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My son defended his PhD Thesis just a few days ago at Department of Culture, Cognition and Computation, Aarhus University. Above you see the front page of the Thesis and here below a poem I wrote and read to him. It is of course a personal text from a proud father, but also a text about being in transition as a new researcher. In that sense a snapshot of a situation, more people than he has been in. If you are curious about the front page, just write him and ask him. Enjoy the poem.


Doctor of Philosophy

On this troubled, blue, lonely planet
We need minds, that dare think far enough

You know, where the answers whisper
In the back of your head, insisting on being true

The world is still a colorful playground
But we need caring hands in every corner

That is where you come in, my young padawan
As the new breed of scientists, the newborn researcher

The brain isolated in a dark empty space
Needs art to move and poetry to make sense

Someone must show the connections
Between dots and dance, culture and change

It seems to be you, that has the task
Of running the machines and thoughts of the future

It seems to be you, with trembling hands
Who must start a lab of love, a new yellow submarine

You jump from city to city, talking in networks
Surfing our globe, your feet skating in the air

Next touchdown is ready, next challenge is close
Placed in the mountains, in your open mind, go for it

It happened a long time ago, that you raced past me
Telling your own stories of life and risk

But I am always close, not more than a word away
If you need a walk or a talk or a look at the sky

We salute you, warrior of the unknown
Enter your new title and forget about the brakes