I don't like assholes because they're not enough of an asshole
A bit of a rant.
I've been dealing and hearing about some assholerly behavior in academia lately. One thing I hate about assholes is that they usually flaunt their asshole-ness to those who can't fight back. Those that they have direct power over. Oh! But the minute it's their superior or it's an old guard in the field, then they play the charmer!
Usually assholes love to cry about how it's nature that made them into an asshole. As Nature passeth her gifts to her children, so doth she offer vices. How can they be criticized for their behavior if that is in their nature? I have to roll my eyes at people who are proud of this character flaw.
I find true assholes very brave... And very rare.
True assholes would not care about hierarchy or prestige. For the non-true assholes, it's funny how their asshole behavior disappears when they realize they're lower on the hierarchy. It's as if they could not be an asshole, but choose to be.
If you're proud of being an asshole, I beg you to introspect. Are you an asshole to everyone or those who can't fight back. If it's the former, then I absolve you. You are as nature madeth you.
If you're the latter. Fucking cut that out dude. It's super cringe.