. In case you didn’t click on the video, I will give a quick run-down. Amy Poehler describes to Mindy Kaling what it would be like to be a college professor. On its surface, Poehler makes it sound insanely awesome to be a college professor. The way that she sold it to her guest really sounds great. While I agree that this profession is awesome and that I would not trade it for anything, a lot is missed in the summation. So, I will critique this in a fashion that hopefully sheds light on what we do.

The mention of a 10 AM class sounds dreadful to me. In my mind, the earlier the better. If I could teach at sunrise, I would be the happiest human alive. I know my students would dread it because there is only so much someone can learn while reading notes through one bloodshot eye. I need early risers because they are up for a challenge, and they are most likely organized. By 10 AM, most of humanity is shuffling around, but that doesn’t mean that they are aware of their surroundings. The same typically applies in the classroom.

Teaching 150 students? No, thank you. I have taught in large lecture halls, and I was never a fan. I never got a chance to really know any of my students. I like to get to know them a little bit. Large classes feel like cattle calls, with very little humanity. I like attention, somewhat. That is why I write this blog in the first place. A couple of people read my stuff, and I feel a little validation. The sad part is that more people have probably read my ramblings here than my published work.

The notion that my lecture would go uninterrupted is hilarious to me. Unlike at comedy shows, most of the audience does not care about the material that I share. At comedy shows, there is an immediate return on investment. The customer pays to hear jokes at the door and gets an hour of comedy, unless it’s a Carrot Top show. I don’t know what that audience is getting, maybe a headache. Most students don’t understand why they have to take most of the courses that they do. It also doesn’t help that they do not see their loan money disappear before their eyes to drive home the importance of doing well in class or earning scholarships. They do not see the financial impact immediately, and I think that is a disservice to them.

Furthermore, I have to capture their attention. Since the students are not paying me directly to learn, I have to capture their attention enough to pry them away from their phones to get them to listen. In my way, I have to have a quality routine ready to go before they walk in the door. I have to ensure my material is good enough to care beyond doing the minimum to earn a passing grade.

There is a plethora of other things I could highlight here, but that is enough. Nobody needs to know about publications, service, and grading. If you know, you know. Now, I could easily turn the tables on this situation and say similar things about stand-up comedy. It must be so wonderful to walk up on stage, speak for a couple of minutes, and get a few laughs from people, but I attempted comedy. I performed it in front of a paying audience. It takes more than you think. I am just fortunate to be able to practice my set every day in class.