Who's who or not?
April 13, 2010 6:22 PM Subscribe
How tacky is it to be included in a Who's Who list? And, how much of a big shot do you have to be in order to be included?
I got an email notifications saying that I've been nominated for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. I'm not a big name, or even a little name, in my field by any means.
So, my question is two-fold. If it really is as prestigious as the publication makes it sound, then I really don't have a chance of getting included, right? So should I even bother filling out the info? OR, if I pass the inspection and then am included, how tacky is that? Is this something that I can list on my C.V. without being laughed or sneered at?
I got an email notifications saying that I've been nominated for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. I'm not a big name, or even a little name, in my field by any means.
So, my question is two-fold. If it really is as prestigious as the publication makes it sound, then I really don't have a chance of getting included, right? So should I even bother filling out the info? OR, if I pass the inspection and then am included, how tacky is that? Is this something that I can list on my C.V. without being laughed or sneered at?
Almost certainly a scam.
posted by nestor_makhno at 6:26 PM on April 13, 2010
posted by nestor_makhno at 6:26 PM on April 13, 2010
While I'm sure that there are Who's-Who lists that aren't scams (or, since even the 'legitimate' ones survive on book sales, that there's a continuum of legitimacy), this is indeed a very common scam, and spiritual kin to the poetry-contest scam.
You've probably already seen it, but this Wikipedia article, especially the 'Selection Process' section, may be interesting.
posted by box at 6:28 PM on April 13, 2010
You've probably already seen it, but this Wikipedia article, especially the 'Selection Process' section, may be interesting.
posted by box at 6:28 PM on April 13, 2010
This other Wikipedia article goes as far as to say that Marquis is legitimate, but, if I were you, I'd probably still leave it off my C.V.
posted by box at 6:30 PM on April 13, 2010
posted by box at 6:30 PM on April 13, 2010
A quick round of Google-fu (I'm only a white belt), and a glance at box's Wiki, makes it look like Marquis Who's Who is legit to me. You might not be be a bigger name than you think (published lately? Been cited by someone?). Anyway, it's not like getting invited to summer in Newport with the Asters any more, but there are still people doing weird research that still look at those books for non-nefarious reasons. You can't get scammed if you don't give them any money (or any information you don't want out there.)
posted by Some1 at 6:51 PM on April 13, 2010
posted by Some1 at 6:51 PM on April 13, 2010
Response by poster: To clarify, I'm not asking whether this is a scam or not. It's the Marquis Who's Who, which is legit. (This is what the New York Times says about it: "The 60th edition of Who's Who in America, that venerable guide to American achievement, was published last week. The familiar two-volume ''big red book,'' a librarian's Vanity Fair, recognizes 109,000 people and, by their inclusion, recommends them to posterity and to America's collective memory. Kind of like a magazine cover that stays on the stands forever. "
So, tacky? Or should I submit my info in the hopes of being included? Or, not bother because it would be a waste of my time?
posted by jujube at 6:51 PM on April 13, 2010
So, tacky? Or should I submit my info in the hopes of being included? Or, not bother because it would be a waste of my time?
posted by jujube at 6:51 PM on April 13, 2010
Best answer: It seems to me that if you submit your info, you can help ensure it'll be accurate.
But if you list it on your C.V., you run the risk of having it read by people who think that all who's-who books are scams.
Buying a copy of the book for yourself, or otherwise giving them money, isn't even worthy of consideration.
posted by box at 6:58 PM on April 13, 2010
But if you list it on your C.V., you run the risk of having it read by people who think that all who's-who books are scams.
Buying a copy of the book for yourself, or otherwise giving them money, isn't even worthy of consideration.
posted by box at 6:58 PM on April 13, 2010
Best answer: That said, one criticism of who's-who books is that they sell your information to direct marketers, which might be a potential downside to responding to them at all.
posted by box at 7:06 PM on April 13, 2010
posted by box at 7:06 PM on April 13, 2010
You can probably get the same satisfaction from looking up yourself in the phone book. I don't think there's anything to be gained. Maybe 40 years ago, the sort of person who would look you up in Who's Who might be a valuable contact. Today? That's what Googling "jujube" is for.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 7:11 PM on April 13, 2010
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 7:11 PM on April 13, 2010
Is this something that I can list on my C.V. without being laughed or sneered at?
No. It's right down there with listing that you are a member of the National Geographic Society.
I don't think it's tacky to submit your info. Buying the book and keeping it on your coffee table, or bragging about it would be tacky. Disclaimer: I was once in a who's who of something, although I have forgotten what it was. I did not buy the book. Now you know my deep, dark secret.
Do you have a relative who will be pleased as punch if you are in the who's who? That's probably the only audience that will care one way or the other. Do protect them from being tricked into ordering the book.
posted by yohko at 8:16 PM on April 13, 2010
No. It's right down there with listing that you are a member of the National Geographic Society.
I don't think it's tacky to submit your info. Buying the book and keeping it on your coffee table, or bragging about it would be tacky. Disclaimer: I was once in a who's who of something, although I have forgotten what it was. I did not buy the book. Now you know my deep, dark secret.
Do you have a relative who will be pleased as punch if you are in the who's who? That's probably the only audience that will care one way or the other. Do protect them from being tricked into ordering the book.
posted by yohko at 8:16 PM on April 13, 2010
It's important to note that the people who compile the Marquis Who's Who are not the same people who compile the Who's Who lists like "Who's Who in American High Schools/Colleges/Veterinary Schools/Beanmakers"
This is a current list of the titles they publish. And Marquis Who's Who doesn't force you to (or even suggest that you) buy their book to be included - I feel that Who's Who books are more for reference materials rather than something you keep on your bookshelf.
disclaimer: I know someone who works for Marquis, and they tell me one of the most annoying things that happens to them is when people they meet tell them "OH I WAS IN WHO WHO'S HIGH SCHOOL." and they have to politely nod and pretend they've read their info.
posted by kerning at 10:10 PM on April 13, 2010
This is a current list of the titles they publish. And Marquis Who's Who doesn't force you to (or even suggest that you) buy their book to be included - I feel that Who's Who books are more for reference materials rather than something you keep on your bookshelf.
disclaimer: I know someone who works for Marquis, and they tell me one of the most annoying things that happens to them is when people they meet tell them "OH I WAS IN WHO WHO'S HIGH SCHOOL." and they have to politely nod and pretend they've read their info.
posted by kerning at 10:10 PM on April 13, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by HuronBob at 6:24 PM on April 13, 2010