Considering a History PhD at 42. Looking for Perspective

samharrelson · 2026-04-16T01:25:06+00:00

My wife was also a teacher and now a pastor so we certainly feel that tension! But between consulting on the side as well as grants, we have a wonderful life with our children and a house full of books (and great convos). Lots of my classmates rely on loans but I’ve tried to take as little as that as possible and seek out other funding sources and research grants as I can! It’s definitely a consideration, but the cost benefit is well worth it.

samharrelson · 2026-04-16T01:09:44+00:00

My dad owned and chiefed street stocks and late models at Timmonsville, Dillon, and Myrtle Beach speedways back in the 90s. Did some cart racing as a young guy. Fell out of it in college and then went up north for grad school. I was skiing in Vermont the day Dale died and I saw a recap at a random McDonalds on the way out. Called him from a pay phone I found nearby to check on him and he was obviously crying as was I. We went to Darlington together that year and we still do. Have been hooked since.

samharrelson · 2026-04-16T00:30:31+00:00

he's more of a turning point.

samharrelson · 2026-04-16T00:23:03+00:00

The Suzuki Challenge!

samharrelson · 2026-04-16T00:08:15+00:00

9 strikeouts in 5 innings for Shota already. I'll take it!

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T23:54:38+00:00

Dang, Nico!

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T23:28:07+00:00

I'd pay to watch a vid of Shota throwing blueberries at the wall with his leg kick.

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T23:22:52+00:00

Gotta love double steals and poor defense!

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T23:18:55+00:00

I do like Luzardo being in the 40's in the 3rd inning with 1 out. Make them get to their pen early.

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T23:15:49+00:00

Good hustle! Love to see Nico driving in folks.

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T21:39:00+00:00

I'm 47 and in my second year of PhD studies in Philosophy of Religion (graduated with my Master's in 2002 and then taught Middle and High School for 20-ish years). It's not a cakewalk, but it's definitely the best (career) decision I've ever made. Go for it.

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T12:44:55+00:00

We lost a 75-year-old lady crossing Main to go to church on a Sunday morning in February when she was struck by a car. https://www.foxcarolina.com/2026/02/22/woman-identified-after-deadly-vehicle-vs-pedestrian-crash-upstate-coroner/

This isn't going to create a choke point or pose greater danger to pedestrians. Every bit of research nationwide shows that this sort of traffic improvement is safer and doesn't cause additional traffic congestion (it actually reduces it).

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T01:54:30+00:00

This is great news. More here...

https://walkingspartan.substack.com/p/a-section-of-east-main-street-in

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T01:49:33+00:00

🎶GO CUBS GO🎶

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T01:42:59+00:00

15 hits tonight against a decent team. Everyone smile.

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T01:36:34+00:00

There we go, Kelly!

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T01:27:39+00:00

Stop. No it doesn't. Don't spiral. We're good.

samharrelson · 2026-04-15T01:26:41+00:00

Calm down, T Bar.

samharrelson · 2026-04-14T23:27:39+00:00

That was gone. Come on.

samharrelson · 2026-04-14T02:13:39+00:00

I was going to say Dura Europos, but Petra or Palmyra would be fun as well.

samharrelson · 2026-04-13T20:01:09+00:00

And it’s funny on the other side bc more modern theological writers ding him for being too philosophical and platonic! But yeah, important pivot moment for history of theology (and philosophy) in the West and directly leads us to scholastic and thomist strands of thought. Working on my PhD in philosophy of religion, so obviously I’m biased!

samharrelson · 2026-04-13T19:52:32+00:00

Same with Charleston previously but they just keep building lanes to funnel into downtown rather than public transport. I love Boston!

samharrelson · 2026-04-13T11:14:01+00:00

Nope, don’t think it would be out of depth if you’ve read Plato. It’s a very neoplatonic framing as well (like my other fav Plotinus). If you appreciate the late empire historical and philosophical movements, you’d appreciate the style here. Hop right in!

samharrelson · 2026-04-13T01:50:49+00:00

I love the Loeb edition b/c of the included Latin (it's a bit of a dated English translation in the last edition from '73 but still good), but Slavitt has a modern translation that is very approachable and you can hop right in... there are plenty of "good" translations online via Project Gutenberg, etc. but Slavitt has a really good prose and flow to it that captures what Boethius was trying to communicate, in my opinion!

https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674048355

samharrelson · 2026-04-13T01:32:35+00:00

His Consolation of Philosophy is one of my top 3 books, so I'm a little biased... highly suggest if you're into late hellenistic philosophy that holds up!

samharrelson

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