The Worry Contagion

Have you ever noticed how when other people are worried about something, they really want you to worry also? There is a lot of talk at my university about a proposed change in the tenure and promotion policy. I am of the opinion that if you work hard and are good at what you do, tenure takes care of itself. Now, granted, I am still four years away and may be singing a different tune as that time approaches. For the moment, it's not something I worry about. But others do. In a lot of the talk about tenure, there is the sense that it's something to fear, and I get that feeling from tenure-track colleagues as well as tenured faculty members. And they really want me to be worried as well. I think I've noticed this before, but the feeling is stronger these days. Perhaps I am oblivious to my impending doom, but I choose not to worry from now. Woo Hoo!