01-09-2012, 10:33 AM
I don't think you can really equate the MFA programmes (and we all know what the "F" stands for) with a lifetime of study 
Though it's probably true that their very rigid rules made for some complicated but bloody nigh unreadable poetry.
Surviving for a couple of thousand years does make it a little more impressive than a couple of rhymes on someone's blog... but academia nuts do tend to suck the life out of just about everything we do for pleasure. A little balance is definitely called for -- know what the rules are, then break them.
Though it's probably true that their very rigid rules made for some complicated but bloody nigh unreadable poetry.Surviving for a couple of thousand years does make it a little more impressive than a couple of rhymes on someone's blog... but academia nuts do tend to suck the life out of just about everything we do for pleasure. A little balance is definitely called for -- know what the rules are, then break them.
It could be worse