Aging Quote by Aaron Elkins
“His students were hardly in a position to tell him when he was getting windy, and he had recently noticed, as most professors did after a while, that his lectures mysteriously seemed to be getting longer with time.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Professor's Dilemma, 2019
He notices his lectures lengthening as students fail to signal when he's rambling, reflecting a lack of feedback loop.
In simple terms: Lectures get longer because students don't tell him when he's off track.
Key Takeaway
Seek regular feedback to keep talks concise.
Themes
communication
teaching
feedback
self-awareness
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- academic seminars
- corporate presentations
- online webinars
Key Concepts
lecture dynamics
audience engagement
time management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a speaker encourage honest audience signals?
- What mechanisms improve feedback in teaching?
A Different Perspective
Students may be reluctant to interrupt, hindering real‑time correction.
