I also happen to think your reasoning makes sense (and it fits well with existing theory of innovation and disruption). Although it can be dangerous out on the edge, as many of us know, it’s also the only place interesting stuff happens.

For the first couple paragraphs I was wondering where you were going with this. Then it made sense. It’s the same concept as has been brought up in the discussions about the edupunk name. The mainstream is affected by the eddies and currents of the non-mainstream. Truth is you could say the non-mainstream is the experimental section with the mainstream as the accepted.

On a side note, I’ve found the idea that everything is coded in DNA absurd. Good to know that there is an accepted concept that describes that. Now it’s just a matter of getting the average Joe to understand the differences between mutations, adaptations and genetic shift. … What?! I can dream.

You say: “This has bothered me for some time. That my activities were in some way irrelevant to the University. That there was no real way for me to affect change, when my actions aren’t recognized, or even noticed, by traditional aspects of the enterprise.”

I think most people feel this some of the time, regardless of whether they are working ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ the institution/organisation. Don’t be too hard on yourself! 🙂