Bob Jones (2) (1939–)

When I bought this book, I thought it was a non fiction account of the state of university education in NZ. Then I started reading it and very quickly realised it was not. What it is is hilarious. And this is from someone who doesnt really like satirical books.

The story unfolds from the perspective of Professor Trout (that was the first clue it was a funny story), his university has a new Vice Chancellor who is there to shake up the university, run it like a business and earn some money. New disciplines that will be taught include Line dancing, Astrology (which replaces the too hard and unpopular Astronomy), Hamburgerology, Rubenesque studies (where fat people protest at weight watchers meetings for their "in the field" component of the degree) and Panelbeating Studies.

Academic publications are to be limited to books that "pass the riot police" test, in that the crowds outside book shops on the first day of publication are so big, riot police are needed to control them. Vice Chancellor talks in nonsensical business talk, using the phrase "going forward" in every exchange, and gets everybody's name wrong all the time.

And underneath all this fun and nonsense is a debate about the humanities vs sciences and which is more valid and useful in todays business focussed work world. The selling off of universities resources and sponsoring of departments to keep them afloat. All very clever and a pleasure to read.… (altro)