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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author jokes about relaxing his usual dislike for pretentious academics, noting he doesn't add titles to his own name despite having no degree himself.
In plain terms
He jokes about ignoring his snobbery against pretentious scholars since he doesn't use titles either.
What can you take from it?
Titles often signal pretension more than expertise.

Where it applies

  • reading book reviews
  • academic criticism
  • casual conversation

Putting it to work

  • writing reviews
  • discussing authors
  • mocking pretension

Questions to consider

  • Do titles matter in authorship?
  • Is academic humility rare?

Another view

It assumes all Ph.D. holders are pretentious.

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