An update on the octogenarian inventor I wrote about in my newsletter a while back: There is now a work permit on his door noting that he will be fireproofing the ceiling of his lab. 👍

@dancohen Good to hear that octogenarian can tinker on and make valuable contributions!

Esso… S.O.! Standard Oil! Now I get it.

@dancohen That can only mean good things! Now if I can work up the courage to quit my job and apply to be his assistant....

@ayjay There are only two pathways forward for both us in the coming decades: Professors Emeriti or Inventor's Assistants. The road less traveled…

@dancohen And if we choose the latter course, then, eventually, the highly coveted status of Inventor's Assistant Emeritus beckons to us...

@dancohen @ayjay, don't forget the noble professions of philosopher's clerk or secretary (though please don't quit your current positions any time soon):

What it would be like to be a philosopher’s clerk: “It’ll be a matter of filing the generalisations, tidying up paradoxes, laying out the premises before the boss gets in.” —Tom Stoppard

For five years he [Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)] served as personal secretary to, yes, Francis Bacon. In fact, I’ve noted over a course of years that the job of a secretary can be utterly fulfilling just in case one’s boss happens to be Francis Bacon. —Daniel N. Robinson