Interesting testimony about academia's compromise. See if you can guess where it's from—I've taken out a few identifying details. Answer at the end.
"My doctoral procedure was delayed for a long time due to the lack of any concessions in the dissertation. The assessment of the scientific work was not carried out exclusively on the basis of technical evaluation. Social motives were in the foreground, as the majority of the members of the council of the philosophy faculty of the university were not able to judge the dissertation from the technical side. In this way, the value of scientific work was degraded in a humiliating way.
The increasing penetration of the Philosophical Faculty with [political] functionaries makes pure academic work without concessions to the [approved political] worldview impossible. According to the Assistant Ordinance of [year], every assistant must show "a bond with our [approved political worldview] that is expressed in social work as well as in overall behavior."
In addition, all younger scholars are obliged to deal with [the approved political worldview and] it is expected to prove the "readiness to defend" in the relevant organizations (combat groups, etc.). The orientation of all research work towards the requirements of "socialist construction" and its so-called dialectical-materialistic foundation have convinced me that under these circumstances objective scientific work is not possible."
—Testimony of a 28-year old academic, fleeing from communist East Berlin to the West, May 27, 1961
And now, I'm happy to take any questions.
This was honestly one of my favorite pieces of the year to work on. If you'd like to get your hands on this special illustrated edition of Nicholas Kotar's novella Son of the Deathless, you can get it through our Kickstarter here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1402845448/jolabokaflod-christmas-book-flood-in-a-box
We're so grateful that we were fully funded in about 4 hours, so there are new perks opening up for everyone! We're almost at our 3rd stretch goal, which is very exciting. Go on over and choose your level!
My husband Ben is creating a series of short book trailers for BERLINERS, and I swear, each one is better than the last! Here's the first! Feel free to share on your social media!
This isn't the official trailer, but I wanted to talk about how the idea for Berliners came to me. You can pre-order at https://bookshop.org/books/berliners-9780593428375/9780593428368 and, you know, that other place that starts with an "A".
Hi all,
Since I haven't been as active on here as in the past, I'm going to officially disband this Locals community. If you'd like to stay tuned with my work, the best way to do that is via my email newsletter. Just go to https://vesperillustration.com and at the bottom of every single page there is a newsletter signup. I don't send a ton of mail, just important updates like appearances and new projects. Let's see if I come back in the future, but for now, if you've been a supporter, feel free to end your support and stay in touch via the newsletter or Instagram (@vesperillustration). Thanks to all of you—nothing's over, just paused!
Vesperisms Community, dears:
I'm so excited to announce today that I am doing a collaboration with fantasy author Nicholas Kotar (the Raven Son series, and the fabulous fairy tale/fantasy podcasts In a Certain Kingdom and Fantasy for Our Time).
The dead will rise. The living will fall. The Deathless will reign...
This collaboration is a very special edition of Kotar's novella, Son of the Deathless, available in hardcover with illustrations by none other than Yours Truly—just in time for the Holidays! Here's an illustration in progress to whet your appetite.
With book design by Graphic and Surface Designer for film and television, Heather Pollington (Harry Potter, Malificent, Marvel, and more.), this is going to be a beautiful, gift-worthy edition that will be perfect for yourself or for your holiday giving. Son of the Deathless is one of those cozy winter reads that you want to pair with a warm beverage, a blanket and a crackling fire.
So how does one obtain this ...
