The Chronicle of Higher Eduction has a good piece, by which I mean I agree with it, about over production of stuff in literary studies, often at the expense of teaching. Mark Bauerlein the author raises several good points about the over emphasis on publishing, which comes at the expense of teaching. Since the pursuit of tenure leads to so much publication, much what is created is pretty pointless and devaluates what is worth publishing. The comments are instructive, because as someone outside the academy they look more like the people trying to justify their positions.