Tenacious Stereotypes and Inflated Expectations. Review of the Book “Admiring the Academic Class: Reflection of the Social History of Soviet Science in Literature, Art and Public Rhetoric” by K. Frumkin

Abstract

The review notes the significance of the monograph. In his book, the cultural studies scholar Konstantin Frumkin has collected unique materials on the evolution of the theme of science and scientists in Soviet (Russian) culture throughout the 20th century. The author develops two parallel story lines. The first line presents an analysis of the historical development of Russian science in the 20th century. The second line presents a detailed list of templates and stereotypes of the academic environment that have developed in art. It is shown that the most widespread and iconic in Soviet art is the representation of the positive character of scientist as a self-sacrificing enthusiast. Other stereotypes under discussion include scientists’ self-sacrifice and their fighting qualities which allow them to resist impostors in science. The themes of struggle with academic plagiarism and careerism were developed. Under the sign of state impatience and inflated expectations, the obligatory theme of the connection between science and production was elaborated. An important conclusion is drawn about the tenacity of stereotypes which were not hindered by the evolution of Soviet society’s attitude to science.