> When I attended my first scientific conference at the tender age of 20, one of my mentors surprised me with the following bit of advice. Transcribed directly from memory:
> "You should be sure to attend the talk by so-and-so. You can always trust his results."
Perhaps around the same time, a professor said something similar to me, pointedly.
I paid attention to what I thought I heard, and I think I still remember the exact words, but in hindsight, I realize that they were probably implying something more than what I thought they were.
The bit of wisdom, which was actually a warning, whooshed over my head, so wasn't followed.
Though, if they could've known fully the fiasco that I was walking into, and had warned me directly of that in advance, I don't know that I could've believed them. :)
And I can understand why they'd speak indirectly or hesitate to say anything. Even having had this experience, and not wanting others to go through it, I still don't give advice as directly or strongly as I might, about some things. For a variety of reasons: they might be fine and not need the warning/advice, they might put too much weight on my advice, they certainly won't fully understand it, they might repeat something indiscreetly or misconstrued, there could be suppressing action against them and/or me, etc.
> When I attended my first scientific conference at the tender age of 20, one of my mentors surprised me with the following bit of advice. Transcribed directly from memory:
> "You should be sure to attend the talk by so-and-so. You can always trust his results."
Perhaps around the same time, a professor said something similar to me, pointedly.
I paid attention to what I thought I heard, and I think I still remember the exact words, but in hindsight, I realize that they were probably implying something more than what I thought they were.
The bit of wisdom, which was actually a warning, whooshed over my head, so wasn't followed.
Though, if they could've known fully the fiasco that I was walking into, and had warned me directly of that in advance, I don't know that I could've believed them. :)
And I can understand why they'd speak indirectly or hesitate to say anything. Even having had this experience, and not wanting others to go through it, I still don't give advice as directly or strongly as I might, about some things. For a variety of reasons: they might be fine and not need the warning/advice, they might put too much weight on my advice, they certainly won't fully understand it, they might repeat something indiscreetly or misconstrued, there could be suppressing action against them and/or me, etc.