Academics, industry, and our society: Looking back to three quarters of academic study

I have done three quarters of academic studies. It was not the first time, for I had done my masters, but it was a much more systematic one.

We discuss, critique, and write a lot. Almost several times weekly. Writing becomes almost second nature for any academics to function. Its a sin, an abnormality, for an academic who do not write well. Therefore, writing is fundamental and very important. Writing aside, I felt that it is secondary to be able to think. In the academic world, there are many disciplines. And its likely for anyone to find one which suit one's interests and orientations, any types of orientation including those remotely useful. Also theories abound. It is very common to be talking to a contemporary academic who would tell you, "There are many theories and you should pick those that are useful to you." If we replace 'theories' with 'truths,' "There are many truths and you should pick those that are useful to you," and you sounds like a lawyer.

Yes, I think to some extend, academics need to have a flair for intelligent debates, much like a lawyer did. And perhaps also with a touch of charm. It is inevitable thus that academics may not always be telling things that are useful, though the best ones make them sound useful. But nevertheless, academics are not god. Their ideas are not flawless. But they have a special function in our society. That of speaking for, writing for, recording events, critique events, and setup an environment for healthy (gentlemanly, logically, and rigorous) debate. While most academics treat publications as the final step for any research, its really just at the beginning of a lengthy and on going process of discovery - what is the truth?

Industries need not read scientific papers. But if they do not, and still able to function, there are two possibilities: (1) They work is repetitive and requires little innovations, (2) Their work is so fast and complicated that writings are not the best way to develop ideas. (1) is more akin traditional work such as textile and restaurant. (2) is more akin to art production such as movie making. However, most fields require to keep in touch with other people outside their immediate circle of contacts to continually develop ideas. Academic conferences, workshops, and publications, which keep up with a healthy amount of rant on relevant topics is a good place to start. One, academics are notoriously vicious and stringent when it comes to how to perform and write about research. Some circles always require numbers, some requires qualitative studies, some vast amount of data, others a lot of theories. It depends on what you need.

However, being in the industry for several years, I do not see innovation as a one-way traffic from the academics into the industry. Rather, its a two-way exchange. Industries loosing interests in a particular research circle is one clear indication of disconnectedness. Industries attending any conferences, or being part of any research is a clear sign of birth of innovativeness. It makes academics look good.

However, industries are still very different from academics. For one, industries are extremely practical and motives is clear, often to earn money out of an investment. Therefore, they are looking at good ideas that fit. If they have a strong infrastructure of programmers, they will be interested in how to best organize them, but not perhaps interested in hardware design techniques. An idea manifest in the real world infrastructure: they merge, interact, and become tangible.

In order for the symphony of academics and industries to perform well, we need both to be present and take part in the performance. A stage to be had, and pieces to perform. Looking back at my country, it is not clear how this will happen in Singapore. But in the US, industries are active in the academics circle. They attend workshops and conferences, sacrificing their weekends. Academics as well, require such fundings to further their research, such as funding their students. It takes two hands clapping, and they are.

Moving forward, it is indeed a reflection within myself, on how I should make the best of my academics years. Writing is utmost in my agenda, and I need to understand my audiences. Much like selling. Last three quarters, I have written a great deal of short passages. In the coming weeks, I will put up the ones I like onto this blog. It is a way to put forward my thinking, and for me to trace my own thoughts and development.