Exclusive RTK Interview: The hottest prof on ratemyprofessors.com

What better way to get everyone going on a Monday morning than an RTK scoop. Tearfree, who never stops looking for ways to improve her ratemyprofessors.com rating, has scored a major exclusive -- an interview with Steve Joordens, the University of Toronto psychology professor, who ranks number one on RMP's list of the 50 Hottest Professors in North America.

What's it like to be the hottest prof on RMP?

Kind of silly, but fun I guess. Makes for some good laughs for my students and family. I fully realize this is due largely to the fact that I teach such large classes, and that I actually use this site as a funny example in class.

How long have you been aware you’re number one?

One of my students mentioned it to me, maybe a few months ago. I don't think they used to have this listing -- the top 50 list -- at all in previous years.

Do you check up on your hotness status regularly?

I like to read the comments people write as that really gives me a sense of what my class is thinking, so I likely check that page once or twice a month during the term that I do most of my teaching. I usually peek at the Top 50 list when I check my ratings. Human nature I guess.

Are many people aware of your hotness status? Colleagues? Your dentist? People who just happen to google you and mention in passing, "Steve, I saw you're the number one hottest prof on RMP?"

Yeah, that happens. My previous or current students, or my colleagues will mention it. My oldest sister seems to find all this especially entertaining. She actually sent me some quote from your blog this morning, so she's even reading you because of me!

Ever had any other media coverage or is RTK the first to bring this Canadian success story to a wider audience?

NO, you're it so far!

Are you married?

Yes, very happily.

How does your wife feel about it?

She says things like "go get'em tiger!"

What about the university sexual harassment office? Are you subject to extra scrutiny due to your hotness rating?

No, not at all. I suspect that one of the reasons I get the peppers I do is because of how I talk about my wife and family in class. My wife works on campus and we still believe in doing things like holding hands as we walk together… and she and I have a rock band that plays on campus.

How would you describe your looks?

"Tall, dark and two out of three ain't bad!". Any of your viewers who
would like to see me in action giving a talk I feel passionately about, check out http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~psya01/AnimalLectureT2.rm. (Note: Tearfree couldn't get this link to work so let's hope Steve will be able to send another one)


How do you feel about being compared to Napoleon Dynamite?

Honestly, I have yet to see that movie although I have seen the character. When I grow my goatee out I sometimes get "Weird Al Yankovic" with one student even giving me a "Matthew McConaughey" (Yeah right!)

Tearfree’s hero is Jack Bauer. Have you got any Jack in you?

I'm taller, kinder, louder, perhaps more creative, less physical, less hairy, and more likely to try to convince the bad guys to see the bigger picture, rather than break their knuckles and spit in their faces…Of course, we're both good old Canadian boys

To what would you attribute your hotness ratings?

I teach many students, and I mention the site in class. In addition, I think I teach with passion and humour (I absolutely love teaching!) and I use examples the students can relate to.

There is another aspect as well. I teach live to 500 students, then Another 1000 watch my lectures as streaming video. There is something odd about seeing someone on TV or streaming video that gives them some sense of famousness that isn't there with a traditional lecture. When my online students see me in real life they literally seem excited and surprised, as though I were famous.

Do you encourage students to give you chili peppers?

No, not directly. There is no doubt that by mentioning the site in class I bring more people to the site than would otherwise be there. And perhaps by joking about the peppers I make it more likely they will give me one (I also like to joke that my percent of peppers is greater than the percent of females in my class, so I must also be attracting male votes, which is very cool.)

You're a psych prof. Can you assure us there's no mind control at work here?

Worse! I'm a psych prof with a history of research in subliminal perception. I bet everyone reading this discussion will soon be eating popcorn without knowing why!

What tips can you give the rest of us for improving our RMP hotness ratings?

Let me see. Maybe you could make up a fake name, degree and institution and convince everyone who reads your blog to give you peppers. Oh wait, that's been done.

Seriously though, if people want to be liked for who they are, regardless of looks, I suggest the following. Form opinions and be ready to communicate those opinions clearly and with passion. BUT, once your opinion is stated, listen carefully to other opinions and perspectives and be very willing to change your own opinion accordingly. That is, one should not confuse passion with an unwillingness to consider new information.

Being number one, are you worried about slipping down in the ranks? Number two, Hugo Schwyzer, is fiercely competitive.

I'm less worried about opportunities slipping away, more worried about using them to their maximum while they're here. Give me an audience, for any reason, and I will try my best to use it.

Last word to you…

I think the Red Hot Chili Peppers should invite me and my wife backstage at one of their concerts in recognition of our common Chili Pepper fame.
Final final word: All these peppers are nice, but really there is only one person whose opinion of my attractiveness really matters to me, and she treats me like Jalapeño. Thanks babe, I love ya.

Note to readers: Tearfree edited this interview, cutting down the length and rearranging a few questions. If there are any typos or other errors, please blame Tearfree and not Steve, who was a total mensch about all this. Honestly, it's no wonder the guy is number one (even if the 1,500 students give him a big head start over Tearfree who doesn't even have 150, but let's not go there...)