Spam by any other name is still spam

There is a special class of spam reserved especially for academics: the vanity award.

It’s difficult to imagine what these people think I might have done in 2013 to deserve being recognised as one of the Top 100 Educators in 2013, since apparently I have no PhD and they think I am still at my previous workplace which I left nearly two years ago, but, for the princely sum of US$540 (or $995 if I want the medal as well), I can have a beautiful certificate honouring my achievement … with a citation of my choice (provided it is 40 characters or fewer).

I think my self-respect is sufficient for my vanity.