As for notoriety, speaking professionally, the previous posters are correct that, in time, you should have more control over your own agenda. It will come as you get established, and particularly as you get funding to pursue what you are most interested in. Money talks in the Ivory Tower as much as it does in the Pink Dome.

Quick Story: In a previous job, by virtue of my location, I got involved in a dispute involving the economic impacts of water shortages. It got very political because it involved Texas, the U.S., Mexico, and a lot of angry farmers in South Texas. I am not a water economist, and didn’t particularly want to devote the several years of my life to this subject that I ended up spending. Nevertheless, the experience generated attention, and then funding, and ultimately publishable research — all of which helped in getting futures positions/promotions. And now I am freer to focus on things of my own choosing, which is a very gratifying aspect of working in the Ivory Tower. Regards, JR

Thanks for your comment. I don’t think it’s an unreasonable desire, to be able to protect yourself, or I wouldn’t have studied and taught martial arts for so many years. My principle concerns are that the training requirements are insufficient, and that the risk is mis-apportioned. In the course of my activism, I’ve met a lot of individuals who are responsible and a lot who are irresponsible. They all believe themselves responsible, and that makes me very uncomfortable.

Thanks for your note.

John

I’m coming from a mish-mash of sides here. I am a Ph.D., I “play” academia while working for the Texas A&M University system in adult education around the State.

Because of where I come from and what I do (travel, work, parent) I have chosen the responsibility (and potential liability) of having a Texas CHL and being armed in all the legal places that I can be. I view it as just another form of insurance against extremely rare but potentially catastrophic events. From that perspective, I would prefer to be able to carry inside my university office building just like I can outside that building. I would prefer to have the choice, and I’m comfortable with other CHLs making that choice for themselves. I understand that we differ on this matter of policy, but that’s not unusual in academia.

Anyway: You’re getting attention because you have chosen to be excellent at whatever you do, even in the face of tragedy, and you will not compromise that. Those ARE your terms. Don’t dismiss that.

You’re John Woods, gun control activist. You’re also John Woods, scientist. Ph.D. candidate. Graduate of Virginia Tech. Black belt. Chef. Dancer. Listener of good music. Total geek. Mohawk-John.

You’re doing what you can to help promote a cause that means a lot to you. But you’re also doing your own work, original work, and I’m confident that you will be known for it. Maybe not in the same circles exactly… but you will be known for what you do.