Dissertation Quote by Joanna Russ
“I once asked a young dissertation writer whether her suddenly grayed hair was due to ill health or personal tragedy; she answered: “It was the footnotes”.”
About This Quote
The writer jokes that her gray hair is caused by footnotes, implying academic work can be burdensome.
In simple terms: Footnotes cause stress for scholars.
Balance research depth with personal well‑being.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing dissertations
- academic conferences
- self‑care routines
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you manage workload stress?
- What supports help maintain health during research?
Footnotes are a symptom, not the cause, of burnout.