So the other day, Justin sends me an email: “Hey Louie, do you remember how you used to write personalized advice columns for academics over at Daily Nous?”

“Dimly.”

“They involved a lot of lists?  Really, really wordy ones?”

“Oh, right, those.”

“You stopped writing ‘em.”

“Yeah.”

“Rather abruptly.”

“Yeah.”

“Without telling me.”

“Yeah.”

“Any particular reason for that?”

“Well, I solved everyone’s problems.”

“What?”

“Yep.  Everyone’s fine now.”

“Uh.”

“Uh?”

“No one’s fine.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, man.”

“Well, that’s a shame.”

“You didn’t notice?”

“I took some pretty excellent naps.”

“I see.”

“Me and teddy.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“Me too.”

“Look, let’s start Ought Experiment back up again.  Say, next month?”

“When we announce it, can we say I’m the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now?”

“No.”

“Can you just say it to me, privately?”

“No.”

“Can we call it Season Two?”

“Fine.”

“I’m in!”

—-

All quips aside, after a year of fielding questions and watching discussions unfold in the comment threads, I’m as convinced as ever of two basic ideas: that most of the problems academics face are widely shared, and that things are better for all of us if we can just be open about it.  So as the column comes back from summer break, if you’re in over your head, or if you think you’re the only one dealing with whatever it is, or if you just need a second opinion, then send me a confidential email at [email protected].  We’ll talk it through.

Season Two of Ought Experiment debuts next month, on Daily Nous.

— Louie Generis