Jack Edwards

[3calico3]

I mean, he'd be bonkers to get a PhD in English without plans to go into academia. Any other job would prefer either a more specialized degree (eg. law) or relevant work experience.
In the US, academia is crazy saturated, with more PhD graduates than available tenure-track jobs. I'm not sure if the UK has the same problem, but if it does, he should take that into consideration.

I think Jack was misguided in thinking that studying at Durham was going to mean anything once he tried to get a job. Employers don't care for the most part. A first will mean next to nothing after a few years too. Work experience is what counts, which he has zero of, and didn't prioritise at all during his degree.

We don't really have tenure in the UK, but any UK academic position is highly competitive as you say (I don't know the exact stats, but I have heard that the ratio is something like 10 PhDs being awarded : 1 postdoc/academic position available).

 

[jerihoam]

Can we have a Vee thread? I can't believe I missed the whole no mask thing?! Want to keep up!

 

[Horatio]

I also think it’s quite sad the way most of the study tubers have said nothing about Floyd/BLM after their initial postings. It feels like everythings gone back to normal now. Obviously they don’t have to post daily but a little acknowledgement

I’m in two minds about Jack specifically. Let me preface by saying I find him painfully cringey and have no interest in defending him unfairly. While I do think the average person doesn’t isnt required to perform their ‘anti-racism’ online lest they be called out, an influencer has taken on that job title which most of the time allows them to profit from the easiest and most mundane of things like their favourite cereal. So using that same influence to speak out on social injustice every now and then should be part of the role too. And yes a lot of that is done in ingorance / virtue signalling. Well, that could be improved on too, simple as that.
looking at jacks Instagram and one selfie after another along with his token ‘cheesy pun’ did look ludicrously privileged in his lack of engagement. Then I noticed he has some stories saved on ‘BLM resources.’ At first I rolled my eyes at that too- collections of links and reading lists aren’t something I find helpful or genuine. But then I saw he also did some kind of livestream that raised a decent amount of money. At that point I thought fair enough, I can’t criticise him for that and don’t know what he could’ve done better there.
So he gets half a pass from me. I wish his Instagram wasn’t so dominated by selfies and ‘uncomplicated’ posts- does anyone really need to see him so many time’s ? But I guess most influencers are guilty of that.

 

[Roz___z]

Sorry, what is this?

omg what a joke of a book. When I saw it I didn’t want to touch it as I wasn’t buying it so I didn’t see the inside of it. You can get all of this info on the internet really easily! Plus how to wake up to your 9am lectures or how to not murder your housemates I mean cmon

 

[Katso]

So was he interested in the course or did he just want to go abroad? Cause it wasn't cancelled right? It was just moved online. I get that online teaching just isn't as appealing but it is how things are now. Also his reasons sounded like he just wanted abroad.

 

[Welshgal]

I have a screenshot of that picture and will not hesitate to send it to any future brands he’s working with. I’m sick of all the influencers who don’t obey rules. Would highly recommend doing the same (not just with Jack). Influencer’s like Jack should really learn not to piss off their “fans” as with out us they are nothing.

 

[3calico3]

I remember someone mentioning this (as mere speculation) that he might be a research assistant for Ali Abdaal's book. I guess they are right. Ali's PA uploaded a video where she and the rest of Ali's team (with Ali, of course) were on Zoom and Jack was there too.

I suppose a YouTuber working for another YouTuber makes a lot more sense than Jack being head-hunted by a 'civilian' author.

 

[Lola123]

Is that the only dedication?

What about the teachers that helped him along the way, his family or loved ones?

Or you know followers who have essentially given him the opportunity to do it in the first place!

 

[3calico3]

He’s not getting into oxford, they don’t think he suits them, that’s all there is too it, no matter what he does to his application etc, they’re looking for good fits to their style/the way they think, clearly he’s no accepted this, but if you’re rejected once, the chances are you’re going to be rejected the more times you apply, he needs to get over oxford, it’s not the be and end all, just go to another university, I’ve found the ex poly uni’s much better for employability and employer links which surely is what you want?

He said that the *oh so special, not found anywhere else* course only had, what, 6 places or something? For a small course at Oxford, he needs to be one of the most competitive Lit graduates out there, and he isn't. Presumably he applied with a predicted 1st, which he got, so he's not developed his application in the slightest. Plus, it will hinder him that he only got that 1st by the skin of his teeth. I bet he regrets faffing around and procrastinating so much on his exam prep/assignments now, but I guess he just wanted to seem rElAtAbLe.

 

[Lola123]

I reckon it’s vee who he’s helping on the “self help book” she’s just announced she’s writing a book with penguin

 

[DietGossip]

Interesting that he's deleting/privating all evidence of Oxford stuff - pretty sure that means he's been rejected. Next time he does a Q&A on Insta, at least one of us should submit that question.

Also took a look at his LinkedIn - when he said he was a research assistant in his recent video, I presumed it would be academic research (i.e. assisting with data collection/analysis etc.). Nope, it's basically assisting an author to find sources for a self-help book. The irony.

He also lists the StudyTube Project as a current project - pretty sure it's defunct now as the novelty of lockdown has worn off; the last upload to the official channel was over 3 months ago.

I think people forget that when employers look you up they can and will check these things- you just KNOW he'll have put the StudyTube project on his CV but when an employer checks it out they'll quickly see that he stopped doing it.

 

[Merpedy]

Don't know the deal with this Durham stuff and Jack specifically but as a fresher at Durham in one of the 'poshest' colleges I can say for sure that middle class people like Jack have a massive advantage, and find it far easier to fit in.

Also, first gen uni student really means nothing I imagine

 

[cookiesandcreeeeeem]

I agree to an extent. I just find his presentation style too try hard children's TV presenter ott/obnoxious YouTuber

I could defo see him as a children’s TV presenter tbh

 

[nrs264]

exactly....pretty much everyone knows Hermes reputation. Jack hasnt done his due diligence

 

[nrs264]

All of which are ideas as old as time. It amazes/amuses me that younger generations seem to think they are coming up with revolutionary and new ideas.

 

[not fussed at all]

Sorry, english isn't my first language, what's a 'social climber'?

Basically it's people who are just interested in becoming more "famous" and they usually hang around with popular people in order to do so. People like Carmie Sellitto (dating Kate Elizabeth I think) and Spencer Elmer are examples of social climbers

 

[nrs264]

Its mainly the same here, generally you want a grad scheme in place before you finish your final year and unis try and help you find one in your final year too. There are still graduate entry roles available now but they are few and far between.. not helped by covid

 

[nrs264]

Its worrying really that some so called influencer appears to know so little. either he is dumb or playing dumb for the camera. He is a uni graduate, he should be an adjusted adult now.

 

[r2020]

i agree. He seems obsessed with Oxford, but even if he were to reapply, I’m not sure how he could improve his application to make acceptance more likely. Nevertheless, I don’t think this will deter him. Surely he can’t continue applying indefinitely...

 

[3calico3]

The dislike function is really important for signposting if a video contains false information, poor commentary, or is generally a shitty video. This is yet another step in YouTube removing the voice of audiences on videos.

Exactly. I usually glance at the like to dislike ratio when I start watching any video, but especially videos which purport to contain advice, tutorials, or other recommendations. This means that StudyTube will be one of the areas that highly benefits for this 'new design'.