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I want you to ponder this question for a second:
"Freedom to choose ... or freedom from choice — which is more liberating?"
Good question, right? Let's talk about this, because it's important to your academic life.
Look, we all love having choices, but too much choice is actually paralyzing. It takes a lot of effort. It can be overwhelming.
Shop for toothpaste lately? This is what it looked like last time I was in CVS. And that's just for ONE brand!
My guess is you grab whatever you're used to getting.
Point being: We AVOID choice because it makes us LESS free, not more.
Let that sink in.
So let's pivot this to what I normally write about (toothpaste is not my normal rant, as you know). Look, if choice is so great, then how come NONE of the other academic societies sound good to me, anymore?
If you're a member of a different society (no judgment; I am, too), then I'll bet you joined simply to present or attend one of their academic conferences. Other than that, you don't really expect to receive any benefits from them.
And you do that because it's easier. It's your default setting as an academic. We blindly accept the status quo because it's easier, even if that status quo is expensive and exploitative. It saves time and effort. The status quo is what's expected of us.
There's nothing wrong with that, it's just human nature. But imagine the transformations we could make in academia if we actually expected real benefits from our society memberships?
I'm talking about a deliberate revolution that replaces our unconscious habits with conscious expectations of something better.
Do you see this? The challenge, of course, is to make that change to something better for researchers and academics.
Let's raise our standards and enjoy the freedom that comes from cutting ourselves off from expensive and exploitative academic societies. Here's what we offer instead:
Priority Peer-Review and Publishing in SHERM Journal
Priority Peer-Review and Publishing in GCRR Press Books
Priority Peer-Review and Publishing Conference Papers/Presentations
Free Digital Subscription to SHERM Academic Journal
Eligible for “Resident Scholar” Position
40% Off Purchasing a Research Assistance Plan
40% Off Purchasing an Editing Assistance Plan
40% Off Purchasing a Research Assistance Plan
25% Off Purchasing Print Copy of SHERM Journal
25% Off Purchasing GCRR Press Paperbacks
75% Off Advertising Your Personal Website or Personal Publications on GCRR
25% Off Conference/Event Tickets
Discount on Publishing Books with GCRR Press
Eligible for GCRR Awards and Grants
Free Attendance at GCRR Sponsored Webinars
Free Access to Professional Development Training Videos
Free Access to the Scholars Forum
Network with Other Scholars and Researchers
I hope you'll consider joining the GCRR Academic Society and make an impact in the world by supporting researchers of religion around the globe. We promise you won't regret it. Sincerely,
Darren M. Slade, PhD