Well, now that I've poked fun at emphasis on advanced degrees (some may think so as to deflect attention from the fact that I reported - not excitedly, I might point out - a bum steer), I'll tell an anecdote to a similar end.
Quite a while ago, I was heavily involved, as a representative of the telephone industry, in the industry standards work that resulted in the development of ASCII and several collateral standards.
One major computer company that was heavily involved (I won't at this tIme Be naMing it) was thought by some to actually be working to prevent the emergence of the ASCII standard for various reasons of marketing strategy.
In any case, they often invited to our discussion sessions members of their research laboratories, who would present "papers" on various issues that were before the committee. Often, these seemed to cast doubts on the principles on which the work was proceeding, on a very non-political, institutional basis, of course.
They were always introduced as "Dr. John Smith of our research laboratories." That hardly impressed the members, many of whom held advanced degrees.
At one meeting, the fellow that was to make such a presentation in the afternoon sat next to me. During a morning break, he said to me, "Gosh! I've never given a presentation to such a body before. I'm a little nervous." I assured him that there was certainly no need for that - this wasn't the Royal Academy of Science!
He said, "Well, I'm unsure about the protocol here. How do the members address one another, or refer to visitors?"
I said, "Oh we just reference everybody by their first names - except for those that are introduced as 'Doctor'. We call them 'Mister' ".
He nodded, and then excused himself and went to speak briefly to the head of his company's delegation.
That afternoon, for his presentation, he was introduced as "James Jones of our research laboratories".
Best regards,
Doug
