The Masterpiece I Never Heard Of

This podcast episode explores the crucial role of subject mastery and general mastery to avoid moments of inadequacy. It discusses incidents such as the "Aleppo moment" where knowledge gaps can be exposed, and the pressure to hide these gaps in graduate school. The episode also delves into the intense preparation and significance of oral preliminary examinations in a PhD program. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of surface details in demonstrating a deep understanding of a subject, using examples from the music world, including Olivier Messiaen's Tarangalila Symphony.