Wouldn't We All Be Happier If We Didn't Have to Choose? The Problem with Academic Societies

I want you to ponder this question for a second:

"Freedom to choose ... or freedom from choice — which is more liberating?"

Good question, right? Let's talk about this, because it's important to your academic life.

Look, we all love having choices, but too much choice is actually paralyzing. It takes a lot of effort. It can be overwhelming.

Shop for toothpaste lately? This is what it looked like last time I was in CVS. And that's just for ONE brand!

My guess is you grab whatever you're used to getting. Point being: We AVOID choice because it makes us LESS free, not more. Let that sink in. So let's pivot this to what I normally write about (toothpaste is not my normal rant, as you know). Look, if choice is so great, then how come NONE of the other academic societies sound good to me, anymore? If you're a member of a different society (no judgment; I am, too), then I'll bet you joined simply to present or attend one of their academic conferences. Other than that, you don't really expect to receive any benefits from them.

And you do that because it's easier. It's your default setting as an academic. We blindly accept the status quo because it's easier, even if that status quo is expensive and exploitative. It saves time and effort. The status quo is what's expected of us.

There's nothing wrong with that, it's just human nature. But imagine the transformations we could make in academia if we actually expected real benefits from our society memberships?

I'm talking about a deliberate revolution that replaces our unconscious habits with conscious expectations of something better.

Do you see this? The challenge, of course, is to make that change to something better for researchers and academics.

Let's raise our standards and enjoy the freedom that comes from cutting ourselves off from expensive and exploitative academic societies. Here's what we offer instead:

• Priority Peer-Review and Publishing in SHERM Journal

• Priority Peer-Review and Publishing in GCRR Press Books

• Priority Peer-Review and Publishing Conference Papers/Presentations

• Free Digital Subscription to SHERM Academic Journal

• Eligible for “Resident Scholar” Position

• 40% Off Purchasing a Research Assistance Plan

• 40% Off Purchasing an Editing Assistance Plan

• 40% Off Purchasing a Research Assistance Plan

• 25% Off Purchasing Print Copy of SHERM Journal

• 25% Off Purchasing GCRR Press Paperbacks

• 75% Off Advertising Your Personal Website or Personal Publications on GCRR

• 25% Off Conference/Event Tickets

• Discount on Publishing Books with GCRR Press

• Eligible for GCRR Awards and Grants

• Free Attendance at GCRR Sponsored Webinars

• Free Access to Professional Development Training Videos

• Free Access to the Scholars Forum

• Network with Other Scholars and Researchers

I hope you'll consider joining the GCRR Academic Society and make an impact in the world by supporting researchers of religion around the globe. We promise you won't regret it. Sincerely,

Darren M. Slade, PhD

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