It seems like the enemy, when it comes to the point in every academic's doctoral candidacy when they have to fight a snake, would be the snake. But of course that's not true - or rather, the snake is at most a metaphor (and perhaps an ally.) The true enemies here - the beloved enemies, trapped in a cycle of love and pain, loyalty and betrayal, for life - are the young academic and the institution of academia itself.

But the snake is a useful metaphor. (And also, of course, an actual snake.)

• RE: Thesis defense issue (2954 words) by kalirush
  Fandom: FAQ: The "Snake Fight" Portion Of Your Thesis Defense (McSweeney's Post) - Luke Burns
  Rating: Not Rated
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Additional Tags: Yuletide Treat, Academia, Fecklessness, Snakes, Why Did It Have To Be Snakes, Epistolary
  
  SUBJECT: Thesis defense issue



• Re: Question about snake fight (1309 words) by goseaward
  Fandom: FAQ: The "Snake Fight" Portion Of Your Thesis Defense (McSweeney's Post) - Luke Burns
  Rating: General Audiences
  Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
  Additional Tags: Epistolary, Academia, Yuletide Treat
  
  SUBJECT: Question about snake fight